title
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING MEETING PROTOCOL FOR THE CITY OF JONESBORO DURING TIMES OF NATIONAL OR STATEWIDE EMERGENCY
body
WHEREAS, because of health concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, and following a declaration of national and state emergency due to the same, limits to the number of persons physically present in public groups have been put in place by the Governor of Arkansas; and
WHEREAS, due to these state mandated changes in a time of pandemic emergency, protocol must be established for holding public meetings in the City of Jonesboro, in order to conduct business while safely utilizing all means possible to adhere to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); and
WHEREAS, declaration of a pandemic constitutes an emergency, which shall invoke the Mayor or his/her designee to declare a state of local emergency and thereby establish a policy for modified conduct of all of its public meetings, including electronic participation and changes to physical presence requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, THAT THE FOLLOWING PROTOCOL BE FOLLOWED IN HOLDING COUNCIL, COMMISSION, OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC MEETING AS REQUIRED BY FOIA FOR GOVERNING BODIES OF ARKANSAS MUNICIPALITIES:
Section 1: Rules and Order of Business:
The Council of the City of Jonesboro will follow its procedural rules adopted annually and all established commissions will follow adopted bylaws, and proper advance notification to the media will be performed as required by FOIA law.
“Electronic Means” shall be defined as by a telephone, cell phone, electronic tablet, computer or other electronic device which allows video call or chat and that provides evidence of the communication and is recordable and audible to all parties participating in and attending or viewing the meeti...
Click here for full text