Council approves temporary move of library polling place to St. Brigid's Church, staff to notify voters

The River Falls City Council voted Dec. 9 to approve a resolution temporarily relocating the River Falls Public Library polling location to St. Brigid's Church for upcoming elections.

The council opened and closed a public hearing on the resolution and then approved a motion to accept the change. City administrator clarified that because the action is a resolution (not an ordinance), the hearing held that evening satisfies statutory public-hearing requirements; staff said the city is required to mail notice to each registered voter and will also use the city's website and social media to communicate the change.

Council members asked whether additional community input opportunities were available; staff said no further public hearings are scheduled for the resolution but that the city will use mailing and online channels to notify voters. Staff also noted timing requirements for polling-place changes, telling the council that the change must be finalized at least 30 days before the election to meet statutory deadlines. City staff acknowledged some residents' concerns about the perception of voting in a church but said St. Brigid's had agreed to the necessary accommodations and dates.

City administrator said: "This is considered the public hearing that satisfies the requirement of the statute that we are doing the additional steps to notify voters." The council approved the resolution by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The city clerk and staff will mail the required notices to registered voters and publish additional information on the city's communication channels ahead of the affected election(s).