HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN 2022-05-09 Item 1A - Discussion - Remote Attendance at Council MeetingsCity of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Finance & Governance Committee
FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst
DATE: May 3, 2022
SUBJECT: Council Rules Update - Remote Meeting Attendance
ISSUE
Update Council Rules allowing remote meeting attendance pursuant to Engrossed Substitute
House Bill 1329.
BACKGROUND
The Washington Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1329 which amended the
Open Public Meetings Act with minimal impact to Tukwila. Staff briefed the Committee on
these changes in April, including the issue of remote attendance at City Council meetings.
Per ESHB 1329, City Council members will now be allowed to participate in meetings
remotely, even in times of non -emergency, if their Rules of Procedure allow. Tukwila's current
City Council Rules of Procedure only allow for remote attendance in the event of an
emergency. The Finance & Governance Committee requested that staff prepare an
amendment to address this.
Below is proposed language for Committee consideration:
G. Remote Attendance at Meetings
1. In the event of an emergency as declared by the City, State and/or Federal
government, the City Council may arrange for electronic participation at a
Regular Meeting, Committee of the Whole, Special Meeting, Executive
Session, Retreat, standing committee meeting, or work session.
2. During a remote meeting, Councilmembers may attend by phone or other
electronic means that allow all participants to hear one another.
3, Remote meetings are open to the public and arrangements must be
conducted such that the public can hear the meeting while it is occurring,
subject to the requirements of RCW 42.30.
2. In times of non -emergency, the City Council recognizes the value of in-
person attendance at meetings. However, remote attendance by a
Councilmember not physically able to be present whether for all or part of a
meeting, is allowed subject to the following:
a. Councilmembers may attend remotely a maximum of two Regular or
Committee of the Whole meetings per calendar year; provided the
Council may by majority vote allow a Councilmember to attend
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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additional meetings remotely in excess of two per year due to medical
or other factors beyond the individual's control.
b. The Councilmember should notify the Legislative Analyst and/or Council
President no later than two hours prior to the meeting start time or 15
minutes prior to an emergency meeting.
c. A Councilmember attending remotely will be marked present, counted
toward a quorum, and can vote just as if physically present.
d. If an attendee's virtual connection should become lost during the
meeting, the meeting should continue unless quorum is no longer met.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is seeking Committee input on the proposed language. Once the Committee decides
upon preferred language, staff can prepare the Council Rules resolution for Committee of the
Whole review.
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