City Council Minutes 2020 05 26 SP

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City Council Meeting Minutes May 26, 2020 Page 6 of 11 minimize the number of in -person meetings. She noted that legislative bodies are exempt from the 10 person limit. After considering a large number of ideas and requirements staff is recommending that when the time comes for in -person hearings they be broadcast meetings (Channel 8 and web stream) that also have a phone-in option for public comments. Staff has ordered the equipment necessary to broadcast from the Recreation Center should Council Chambers be too small a room to use. Staff looked closely at if a Zoom component could be integrated into an in -person meeting and determined there are technical issues. The phone-in option, however, allows people to stay home and watch the meeting and still participate in the meeting. This option is one way to make people feel safe while still participating. Additionally, if the Council were to meet in the Recreation Center (in either the Brooks/Crown Room or the Gym) there would be enough space to allow some people to participate in person. Using this option all of the standard Council processes will still apply. Public comments would be limited to specific times on the agenda and everyone who is interested can have a chance to speak (either in person or on the phone) for three minutes. Many logistical details still need to be worked out for this and staff does not foresee a shift to this process in the immediate future. It should be noted that having City Council meetings in -person does not resolve the issue regarding those items that are subject to referendum. The current Safer at Home public health order does not prohibit circulation of referendum petitions, but recommended social distancing practices may present practical difficulties. Council should take this into consideration when the City is ready to proceed with in -person meetings. The Legal Review Committee discussed this item at their May 20 meeting and recommended the City Council consider the in -person meetings for public hearings, except for those matters subject to referendum. Councilmember Leh stated the Legal Committee really did not have a strong recommendation but wanted the Council to discuss this quickly. Councilmember Brown stated he hears from residents who do not have the technological ability to join electronic meetings; they would prefer an in -person option. In -person meetings would enhance transparency and allow work to continue. Councilmember Fahey noted many people really like the electronic meetings so they don't have to attend in -person. Councilmember Brown stated the Committee would support in -person meetings for those items subject to referendum once petition circulating could happen safely.