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Council adopts policy allowing limited remote participation for Jackson City Council members
Summary
The council opted into a state law provision allowing members to participate remotely in council meetings under limited circumstances (military service, inclement weather, medical or family emergency); remote participation is limited to twice per year, one member per meeting, and must be by video.
The Jackson City Council on Oct. 14 adopted a resolution authorizing limited remote participation by council members under conditions set out in state law.
City staff member Ron explained the parameters: remote participation is allowed only for council members and only in specific circumstances such as military service, inclement weather, or a medical or family emergency. "If you've been called into military service, if you can't attend due to inclement weather, if you have some kind of medical emergency or family emergency, you have the ability to plug in remotely to only a city council meeting," Ron said.
Ron told the council a remote participant does not count toward the physical quorum and that a physical quorum must still be present; however, a remote member may vote if the conditions are met. "You still have to have a physical quorum present. But if you do so, then you can vote," Ron said.
The policy is limited to two remote occurrences per council member per year and to one remote member per meeting (the city explained this reflects the state limit that no more than 20% of the body be remote). The resolution requires video participation (not audio only) to verify the member's identity.
The council approved the resolution 9-0. City staff clarified the policy applies only to council meetings and not to boards or commissions, which may listen remotely but may not deliberate or vote by remote means under current state law.
The resolution now allows council members to use remote participation in narrowly defined situations; staff will implement the procedural steps required by the state law.
