KALAMAZOO, MI — The Kalamazoo City Commission voted to approve a resolution to allow electronic meetings to continue through August.
The city commission approved a resolution to declare a local emergency due to the COVID-19 epidemic and permit the commission and all other city of Kalamazoo public bodies to continue to meet electronically through Aug. 31, 2021.
The city commission heard the measure on first reading at the 5 p.m. March 15 Committee of the Whole meeting, and approved the resolution at its regular business meeting at 7 p.m. later that same day.
The city’s agenda states that guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says restricting the scope of public gatherings is a key component to arresting the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its variants.
Michigan law clearly permits local municipalities to take steps to protect the health and safety of residents.
The city said an amendment to the Open Meetings Act permitted electronic meetings through much of 2021, but the permission expires after March 30, 2021.
“The proposed resolution mirrors what other Michigan municipalities either have already done or are contemplating doing, given the uncertainty that the Legislature will act by the end of this month,” the city agenda packet states.
The declaration issued by the mayor of Traverse City and consented to by that community’s city commission served as the template for the resolution presented Monday, the agenda states.
During discussion Monday, Commissioner Chris Praedel and others talked about protecting the safety of city staff, elected officials and residents.
“What about the people who are afraid to come to meetings?” Praedel said, wondering if some people would avoid in-person meetings because of the amount of people being in a room together. He believes more people would opt out of participation if they had to come to a meeting to comment.
Currently, residents can call to leave a voice recording of a comment to be played to the public during electronic commission meetings.
Holding electronic meetings is a move to keep people safe, Praedel said.
“Even if they don’t care about their own safety, I care about their safety,” Praedel said.
Resident Jeff Messer has asked the city commission to change to reestablish meetings with some form of public presence, suggesting a few ideas such as hybrid meetings or outdoor meetings. He called in again on Monday to leave a message for commissioners and to ask for changes.
Commissioner Jack Urban mentioned the idea of having hybrid meetings, which could be become permanent.
Officials briefly talked about the idea of using a tent to hold outdoor meetings. Commissioner Erin Knott said she was against the tent idea and urged people to wait a few more months once more people are vaccinated in the interest of keeping people safe.
Read more:
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Kalamazoo approves measure to continue electronic meetings due to COVID-19 pandemic - mlive.com
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