An ordinance for introduction passed the consent agenda of the Kenai City Council earlier this month with a public hearing set for April 7th, 2021. If passed, it would amend municipal code for telephonic participation and provide for remote electronic participation in council meetings by council members. Telephonic participation in Council meetings was provided for back in 2005 to increase participation by allowing members to take part in meetings when work or family matters required absence.
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ordinances were suspended allowing for remote electronic participation and virtually. Council determined that, through the pandemic, virtual remote electronic participation has provided a better experience for the Council member participating remotely and those in-person.
The public hearing would be for an amendment to city code that would allow for council to participate via electronic means, when the city’s declaration for the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends, citing the code for remote participation by members at the council meetings and work sessions will revert back to telephonic participation only. If passed, Ordinance 3198-2021 would amend city code to allow council to participate through electronic means in regular, special, and work session meetings of the Council.
Kenai City Clerk Jamie Heinz says that the costs are minimal. The City would need to maintain the basic hosting license for video conferencing software. At this time, the cost is $150 per year. Also, if passed, the ordinance wouldn’t apply to the City’s other Boards, Commissions and Committees. The ordinance also wouldn’t apply to members of the general public. Council could discuss and may adopt a policy or policies to allow for virtual public participation, using the City’s virtual platform, at Council meetings and work sessions and at meetings of the City’s other Boards, Commissions and Committees.
The public hearing for Ordinance 3198-2021 will be at the next regularly scheduled Kenai City Council meeting on April 7th, 2021.
