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Westchester committee agrees in principle to allow remote council attendance; asks staff to draft guidelines
Summary
The ACT committee discussed whether council members may participate virtually, whether remote attendance counts toward a quorum, and whether remote members may move, second, vote or chair meetings. The committee agreed in principle that virtual participation is allowed and should count toward quorum, directed staff to draft guardrails, and left chairing to in-person members.
The ACT Committee held an extended discussion on whether council members should be permitted to attend meetings remotely and, if allowed, what guardrails should apply.
Chair Lisa Kearns summarized legal guidance from borough counsel: the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act allows agency members to participate by telephone or video conference and counts remote participants toward a quorum. The committee debated practical rules: whether remote members can make motions, vote, or chair sessions; whether camera use should be required; and what reasons (illness, custody, travel) would justify remote participation.
After discussion, the committee recorded a provisional position: remote attendance may be permitted and should count toward a quorum, remote members may make motions and vote under defined circumstances, chairing should remain an in-room responsibility, members should generally be encouraged to attend in person, and cameras are encouraged but not strictly required. The chair asked staff to draft specific guidelines and to consult existing policies such as Allen Township's remote-attendance policy for examples.
What happens next: staff will draft a remote-attendance policy with clear grounds for eligibility, camera and participation expectations, and guidance on frequency before the committee brings a recommendation forward to the full council.
