Council adopts 25% cap on electronic participation; public commenters urge opioid-fund match and propose recovery event

The council adopted a revision to its electronic participation policy that limits council members to attending and voting remotely for no more than 25% of meetings in a calendar year.

Councilors debated whether to remain at the state default of 50% or adopt a more restrictive local standard; the motion to set a 25% cap passed on a motion with one recorded opposition. Staff and the council noted that the municipality may be more restrictive than state statute but cannot adopt a less restrictive standard than state law allows.

In public comment, a local recovery advocate, identified as Josh, asked the town to prepare a letter of intent to apply opioid‑settlement funds and to match those dollars locally to maintain a transportation program that serves nearly 60 residents in town who rely on rides for court, probation, medical appointments, and jobs. Josh also asked whether the town would consider hosting the Celebrate Orange County recovery event next year, noting prior events drew about 200 people and required staging, power, and parking planning.

Councilors asked staff to monitor availability of opioid funds, to follow up on how matching would work with the county and state grant partners, and to consult tourism staff about hosting support and logistics for a recovery festival.