I thought they needed to pass a law to avoid confusion, so that is what the Council did Tuesday evening. But the very next day, contradicting information was sent out?
So, the ordinance passed Tuesday night says committees can’t meet unless approved by the Mayor and Council President.. You can see here what they discussed at the Council meeting on Tuesday.
The very next day the City Attorney sends out a memo that says Boards Committees and Commissions can meet? Any attempt to avoid confusion is completely undermined.
Can city committees meet? I’m the chair of a city committee and I have heard absolutely no guidance. Should I call a meeting and see what happens?
From: May, Michael <MMay@cityofmadison.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2020 5:20 PM
To: Committee Staff List <CommitteeStaffList@cityofmadison.com>
Cc: AT GROUP <ATGROUP@cityofmadison.com>; Bottari, Mary <MBottari@cityofmadison.com>; McLay, Cameron <CMcLay@cityofmadison.com>; Edgerton, Sarah <SEdgerton@cityofmadison.com>; Dept Division Heads <DeptDivisionHeads@cityofmadison.com>
Subject: Noticing Meetings to be Held by Teleconference or Videoconference
City boards, commissions and committees may meet by teleconference or videoconference pursuant to APM 3-2. We have advised that under APM 3-2, the notice of the meeting should name any and all members of the BCC that will not be present.
The Mayor recently suspended any requirement that all members participating telephonically be individually named. You may still individually name those who intend to participate virtually, but you may also use this language:
“Some or all of the members of the body, or members of the public, may participate in the meeting remotely by teleconference or videoconference.”
In our opinion, this is valid under the Open Meetings law.
Stay well.
Michael P. May
City Attorney ~ City of Madison
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, ~ Room 401
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-4511
FAX: 608-267-8715
APM 3-2
Right now the APM signed by Paul Soglin is still on the site. 3-2 pdf
If it has been updated, the public can’t see it.
