Title
Resolution to Continue Electronic Meetings for Certain City Boards and Commissions
Staff
Prepared by: John Fournier, Deputy City Administrator
Reviewed by: Christopher Frost, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, On November 15, 2021 the City Council adopted resolution R-21-418 in response to changes in the Michigan Open Meetings Act and the pressing public health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas, During the pandemic the City of Ann Arbor has demonstrated that remote working, remote meeting, and remote public meetings can increase efficiency, productivity among workers, and satisfaction among staff and members of the public;
Whereas, Per City Council Resolution R-642-11-91 City boards, task forces, commissions, committees and their subcommittees are required to hold their meetings open to the public to the best of their abilities in the spirit of Section 3 of the Open Meetings Act;
Whereas, Certain City boards, commissions, and other bodies are not subject to the Open Meetings Act except through City Council resolution R-642-11-91; and
Whereas, City Council believes that electronic meetings conform to the spirit of Section 3 of the Open Meetings Act by allowing real-time public attendance and participation in public meetings;
RESOLVED, That City Council confirms that electronic meetings conform to the spirit of section 3 of the Open Meetings Act for purposes of City Council Resolution R-642-11-91, provided that electronic meetings continue to allow real-time public attendance and participation;
RESOLVED, That as of the date of adoption of this resolution, the City and City-affiliated boards, commissions, and bodies on the list attached to this resolution are required to continue to meet in person in compliance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act, and all other City boards, commissions, and bodies shall continue to meet electronically;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator, in consultation with the City Attorney, may modify the attached list as deemed appropriate or required by law;
RESOLVED, That the requirements of resolution R-21-418 that persons appointed by the City to a board, commission, or other body show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or receive an exemption in the same manner as City employees prior to attending an in-person meeting as a member of the body in a City building or facility, and that failure to do so shall constitute cause for removal from the body by the appointing authority shall remain in effect until June 20, 2023.
RESOLVED, That Members of City Council must show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or receive an exemption in the same manner as if they were City employees;
RESOLVED, That this resolution shall be implemented in a manner to preserve the ability of the public to attend and participate in public electronic meetings of City boards, commissions, and other bodies in real time in the spirit of Section 3 of the Open Meetings Act;
RESOLVED, That beginning June 20, 2023, City boards, commissions, and other bodies required to meet electronically may meet in person no more than four times annually at a regular or special meeting, and that said meetings must be scheduled and approved in advance by a vote of the subject board, commission, or other body, and in accordance with procedures established by the City Administrator or designee;
RESOLVED, That this resolution supersedes and replaces resolution R-21-418 in its entirety; and
RESOLVED, That the City Council directs the City Administrator to implement this resolution.
Attachment: List of City and City-Affiliated Boards, Commissions, and Other Bodies to Continue to Meet in Compliance with the OMA after June 5, 2023