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Stephens City Council adopts emergency ordinance to adjust deadlines, meeting procedures during COVID-19
Summary
Stephens City Council unanimously adopted an emergency ordinance April 7 to temporarily change certain deadlines and modify public meeting and hearing practices to maintain continuity of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stephens City Council on April 7 unanimously adopted an emergency ordinance that temporarily adjusts statutory deadlines and changes public meeting and hearing procedures to address continuity of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Town Manager Mike Majher read the ordinance's title for both first and second readings: "Emergency ordinance to effectuate temporary changes in certain deadlines and to modify public meeting and public hearing practices and procedures to address continuity of operations associated with pandemic disaster." Councilman Joseph Hollis moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion carried on a roll-call vote with Councilmembers Ronald Bowers, Linden A. Fravel Jr., Joseph Hollis, Jason Nauman, Regina Swygert-Smith and Tina Stevens voting Aye.
The ordinance was presented as a temporary measure to permit the town to continue essential operations, to adjust filing and notice deadlines where state or local processes were impeded by the pandemic, and to allow flexibility in how public meetings and hearings are held while health restrictions remain in effect. Majher read the ordinance by title only; no amendment to the ordinance language is recorded in the meeting minutes.
Why it matters: the ordinance authorizes Stephens City to continue conducting town business while complying with public-health directives that limit in-person gatherings. Council members and staff said the change was needed to ensure the town can process applications, meet statutory timelines where possible, and hold meetings using remote platforms.
What happens next: the minutes record the ordinance's adoption and the roll-call votes. The council did not record a separate second motion or conditions tied to the ordinance in the published minutes; implementation details—such as how specific deadlines will be adjusted or how notice/participation requirements will be handled in practice—are delegated to town staff under the ordinance's authority and to subsequent administrative guidance.
The council adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
