Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/25/2021

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conditions and comfort levels at that time rather than linking it to restrictions. He suggested this be reviewed in 90 days. • Councilmember Musgrove commented that being vaccinated is a medical issue. She stated that it is the choice of an individual as to whether to be vaccinated and the City cannot require proof. • Deputy City Administrator Gladhill commented that the City is not going to ask individuals whether they have been vaccinated and it would be more based on the comfort level of individuals. • Mayor Kuzma confirmed the consensus of the Council to reevaluate this in 90 days. He noted that there also seems to be interest in continuing to allow public participation remotely but recognized that would place an additional burden on staff and resources that would need to be discussed in the future in terms of budgeting and allocation of resources. • Councilmember Musgrove asked if the Commission members participating remotely still receive a stipend. • Administrative Services Director Lasher commented that most Commission members receive a stipend of $25 per meeting but a large number of members waive that payment. She noted that those members are using their own equipment to attend remotely. • Councilmember Woestehoff referenced Section G, under exceptions, and stated that perhaps language be added that allow a Commission or Council member to attend remotely if they have a medical condition. He noted that would get away from the linkage to the pandemic. • Councilmember Specht commented that it is important that people attend in person under normal circumstances. • Deputy City Administrator Gladhill stated that there are rules around remote participation under normal circumstances outside of a pandemic and reviewed those guidelines. • City Administrator Ulrich stated that because of the pandemic the State is reviewing rules for remote attendance and there will likely be changes coming down in the future. He stated that staff will bring this back for evaluation in three months. Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: Each board and commission at the City utilizes remotely attendance slightly differently. Each individual Councilmember or Commissioner has their own level of comfort attending in person during the pandemic. The City Council previously agreed to allow attendance flexibility to remain. This is, however, an appropriate time to discuss parameters post -pandemic. It is Staffs assumption that the City Council will want to place some limitations on usage; somewhere between where we are today and the more restrictive policy that existed before the pandemic. As a starting point for discussion, Staff would recommend (post -pandemic) to increase the number of times per year to 3 times per year (matches guidance in Statute) and allow up to 2 board members to attend remotely at the same time. Other Considerations 1. Staff Remote Attendance 2. Applicant Remote Attendance 3. Public Remote Attendance Staff Remote Attendance Staff has found efficiency in allowing Staff to attend remotely. Instead of requiring a couple hours of 'dead time' waiting for meetings, Staff can pop in for a shorter amount of time and only focus on their case presentation. Staff would ask for consideration to allow limited Staff remote attendance post -pandemic. Webcams would be required (cannot join via phone only). Applicant Remote Attendance Remote attendance has been especially beneficial to out-of-town Developers. Previously, out-of-town Applicants needed to incur travel expenses for short presentations. Especially for Development Proposals, the process may require 4-6 separate public meetings. Staff would ask for consideration to allow Applicants to join remotely. Webcams would be required (cannot join via phone only). Public Remote Attendance This aspect of remote attendance is the most challenging, especially for official Regular Meetings where formal