By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Assembly members on Tuesday agreed to consider code changes that would allow continuance of remote participation at meetings.
The rules were loosened during the pandemic, but on Tuesday, City Clerk Sara Peterson asked for direction now that Assembly members usually are at the meetings and most of the public comment is in person.
“We made some concessions during COVID for telephonic participation,” Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz said. “And now that we are not under an emergency order, Sara’s and my desire is to get back to more in line with code. And if the Assembly is not liking where code is, then we change codes so that we are more in line with it.”
Peterson in a memo and at the meeting reviewed Alaska Statutes and Sitka General Code which allow Assembly members to participate by phone if they notify the clerk by 4 p.m. the Friday before a Tuesday meeting, or 12 hours before a special meeting.
Other provisions are that:
– Presiding is not allowed by phone.
– Roll call votes are required.
– Telephonic participation at any Assembly meeting is limited to four times a year, and no more than two consecutive meetings.
Current rules for public participation also have been loosened during the pandemic. The code says:
– any member of the public not present in Sitka during an Assembly meeting and who wants to participate may request to participate.
– members of the public shall provide the clerk with a contact number for teleconference participation by 4 p.m. the Monday before the Assembly meeting, or 12 hours before a special meeting.
The Assembly in August 2020 passed an emergency ordinance that provided exemptions from the limits on in-person attendance. Many in the public, including Assembly members, were following recommendations to limit in-person contact, particularly before vaccines were available.
“The current use of telephonic and video-conference participation does not align with Sitka General Code; in particular, public participation by telephone,” Peterson said. “Exceptions were allowed when emergency declarations were in place due to the pandemic. Those emergency declarations have expired.”
She also spoke of some of the additional technical help needed with remote participation.
Peterson presented a few recommendations, including:
– allowing Zoom attendance when an Assembly member can’t attend in person.
– amending the code to change notification time from 4 p.m. on Friday to Monday.
– amending the code to allow remote attendance during emergency situations (e.g. pandemic)..
– getting more IT help for Zoom at meetings.
– changing the rules for public participation by phone.
Assembly members had varying opinions on what direction to take, but agreed that the Assembly should align with the code, and that more technical help should be available if the Assembly wants to continue its current level of remote participation.
Kevin Knox, Crystal Duncan and Kevin Mosher agreed to work on an ordinance to put to the Assembly.
Assembly members stressed the importance of their attending in person, although a point was raised that Zoom has opened new possibilities for participation.
“I would like to see the window open a bit more for telecommunication, for Zoom,” Thor Christianson said. “It works. It’s a whole lot better than being on a phone – not as good as being there in person, but I’d like to leave that as an option.”
Eisenbeisz said he’s concerned about regular attendance via Zoom, instead of just under special or emergency circumstances.
“I don’t think that does the people who show up at the meeting the justice of being able to see us and talk with us,” he said.
Knox’s preference was to get back to adhering to the current code, but he favored updates to replace teleconference participation with videoconferencing. “The public deserves as much contact with us as possible when we’re deliberating,” he said.
On the issue of public participation in meetings, Crystal Duncan said there are advantages to allowing the public to participate by phone, and not requiring them to testify in person.
“The pandemic is by no means over,” she said. “I think there are people who right now feel comfortable calling in as opposed to showing up in a room full of people. ... I know we’re not going to immediately make changes that go into effect so they can no longer do that, especially when we’re in high (COVID alert), which we are.”
She’s concerned the Assembly may limit public access by requiring people to show up in person, which can be a “nerve-wracking” experience. She also discussed how Zoom has increased options for participation.
“I’m in favor of providing that support that’s needed so that we can keep the line of access to their local government open,” Duncan said.
Other Assembly members expressed support for upgrades and personnel help if they decide to change the code and allow for more remote participation, either by phone or video.
Code changes would be presented as ordinances and require two readings.
