Title
Consideration of Restarting In-Person Meetings for County Council and Board/Commissions
Recommended Action
I move that Council direct staff to initiate plans for restarting in-person meetings of the Council at its May 18 work session, and that staff work with the County's Boards/Commissions to phase in similar in-person meetings by July 30, 2021.
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I further move that Council direct staff to develop means for public comment to continue to be accepted via Zoom, and that such distance opportunities be made available for Board and Commission meetings as well.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council consider restarting in-person meetings.
Body
The County discontinued in-person meetings in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing virtual meeting options since that time. With the observed reduction in the number of new cases reported in numerous jurisdictions (local, state, and national), as well as Los Alamos' current "turquoise" status within the state's reopening framework, a discussion regarding if/when to restart in-person meetings is warranted. The purpose of this agenda item is to allow Council to discuss whether and when they may direct staff to alter the format of future Council and Board/Commission meetings.
There are several additional items to consider as well, including whether to continue with Zoom interactions, if so - how will this apply to members of the Council/Board/Commission, and what will be the process for public comment. Staff recommends that if the decision is made to host meetings in-person, that initially all such meetings occur in Council Chambers due to investments in PPE, the size of the room, and planned needs for room 110. This location could then be reconsidered once restrictions are further lifted and the anticipated construction project is complete.
Alternatives
Council could either postpone the implementation of in-person meetings or postpone a decision on the...
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