MIN 03-16-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4. Health& Human Services Committee report regarding meeting held March 16, 2020. (to be provided) President O'Malley made a motion, seconded by Vice President Litten to defer. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. The report was deferred. ****NEW BUSINESS**** 5. Communication from President O'Malley regarding National League of Cities conference. (pg. 3) President O'Malley made a motion, seconded by Vice President Litten to receive and file the communication. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. The communication was received and filed. 6. Communication from Councilmember Kepple and President O'Malley regarding emergency meeting cancellations and changes. (pg. 4) President O'Malley made a motion, seconded by Vice President Litten to receive and file the communication. Discussion: Councilmember Bullock sought clarification that the intent of the ordinance was not to make changes to meeting laws routine rather than the exception, for instance only when there are declared emergencies. Councilmember Kepple stated that limiting public interaction via virtual means would only be under an emergency. She also added that it gives Council the ability to follow a regular procedural vote to cancel meetings in the future. Councilmember Bullock expressed hesitancy to limit public involvement in meetings and to conduct them online. President O'Malley shared similar feelings but also expressed his view that Council has an overriding duty to protect the public health by limiting gatherings at meetings during the ongoing crisis. President O'Malley and Director Corrigan clarified that Council has the authority to make the change to the city code based on Ohio's Sunshine Laws. Director Corrigan noted that the Law Department had several conversations with the Ohio Attorney General who loosened public meetings law requirements during this time of crisis. Councilmember Neff noted that the Office of the Attorney General has offered to join as an amicus on behalf of the municipality if a city were to be sued for a violation of the Open Meetings Act at this time. It was clarified that a meeting has to be live streamed and available at the time it is occurring in order to comply with public records law. Mayor George further clarified that this ordinance is only necessary when a state of emergency has been called. Councilmember Bullock sought to further define the term "streaming" in the legislation to include two-way communication that enables the public to ask questions.