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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3944 Resolution - Remote Meeting ParticipationRESOLUTION NO. 3944 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PASCO CREATING A POLICY FOR CITY COUNCIL AND CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO ALLOW FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS AT PUBLIC MEETINGS DURING A DECLARED EMERGENCY OR WHEN OTHER SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES OCCUR. WHEREAS, on January 21, 2020, Washington's State Department of Health (WDOH) confirmed the first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States in Snohomish County, Washington, and local health departments and the WDOH have since that time worked to identify, contact, and test people in Washington who have been potentially exposed to COVID-19 in coordination with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and WHEREAS, COVID-19, a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death, is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus that had not been previously identified in people and can easily spread from person to person; and WHEREAS, the CDC identifies the potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 both globally and in the United States as "high" and has advised that person-to-person spread of COVID-19 will continue to occur globally, including within the United States; and WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Azar declared a public health emergency for COVID-19, beginning on January 27, 2020; and WHEREAS, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed a statewide State of Emergency on February 29,2020; and WHEREAS, "remote attendance" is consistent with RCW 42.30 Open Public Meetings Act, for Council Members, Board Members and Commission Members to appear at regular or special meetings via videoconferencing or telephone. WHEREAS, the City of Pasco recognizes a need for a policy to outline how it will continue to conduct City business in an efficient and orderly manner and with regard to the health and safety of elected and appointed officials, City staff and the general public. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON: That the newly created Administrative Order, attached as Exhibit A, will provide the guidelines when the City will conduct remote participation of meetings, and Resolution: Remote Meeting Participation - 1 Be It Further Resolved, that the remote participation of City meetings policy will be effective upon approval of this resolution. PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington this 16th day of March, 2020. Saul Martinez Mayor ATTEST: Debra Barham, CMC City Clerk Resolution: Remote Meeting Participation - 2 APPROVED AS TO FORM: Kerr son Law, PLLC Cit ttorney EXHIBIT A CITY OF PASCO ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER Administrative Order No. ### City Council / CitG Boards & Commissions Subject: Remote Meetings Participation Initial Effective Date: March 49. 2020 Revised Approved This Administrative Order was approved by Council on by Resolution No. 40. I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to provide a method for the City of Pasco's Council and its Boards & Commissions to continue to conduct City business and meet remotely for regularly scheduled and special meetings when one or more members cannot appear in person. II. REFERENCES: • RCW 42.30 Open Public Meetings Act • Open Public Meetings Act General Guidance from the Office of the Attorney General Regarding the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19,) Event. March 6, 2020 III. POLICY: The Council recognizes the benefits of the fullest practicable attendance and participation by its members. This policy provides guidance consistent with RCW 42.30 Open Public Meetings Act, for Council Members, Board Members and Commission Members to appear at regular or special meetings via videoconferencing or telephone ("remote attendance") in limited circumstances. Remote attendance is intended to be an infrequently used alternative method of participation by Council Members and Staff. Conditions that may warrant remote meeting participation may include, but are not limited to: • When a Proclamation of Emergency has been issued by the City, State or Federal Government; or • Other circumstances that make it impossible or inadvisable to physically appear at a Council Meeting, such as illness, inclement weather, dangerous road conditions. When any person is permitted to attend or participate remotely, a speakerphone shall be available at the meeting location or other designated physical location where the public can attend to listen to the discussion. The remote participant must be able to hear, be heard, and participate effectively in the meeting to comply with the OPMA. During any meeting that a Council Member is attending via remote communication, the Council, Board or Commission presiding officer shall state for the record that a particular Member is attending via remote communication and the reasons for such attendance. For purposes of voting, remote attendance shall be considered equal to physical attendance. All voting shall be by roll call vote. Participants appearing via remote attendance shall comply with all rules and procedures as if they were physically present at the meeting. In the case of Executive Sessions, the Council, Board, or Commission may permit remote participation on a case-by-case basis only when the Council, Board, or Commission considers such participation to be necessary and when the Council, Board, or Commission is confident in the security of such remote communications. Remote participation may be by telephone conference call and/or online web conferencing, with access information provided to participating Councilmembers, Board Members, Commission Members, City staff and members of the public at least 24 hours in advance of a regularly scheduled meeting, when possible. In the event of an emergency, if there is a need for expedited action by a governing body to meet the emergency, the notice requirements may be suspended pursuant to RCW 42.30.070. IV. DEPARTMENTS AFFECTED: All.