Little Rock board debates ending virtual attendance; strikes health-determination clause and tables ordinance

The Little Rock City Board of Directors debated and temporarily deferred action on an ordinance (item No. 18) that would limit elected members’ ability to attend meetings remotely, striking a provision that would have required the board to vote on whether a colleague was sufficiently ill to participate virtually.

The ordinance’s sponsor, Director Joan Peck, told the board she believes members should attend in person outside emergency periods and brought forward language that would limit the remote option. Director Antoine Phillips argued the proposed text was objectionable because it would put the board in the position of voting to determine a colleague’s medical condition and said he would abstain rather than make such a determination. Director Phillips also…