Just 10 minutes after I posted about coronavirus and putting local government engagement plans on steroids, County Board Analiese Eicher sent out the County Board’s current plans.This is good to see! Swift and good action on behalf of the new County Board Chair. There is such a difference in style and responsiveness to the public between Eicher and former County Board Chair Sharon Corrigan.
County Board Members:
I want to update you on the preparations we are making to continue County Board operations as the public health crisis evolves. As you know, this situation is fluid and plans must be flexible to be effective.
MEETINGS:
1) Consider whether you have critical business that requires a committee and/or other meeting. If not, don’t meet.
2) Staff has scheduled a meeting this week with the Corporation Counsel’s office and our Department of Information Management regarding technological approaches to having large meetings remotely and also meeting the spirit of the open meeting law. This will be important for both standing committees and the County Board. Staff is developing protocols for notice and community access for fully remote meetings, should that be necessary.
3) At this point, we intend to hold the March 19th County Board meeting, but will have only essential items on the agenda.
4) Allowing members to attend and vote remotely will require those at the committee meetings to suspend section 7.22(14) (for committees). There is currently no specific prohibition of members of the Board participating remotely.
5) Your County iPads will have Skype for Business added tomorrow. Lindsay Menard will be sending instructions if you are interested in using it. We are looking at applications with greater capacity for larger meetings.
NOTE:
The County has issued guidance that anyone who visits a state with 10 or more cases of COVID-19 may not come to work for 14 days after their return. County Board members should do the same. We will also encourage the public to communicate via channels other than coming to meetings if they have been outside of Wisconsin.
There is an election April 7th. Constituents should be encouraged to vote absentee, either in person (smaller crowds) or by mail. An absentee ballot can be requested here: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee
STAFF:
1.) If staff must work from home, they are all available to you via email. If there is a change in regular office functions, I will let you know.
2.) The Office line at 266-5758 has been forwarded to a cell phone and Josh Schroeder will field all calls to that line and make sure the appropriate person gets the message. Staff can retrieve their voicemail remotely.
Thank you for your patience and leadership during this time. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Analiese Eicher
Dane County Board Chair
She/Her/Hers
