City councils and boards do a lot of “what-if” planning.
And the Medical Lake City Council has been involved with devising a scenario most recently to deal with the possibility of members absence, but more so having them possibly remotely attend meetings.
As in via video chat or SKYPE.
That topic was the center of significant discussion at their March 6 meeting, ironically with two members, Tony Harbolt and John Merrick absent. The remote attendance idea seems to center around Merrick, who since being elected has a new job where he travels and has had excused absences in three of five meetings counting March 20.
There are many hurdles in order to even be able to be part of a meeting from a location other than council chambers.
From a practical standpoint comes the need for equipment to allow both council and the audience to hear and see the person not in attendance.
City attorney Cindy McMullen reminded the council that legally, when using a phone, all must be able to hear, and with video, all must be able to see.
Councilman A.J. Burton questioned if the city has both the technology to pull off something like this.
Using wording ordinances from cities in Washington like Kent and Bothell, City Administrator Doug Ross is working with staff to craft some initial language for council to study.
Part of this issue is weighing the benefit of the city vs. the convenience of a council member, Ross indicated, as he made his staff report to begin discussion of the topic.
Technological and legal challenges aside with remote presence, council took up more discussion of the idea of excused absences in general. They have found that language is also vague and needs to be revisited.
Councilwoman Jessica Roberts asked just what is or is not an excused absence. “There appears to be no set standard,” she said. Ross did say there was a whole list of criteria that he would email to council members for their edification.
When discussion finished, the group voted 3-2 to excuse Harbolt and Merrick from the next meeting.
In other council business, members will be soon looking at the latest rendition of the policing contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. They will do so without costs, however, as the department is revising how is charges for that service.
“The contract has not changed, just the way the cost reimbursement (is determined),” Mayor Shirley Maike said.
Councilman Ted Olson reported on the just concluded winter recreation program conducted by the city, saying “It’s the best season so far.”
The Parks and Recreation Department is also considering contracting with the Skyhawks organization to help run some of the city’s sports programs. The Skyhawks currently work with the city of Ritzville.
The discussion of when to place the expiring EMS levy on the ballot resurfaced and appears to be getting closer to resolution. The concern has been, should the measure fail if placed on the August primary ballot, that there would be enough time to get it on the November general election.
The calendar, and law, appears to favor placing the six-year renewal of the 50 cent per $1,000 of property valuation measure on both ballots, withdrawing it if the first is a success.
A final decision on that should come in the very near future. Councilman John Paikuli suggested drafting the resolution which should appear for consideration at the March 20 meeting.
Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.
Reader Comments(0)