The Muncie Ethics Commission on June 11 reviewed a draft electronic meetings policy and agreed to return it for formal action at the commission’s July 9 meeting.

The draft was prepared to comply with Indiana law cited in the discussion as “IC 5-14.” Chair (name not specified) said the commission needed a written policy and asked for legal confirmation: “I I read that right, it said we were supposed to have a policy on this,” the chair said. Alan Wisely, the city attorney, replied, “Yeah. So you, yeah. So you have to adopt 1, and then it just has to be in line.”

The commission focused on two practical issues: statutory alignment and limits on remote participation during certain proceedings. The draft policy the chair circulated was adapted from the city council’s existing electronic-meetings policy and intended to mirror the statutory requirements. Commissioners noted a specific restriction in the draft (Section II.G.1) that would bar electronic participation by a commissioner during a contested public hearing, such as a complaint hearing.

Commissioners expressed concern that participating remotely during a complaint hearing could make it difficult to observe witnesses and fully hear testimony. One commissioner asked whether remote participants could effectively follow proceedings; the discussion noted that simple phone patching to the meeting microphone has been used, and that other options include Zoom on a laptop projected to a meeting room TV so remote participants can be seen on screen.

Technical setup and reliability were flagged as practical constraints. The chair said advance notice by any member wishing to attend electronically would help the clerk’s office and IT staff (referred to in the meeting as Mark) prepare the connection and audiovisual setup.

No motion or vote was taken on the policy at the June 11 meeting. The chair placed the draft on the agenda as old business for the July 9 meeting for formal adoption or amendment.