HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrder ED-17 - In-person Public Meeting Protocols Superseding ED-12 V 9�
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CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA
ORDER ED—17
FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC
In-Person Public Meeting Protocols
Declared this 16th day of March,2022
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States issued Proclamation 9994
Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Outbreak and on February 18, 2022 President Biden issued a Notice on the Continuation of
National Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)Pandemic; and
WHEREAS, March 12, 2020, the Governor Bullock issued Executive Order No. 2-2020
Declaring a State of Emergency to Exist Within the State of Montana Related to the Communicable
Disease Covid-19 Novel Coronavirus and on June 30, 2021, the Governor Gianforte issued
Executive Order No. 10-2021 Rescinding State of Emergency related to the Covid-19 Novel
Coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, the Health Officer and Board of Health for the Gallatin City-County Health
Department have implemented precautionary and protective measures for the citizens of the City
of Bozeman along with a robust vaccination campaign and testing sites; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020 the City Manager issued an Emergency Declaration
establishing certain authority and powers which such Declaration is incorporated herein; and
CITY OF BOZEMAN,MONTANA
ORDER IMPLEMENTING MARCH 16,2020 DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
FOR COVID-19 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Page I of 3
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2020 the Attorney General of the State of Montana issued a letter
of guidance to local governments recommending public meetings be held only for essential
business, and those public meetings be held remotely; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2020, the Bozeman City Manager issued Order ED-12 regarding
protocols for scheduling and holding public meetings of the Bozeman City Commission and the
various city boards and committees.
NOW, THEREFORE, as City Manager of the City of Bozeman, Montana, and as chief
executive officer of the City, and pursuant to the authority vested in me by the City of Bozeman
Charter and the laws of the State of Montana, I hereby issue this Order in fulfillment of the
Emergency Declaration dated March 16,2020.
As such, I order the following:
1. This Order supersedes Order ED-12,Public Meeting Protocols issued June 2, 2020.
2. This Order applies to all meetings of the City Commission and all public meetings of a
City board, agency, or committee.
3. In-person public meetings of the Bozeman City Commission and the various City boards,
agencies, and committees may resume effective immediately. Recognizing health
concerns regarding in-person meetings persist and recognizing remote meetings increase
access and equitable participation in public meetings, all in person public meetings must
also include an opportunity for the public to participate remotely (i.e. Webex or other
platform as approved by the City's Information Technology Director and the City Clerk).
The City Manager may approve a meeting to be in-person only if City resources are not
available to facilitate a hybrid meeting.
4. Unless otherwise approved by the Mayor for the Commission(or the presiding officer of a
board, agency, or committee) for issues related to the Covid-19 Pandemic and after
consultation with the City Clerk, nothing herein authorizes City Commissioners or
appointed members of City boards, agencies, or committees to attend a meeting using
remote methods.
5. Hand sanitizer and masks must be available in the room where an in-person meeting will
be held. Staff liaisons are encouraged to set up a portion of the meeting room to allow
attendees to physically distance.
CITY OF BOZEMAN,MONTANA
ORDER IMPLEMENTING MARCH 16,2020 DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
FOR COVID-19 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Page 2 of 3
6. The City's established rules for taking minutes of or recording the meeting remain in effect.
7. This Order will be in place until cancelled or superseded by subsequent Order of the City
Manager.
8. All City departments must take all steps necessary to implement this Order.
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Bozeman City Manager
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Mike Maas .�8�,; ,
City Clerk c.•......
CITY OF BOZEMAN,MONTANA
ORDER IMPLEMENTING MARCH 16,2020 DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
FOR COVID-19 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Page 3 of 3