Fiscal Note
Costs associated with facilitating meetings electronically will funded through the Information Technology budget. At this time implementation costs are unknown and may be addressed with a future budget appropriation.
Title
Amending Section 2.15(1) of the Madison General Ordinances allowing members of the Common Council, unable to attend a meeting in person, the ability to attend telephonically or via the internet when authorized by the mayor and common council president, in an officially declared emergency or at the direction of the Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This ordinance amendment deals with meetings during an officially declared emergency or when the Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County determines it is necessary for the prevention and suppression of disease to limit public gatherings, as authorized by Wis. Stats. Sec. 252.03(2). The amendment allows members of the Council, unable to attend a meeting in person, the ability to attend telephonically or via the internet in a declared emergency or when the Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County has determined the need to limit public gatherings to prevent the potential spread of disease. The ordinance further permits council members to appear telephonically or via the internet at regularly scheduled meetings when an officially declared city, county, state, or federal emergency has been declared or when the Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County determines it is necessary for the prevention or suppression of disease and when it has been approved by the Mayor and Common Council President. The Mayor shall direct appropriate staff to see that the technical preparations are made for such a meeting, including compliance with the open meetings statutes. The amendment also clarifies that proxies are never allowed. Current law already allows boards, commissions and committees to meet telephonically.
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