Commissioners Court - Regular Session

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31.

Meeting Date:	09/28/2010
Submitted For:	Mary Clark	Submitted By:	Mary Clark, Commissioner Pct. #1
Department:	Commissioner Pct. #1

Information

Agenda Item

Discuss and consider possible action regarding the placement of political signage around the J. B. & Hallie Jester Williamson County Annex, located at 1801 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock during the times that the annex is being used as an early voting and election day polling location.

Background

The Williamson County Jester Annex, located within the city of Round Rock, will be an early voting and election day polling location. The Anderson Community Room in the main annex will be the actual voting site, but the county owns about 25 acres around the two buildings. The public safety building houses EMS and the Sheriff’s Office and is adjacent to the Jester Annex. Additionally, the constable’s office is located in the main annex. Emergency and law enforcement vehicles use the parking lot and often need to exit the area quickly

Additionally, there is an underground sprinkler system.

Also, there is quite a bit of property along the street that is City of Round Rock’s Right of Way.

We would like to clearly define where political signs will be permitted to ensure smooth operations at the annex as well as allow for reasonable electioneering at the polling location. It will only be permitted during the time that the property is being used as a polling location (October 18 – November 2 this year). We need to limit it to areas that do not interfere with the emergency and law enforcement vehicles or the sprinkler system. There are also the requirements that all signs must be at least 100 feet from the entrance to the polling location, and not in the city’s Right of Way.

Attached is a map of the property. The areas shaded in red are the areas in which we would propose to not allow campaign signage.

The attached letter and map were sent to the Democratic Chairman, Gregory Windham and GOP Chairman, Bill Fairbrother on September 13. A follow up email was sent on Sept. 22nd reminding the chairmen that if they had any concerns or questions regarding the proposed rules and regulations to please contact Mary Clark, in Commissioner Birkman's office.

To date we have not received any objections.

We recommend the court approved the rules and regulations as well as the areas designated in the attached map.

Fiscal Impact

From/To	Acct No.	Description	Amount

Attachments
RR Annex Signage Map
Letter - Political Signage

Form Review

Inbox	Reviewed By	Date
County Judge Exec Asst.	Wendy Coco	09/24/2010 09:26 AM
Form Started By: mclark		Started On: 09/22/2010 01:48 PM
Final Approval Date: 09/24/2010