Title
An Ordinance Approving a New Section of the City Code Governing Procedural Rules for Public Meetings and Public Hearings Conducted by Video Conference.
(Note: First read by Council on June 8, 2021. Passed by unanimous vote.)
Body
Issue/Request:
An ordinance to establish procedural rules for meetings which are held by video conference, during emergency and non-emergency periods.
Key Issues:
Rules for conducting meetings by video conference.
Proposed City Council Motion:
I move for adoption of an Ordinance Approving a New Section of the City Code Governing Procedural Rules for Public Meetings and Public Hearings Conducted by Video conference.
I move for adoption of An Ordinance Approving a New Section of the City Code Governing Procedural Rules for Public Meetings and Public Hearings Conducted by Video conference.
Background:
During the Covid pandemic, the City was required by County emergency orders to conduct public meetings by video conference. During the Covid emergency, Mayor Baird approved an emergency order which adopted a set of rules governing the conduct of public hearings by video conference while the emergency declaration was in effect.
City staff has modified the rules set forth in the Mayor's emergency order to make them more broadly applicable to all public meetings that are held by video conference, rather than just public hearings held by video conference.
Impact/Analysis:
This ordinance will establish a set of rules in the City Code that are generally applicable to all public meetings that are held by video conference. The new Code section will apply to the City Council, Council Committees and all boards and commissions (each a "body") of the City which are subject to the Sunshine Law. The new Code section provides each body with the opportunity to select the method of holding each meeting, and requires the chair of each body to coordinate with City staff to conduct the meeting by the selected method.
Timeline:
This C...
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