Title
Resolution to Require Masks at City Council Meetings
Body
Whereas, Amendments to the Michigan Open Meetings Act require City Council to return to in-person meetings starting January 1, 2022;
Whereas, Community transmission of COVID-19 remains high in Washtenaw County; and
Whereas, Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that even fully vaccinated people can further reduce their risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and transmitting it to others by wearing a mask indoors in public in areas of substantial or high community transmission;
RESOLVED, That, in order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, protect the health of meeting attendees, minimize the possibility of disrupting the meeting, and thereby promote public participation by creating a safer meeting environment, City Council hereby establishes the regulation that all in-person attendees at City Council meetings are required to wear a mask;
RESOLVED, That the type of mask required and how it must be worn shall be consistent with the order by the CDC titled Requirement for Persons To Wear Masks While on Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs, with an effective date of February 1, 2021, as from time to time amended, along with all supplemental guidance issued by the CDC;
RESOLVED, That, to ensure full participation of the public in City Council meetings, the City Administrator is directed to provide free masks for attendees at City Council meetings, to establish a mechanism for the public to comment remotely without entering City Hall, and to establish an area within City Hall where unmasked persons can watch City Council meetings live and provide comment; and
RESOLVED, That this regulation shall be adopted and published as a temporary Council Rule until rescinded or modified by City Council.
Sponsored by: Mayor Taylor and Councilmembers Eyer, Disch, Griswold and Radina