Any matter requiring a roll call vote at a meeting of the City Council may be voted on by an absent Mayor or Alderman/Aldermen via a conference telephone call between the absent Mayor or Alderman/Aldermen and the rest of the City Council present at the regular meeting under the following conditions:
(A) The absent Mayor or Alderman/Aldermen cannot be physically present at the regular meeting at which the matter is put to a vote due to circumstances beyond the control of the Mayor or Alderman/ Aldermen.
(B) The absent Alderman/Aldermen has (have) notified the Mayor of the absence and the reason for the absence at least 48 hours before the meeting is convened, whenever practicable. In the event the Mayor is to be absent, he or she shall notify the City Clerk upon the same terms.
(C) The voice(s) of the absent Mayor or Alderman/Aldermen on the conference telephone call, after being identified by the rest of the Board as belonging to the absent Mayor or Alderman/ Aldermen, shall be simultaneously broadcast to the public present at the regular meeting and open to the media, and the absent Mayor or Alderman/Aldermen shall also be able to hear any public comment regarding the issue elicited at the meeting, if any, before the vote is taken.
(D) The absent Mayor or Alderman/Aldermen, before voting, shall publically state the reason for not being present at the regular meeting to vote in person. The absent Mayor shall subsequently state the reason for not being present at the regular meeting.
(E) The City Clerk shall record the manner of participation of the Mayor or Alderman/Aldermen participating by telephone conference call.
(F) The absent Mayor or Alderman/Aldermen shall not be counted in the determination of a quorum for the meeting.
(Ord. 2017-1, passed 6-1-2017)