Title
Resolution to Amend and Re-Adopt an Electronic Meeting Policy for the Planning Commission
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Discussion:
The Code of Virginia authorizes the Planning Commission to establish a policy for remote participation in its hearings. A remote participation policy enables Planning Commissioners to fully participate in meetings electronically (i.e. via a video conferencing platform such as Zoom or Teams). The Planning Commission adopted such a policy on June 4, 2020. However, changes to the Code of Virginia require the Planning Commission to re-adopt the policy annually. This resolution serves to re-adopt the remote participation policy from June 4, 2020 and to update it to comply with changes in state code that have occurred since June 4, 2020.
Recommendation:
Rec
Adopt the resolution
Body
WHEREAS, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) authorizes individual members of a public body to use remote participation by electronic communication instead of attending a public meeting in person, if the public body has adopted a policy as described in Section 2.2-3708.3(D) of the Code of Virginia, as amended (Code of Virginia), and if a quorum of the public body is otherwise physically assembled; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Hampton, Virginia (Planning Commission) previously adopted a remote participation policy by resolution dated June 4, 2020; however, the provisions of FOIA governing remote participation have been amended since that time, such amendments including, among other things, a new requirement that public bodies re-adopt their remote participation policy on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission believes it is in the best interest of the City’s residents that the fullest participation and attendance in all of its meetings be achieved whenever possible, even if individual commissioners are unable to be physically present and, therefore, desires to amend its remote participation policy ...
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