City Council amended the Jan. 9 agenda to add a consent calendar item (2g) to authorize changing council meetings scheduled Jan. 16 and Feb. 6 from in‑person to virtual pursuant to BRC section 2‑1‑2. The amendment also removed a separate agenda item (3a) related to a local landmark reading.

After brief discussion and a handful of comments from council members expressing disappointment about moving meetings to a virtual format, the council approved the consent agenda, items 2a through 2g, by roll call. Several council members raised concerns about the optics of temporarily moving to virtual meetings and said they hoped staff would use the interval to identify procedural changes and safety steps that would allow a return to in‑person meetings.

Nut graf: The consent action formally authorized two upcoming meetings to be held virtually; council members who opposed the change said they regretted the decision but supported pausing in‑person meetings to allow staff time to improve public‑meeting procedures and safety protocols.

Council comments: Council Member Matt (transcript speaker identified as Matt) said he was “deeply disappointed” by moving meetings to virtual format and said he feared it would send the wrong message if the council was perceived as retreating from the public. Other members, including Council Member Mark and Mayor Pro Tem Volkert, said they supported a short pause to review procedures and return with stronger safety measures for in‑person meetings.

Outcome: Consent agenda items 2a–2g were approved and the added item to change the Jan. 16 and Feb. 6 meetings to virtual was included in the approval. Staff will follow the BRC procedure for virtual meetings and will report back on review of protocols and any recommended changes to in‑person meeting procedures.

Ending: Council directed staff to use the brief pause to examine safety procedures and hybrid meeting logistics and to return with options for how to conduct future in‑person or hybrid meetings safely and consistently.