Members of municipal public bodies may hold, attend, permit public participation and conduct meetings and hearings virtually, in-person or a combination of the two and all of the following apply:
(A) Any ordinance, resolution, motion, rule, decision, or other formal action passed or taken while members attend virtually shall have the same effect as if it had occurred during an open meeting or hearing in which all members of the municipal body attended in person.
(B) Municipal body members who attend a meeting or hearing by virtual means shall be considered present, as if the member attended the meeting or hearing in person, shall be permitted to vote, and shall be counted for determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting or hearing.
(C) Municipal bodies shall provide notification of meetings and hearings held under this section to the public, to the media that have requested notification of a meeting, and to the parties required to be notified of a hearing, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting or hearing by reasonable methods by which any person may determine the time, location, and the manner by which the meeting or hearing will be conducted, except in the event of an emergency hearing requiring immediate official action. In the event of an emergency, the municipal body shall immediately notify the news media that have requested notification, or the parties required to be notified of a hearing of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting or hearing.
(D) The municipal body shall provide the public access to a public meeting under this section, and to any hearing held under this section that the public would otherwise be entitled to attend, commensurate with the method in which the meeting or hearing is being conducted, including, but not limited to, examples such as live-streaming by means of the internet or by means of any other similar electronic technology. The municipal body shall ensure that the public can observe and hear the discussions and deliberations of all the members of the municipal body, whether the member is participating by virtual means or in person.
(E) When members of a municipal body decide to conduct a hearing by virtual means the municipal body must establish a means, using electronic equipment that is widely available to the general public, to converse with witnesses and to receive documentary testimony and physical evidence.
(Ord. 72-21, passed 11-8-21)