CC 05-03-2022 Item No. 8 Written CommunicationsCC 05-03-2022
Item No. 8
Consider adopting a
resolution authorizing
continued remote
teleconference
meetings for May 3,
2022 to June 2, 2022
Written
Communications
From:Peggy Griffin
To:City Council
Cc:City Clerk; Jim Throop
Subject:2022-05-03 CC Mtg Agenda Item #8 Continuing Remote Teleconference Meetings
Date:Saturday, April 30, 2022 5:19:58 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council,
I have 2 requests:
1. Continue permanently the hybrid remote teleconference meetings for all the meetings held in the Community
Hall.
2. For all commission meetings held elsewhere, PLEASE make them hybrid, too. If that is not possible, PLEASE
leave them on Zoom, not in person.
Although the pandemic has been horrible and way too long, one discovery for me and many others has been that
having the commission meetings on Zoom has provided:
- ACCESS AND INCLUSION for many more people. People who work long hours, parents that can’t leave their
children alone, the disabled, people who are tight on time, seniors who don’t like to drive at night, etc.
- LESS PARKING REQUIRED if some people are attending remotely
- COVID - for those who are not ready to meet in person or those who are immune compromised or have loved ones
who are compromised, attending remotely gives them access.
- SUSTAINABILITY because we don’t have to drive to attend so less CO2 for gas powered vehicles.
- CHEAPER for attendees, due to the high cost of gas, many of us are limiting our driving trips.
- CHEAPER AND MORE CONTROL for the city because when an important item is being discussed if a large
portion of the audience is remote, there is less need for space, sheriff support and unruly speakers can easily be
muted.
- LESS CONFUSION AND SPACE. Many people, me included, don’t really know where all these little rooms are
located in City Hall. There’s no map posted with their names. That little conference room near the lobby is very
small. If all the commissioners are present and the staff then there’s very little room for an observer to attend. It is a
very tight space.
- LIKELIHOOD OF MORE COMMISSIONERS. Many working people work long hours or travel. If the city
provides the ability for commissioners to attend remotely then they can participate no matter where they are. Also,
if they work long hours, they can take a “break” to attend a commission meeting from work.
- TRANSPARENCY. Having the commission meetings on Zoom provides recordings of the proceedings which can
be available for those who could not view the meeting live. Many approved meeting minutes are not available for
weeks/months so having a recording available is fast. Also, a recording is much more informative than the current
style of meeting minutes which are mostly procedural descriptions rather than informational.
Please continue remote meetings and make the hybrid model a permanent model. Thank you to the IT Department
for making it possible at all!
Sincerely,
Peggy Griffin
From:Griffin
To:City Council
Cc:City Clerk; Jim Throop
Subject:Re: 2022-05-03 CC Mtg Agenda Item #8 Continuing Remote Teleconference Meetings
Date:Saturday, April 30, 2022 6:28:11 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
A few more reasons I forgot to mention…
- TRANSPORTATION NOT REQUIRED. Those who do not have access to transportation would benefit.
- NOISE REDUCTION around the City Hall area would be reduced.
- LESS TRAFFIC CONGESTION around the City Hall area.
Sincerely,
Peggy Griffin
On Apr 30, 2022, at 5:19 PM, Peggy Griffin <Griffin@compuserve.com> wrote:
Dear City Council,
I have 2 requests:
1. Continue permanently the hybrid remote teleconference meetings for all the meetings held in the Community
Hall.
2. For all commission meetings held elsewhere, PLEASE make them hybrid, too. If that is not possible, PLEASE
leave them on Zoom, not in person.
Although the pandemic has been horrible and way too long, one discovery for me and many others has been that
having the commission meetings on Zoom has provided:
- ACCESS AND INCLUSION for many more people. People who work long hours, parents that can’t leave their
children alone, the disabled, people who are tight on time, seniors who don’t like to drive at night, etc.
- LESS PARKING REQUIRED if some people are attending remotely
- COVID - for those who are not ready to meet in person or those who are immune compromised or have loved ones
who are compromised, attending remotely gives them access.
- SUSTAINABILITY because we don’t have to drive to attend so less CO2 for gas powered vehicles.
- CHEAPER for attendees, due to the high cost of gas, many of us are limiting our driving trips.
- CHEAPER AND MORE CONTROL for the city because when an important item is being discussed if a large
portion of the audience is remote, there is less need for space, sheriff support and unruly speakers can easily be
muted.
- LESS CONFUSION AND SPACE. Many people, me included, don’t really know where all these little rooms are
located in City Hall. There’s no map posted with their names. That little conference room near the lobby is very
small. If all the commissioners are present and the staff then there’s very little room for an observer to attend. It is a
very tight space.
- LIKELIHOOD OF MORE COMMISSIONERS. Many working people work long hours or travel. If the city
provides the ability for commissioners to attend remotely then they can participate no matter where they are. Also,
if they work long hours, they can take a “break” to attend a commission meeting from work.
- TRANSPARENCY. Having the commission meetings on Zoom provides recordings of the proceedings which can
be available for those who could not view the meeting live. Many approved meeting minutes are not available for
weeks/months so having a recording available is fast. Also, a recording is much more informative than the current
style of meeting minutes which are mostly procedural descriptions rather than informational.
Please continue remote meetings and make the hybrid model a permanent model. Thank you to the IT Department
for making it possible at all!
Sincerely,
Peggy Griffin