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City Council Legal Review Committee <br />Meeting Minutes <br />May 6, 2020 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />distancing, and alternative ways to take public input. Staff is looking for feedback <br />from the Committee and recommendations for City Council. <br />City Attorney Kelly stated the City needs to be mindful that any action the City <br />takes that could be perceived as restricting people from speaking at a public <br />hearing could be problematic. <br />Councilmember Leh noted Council adopted a rule on this in April and we are <br />currently following that. These are unprecedented times and certain things need <br />to proceed, we are trying to figure out a way to do it. <br />Councilmember Leh stated he can't foresee an easy set of recommendations to <br />give back to Council on this item given the lack of information from the State at <br />this time. <br />Councilmember Brown stated he prefers some kind of hybrid meeting with both <br />in -person and electronic participation, but we can't even do that right now with <br />the 10-person limit. <br />City Attorney Kelly stated currently even the limitation of 10 people at gatherings <br />is not clear and there are varying interpretations of this. It is also not clear if this <br />applies to governing bodies. We will need more information before moving <br />forward with anything. <br />City Manager Balser stated she has heard there may be an exemption for public <br />hearings; but it is hard to know if people will feel comfortable attending a <br />meeting. She also noted the City is setting a public example and should be <br />cautious in this approach. She stated other cities are planning to go back to in - <br />person when the allowed group size goes up to 50 people. <br />Councilmember Fahey stated there are possibilities of in -person meetings in a <br />large room with social distancing. <br />Councilmember Brown stated scheduling people for public comment is an option. <br />Councilmember Leh asked what the impacts are if we postpone this discussion <br />until June. City Manager Balser stated that at this time do have some land use <br />issues subject to referendum that are cannot move through the Planning <br />Commission and City Council processes. <br />Councilmember Leh stated he doesn't think Council is interested in changing the <br />regulation about not holding public hearings on items subject to referendum at an <br />electronic meeting. Councilmember Brown and Councilmember Fahey agreed. <br />Public Comments <br />3 <br />