HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 7/6/2021 - RESOLUTION 2021-074 EXPRESSING COUNCIL'S INTENT AN Agenda Item 19
Item # 19 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY July 6, 2021
City Council
STAFF
Honore Depew, Interim Policy and Project Manager
Carrie M. Daggett, Legal
SUBJECT
Resolution 2021-074 Expressing Council's Intent and Direction Regarding Remote Work Sessions.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to adopt a Resolution expressing Council’s intent and direction regarding remote
work sessions. This Resolution sets a consistent expectation for the format of Council work sessions;
Alternative 1 makes remote participation the default format while Alternative 2 makes in-person participation
the default.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Since the COVID-19 local emergency was declared in March 2020, Council has conducted many remote
meetings. During that time, Councilmembers and staff have developed aptitude and comfort with remote
technology. Having Council declare its preference for a default format will provide consistency and manage
expectations for participants and the public, allowing the City Manager to plan and arrange for future work
sessions. The City Manager, Mayor, and Mayor Pro Tem prepare the logistics of each Council meeting and
can recommend an exception to the default format for any given work session.
The City Attorney’s Office has prepared a resolution for Council consideration that includes two alternatives for
discussion. Alternative 1 makes remote participation the default format while Alternative 2 makes in -person
participation the default. Individual Councilmembers may choose to participate in any work session using
remote technology by making a request for remote participation in advance of the work session.
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RESOLUTION 2021-074
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
EXPRESSING COUNCIL’S INTENT AND DIRECTION
REGARDING REMOTE WORK SESSIONS
WHEREAS, since March 2020, the City Council has conducted many work sessions and
regular meetings using remote technologies due to the COVID-19 local emergency and related
public health recommendations; and
WHEREAS, during that time, members of the public, Councilmembers and City staff
have developed familiarity with the tools for remote participation; and
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes the increased accessibility remote participation
affords to many members of the public, particularly where public comment and input is invited;
and
WHEREAS, as public health recommendations related to COVID-19 and local
circumstances have evolved, the Council has at times returned to meeting in person at City Hall,
while continuing to allow remote participation by Councilmembers, the public and City staff;
and
WHEREAS, the City Manager, working with the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem, and
others on staff, plans and prepares for Council meetings and work sessions based on the
circumstances and agenda for each meeting; and
WHEREAS, some Councilmembers have expressed a preference for continuing to
conduct work sessions using remote technologies, except as circumstances otherwise dictate; and
WHEREAS, this Resolution will establish Council’s intent and give direction to the City
Manager regarding the remote work sessions, to enable the City Manager to plan and arrange for
work sessions going forward.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF FORT
COLLINS as follows.
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
ALTERNATIVE 1 (default remote):
Section 2. The Council hereby expresses its intent that Council work sessions will be
conducted using remote technology for all participants, except that the City Manager may, after
consultation with the Mayor and with the Mayor Pro Tem, determine that it will be advantageous
to conduct a work session in person in a specified location in light of the agenda or other events
or circumstances related to that particular work session. Any such determination must be made
and communicated to all of Council and to the public no less than seven days in advance of the
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in-person work session. Individual Councilmembers may choose to participate in any work
session using remote technology, provided a request for remote participation is made to the City
Manager no less than three hours in advance of the work session.
ALTERNATIVE 2 (default in-person):
Section 2. The Council hereby expresses its intent that Council work sessions will be
conducted in person in a location determined by the City Manager, except that the City Manager
may, after consultation with the Mayor and with the Mayor Pro Tem, determine that it will be
advantageous to conduct a work session using remote technologies in light of the agenda or other
events or circumstances related to that particular work session. Any such determination must be
made and communicated to all of Council and to the public no less than seven days in advance of
the in-person work session. Individual Councilmembers may choose to participate in any work
session using remote technology, provided a request for remote participation is made to the City
Manager no less than three hours in advance of the work session.
Section 3. The direction stated in this Resolution shall continue in effect until such
time as Council acts to modify or terminate it.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 6th
day of July, A.D. 2021.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk