Agenda Date: 07/20/2021
Subject:
Title
Discussion on possible amendments to City Council's Legislative Rules as a result of lessons from the Pandemic
Body
Prepared By:
Mark Relph, City Manager
PURPOSE:
Discussion and direction for potential changes to the City Council's Legislative Rules
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Mark Relph, City Manager,
Reid Betzing, City Attorney
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
The city council has adopted legislative rules (Rules) that in part ". . . , shall govern all meetings and proceedings of the city council, boards, commissions, and authorities and the order of business, and the conduct of the mayor, city council and board and commission members and persons in attendance at such meetings1."
This briefing by staff and subsequent discussion and direction by council is intended to review a series of issues including continuation of electronic or telephonic meetings (e.g. Zoom, Teams Meetings, or a hybrid meetings that include in-person and electronic) and under what conditions. If there is direction to make changes, then staff would return at a future regular meeting to consider formal action.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
On March 20, 2020 city council amended the Rules to allow for city council to appear electronically and telephonically in the event of a public emergency and to limit public comment.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
The city council amended the Rules in March of 2020 to allow for electronic meetings and thereby maintain continuous operations of the city during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are now in a period of transition back to pre-pandemic operation. This briefing and discussion is intended to reflect back to the time of the pandemic and discuss what lessons have we learned with electronic meetings and communications and whether there is a future for such practices and if so, under what conditions.
It is important to remember that the action the council may consider would then be extended to al...
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