Ordinance 18-17 Allow Council to Attend Executive Sessions Telephonically

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

Stroozas

ORDINANCE 18-17

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA AMENDING HOMER CITY CODE 2.08.120 TO ALLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR TO ATTEND AN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL BY TELEPHONIC MEANS.

WHEREAS, Ordinance 07-46(A)(S) amended HCC 2.08.120 regarding telephonic attendance and participation in Council meetings by the Mayor and members of Council; and

WHEREAS, HCC 2.08.120(f) was added, stating that no Council member or the Mayor shall attend by telephonic means, an executive session of the City Council and a hearing on an ethics charge; and

WHEREAS, In today’s business environment it is reasonable and commonplace to participate remotely in meetings via teleconference; and  

WHEREAS, Today’s communication technology is widely accepted as a reliable means to allow flexibility in attending meetings for participants who may be temporarily located in remote locations or away from the traditional meeting location.

NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY OF HOMER ORDAINS:

Section 1.  Homer City Code Chapter 2.08.120 is hereby amended as follows:

                2.08.120 Teleconference – Limitations.

a. All Council members and the Mayor should make all reasonable effort to be physically present for every meeting. Teleconference procedures may not be used as a regular means of attendance at meetings.

b. Participation by teleconference may be denied whenever the physical presence of the individual is considered essential to effective participation in the meeting or to the proper conduct of the business to be addressed at the meeting.

c. If teleconferencing is denied the individual will be listed as absent.

d. Each Council member and the Mayor may attend a maximum of three City Council meetings by teleconference during the 12-month period commencing November 1st each year.

e. Each Council member and the Mayor may attend additional teleconferences as a special exception if expressly approved for good cause in each instance by a vote of the Council. Good cause may include, but is not limited to, absence required for extended medical care needed for the individual or the individual’s immediate family.

f. No Council member or the Mayor shall attend by telephonic means:

1. An executive session of the City Council.

2. A hearing on an ethics charge under Chapter 1.18 HCC.

Section 2.  This Ordinance shall take effect upon its adoption by the Homer City Council.

Section 3. This Ordinance is of a permanent and general character and shall be included in the City Code.

                ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, this ___ day of _______, 2018. 

                                                                                                          CITY OF HOMER

                                                                                                            BRYAN ZAK, MAYOR

ATTEST:

__________________________________

MELISSA JACOBSEN, MMC, CITY CLERK

YES:
NO:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:

First Reading:
Public Hearing:
Second Reading:
Effective Date: 

Reviewed and Approved as to form and content:

__________________________                                           _________________________

Katie Koester, City Manager                                       Holly Wells, City Attorney

Date: _______________                                                           Date: _______________