105.01 LOCATION; PUBLIC ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION.

   (a)    Definitions. As used in this section:

      (1)    "Electronically" means by way of electronic equipment or devices, including but not limited to, live-streaming by means of internet, local radio, television, cable public access channels; call in information for a teleconference; or by means of any other similar electronic technology.

      (2)   “Open to the public" means that a public meeting, or hearing conducted in-person, electronically, virtually, or any combination thereof, to which the public has access to the deliberations and official actions of the public body.

      (3)    "Public body" includes Council and boards, commissions, and committees established under the Charter or the Codified Ordinances of the City.

      (4)    "Virtually" means by way of teleconference, video conference, or any other similar electronic technology.

   (b)    Location. Unless otherwise provided in these Codified Ordinances, all meetings of Council or any committee thereof, commissions, boards, citizen advisory committees to Council and other similar public bodies of the City shall be held as provided in subsection (c). All such meetings shall be open to the public, unless an executive session is expressly authorized by law. This section does not require that any public body permit public participation in such open to the public meetings unless specifically required to do so by the provisions of the Charter or of these Codified Ordinances.

   (c)    Attendance. Each public body may permit its members to attend its public meetings or hearings in-person, virtually, or a combination of the two. The following shall apply if any or all of the members are permitted to attend virtually:

      (1)    Each member attending virtually shall be considered present as if the member is in-person at the public meeting or hearing, shall be permitted to vote. and shall be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the public meeting or hearing;

      (2)    Any vote on a resolution, ordinance or formal action of any kind cast by a member attending virtually shall have the same effect as if member is in-person at the public meeting or hearing; and

      (3)    The public body shall ensure that the public can observe and hear the discussions and deliberations of all the members of the public body, whether members are attending in-person or virtually.

   (d)    Open to the Public. Each public body shall determine the method by which its meetings, or hearings are open to the public. For public hearings conducted virtually, the public body must also establish a means, through the use of electronic equipment that is widely available to the general public, to communicate with witnesses and to receive documentary testimony and physical evidence.

(Ord. 2021-92. Passed 6-22-21.)