City Of Boise To Conduct Hybrid Meetings

Press release from the City of Boise:

June 8, 2020

I understand that all our lives have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We, as a city, worked quickly to protect our entire community in ways that reshaped our daily lives and businesses. As we move through Idaho Rebounds opening stages, we are working hard to plan a safe and slow return to getting Boise back to work.

Our public meetings, due to group meeting size restrictions, have been conducted in a virtual environment during this time. As we move through Stage Three of the recovery planning documents, the City of Boise will begin to conduct “hybrid meetings.” We strongly encourage continued virtual attendance while we start providing opportunity for in-person attendance and testimony again. The first hybrid Planning and Zoning meeting will take place on June 8, 2020 and the first City Council meeting will occur on June 9, 2020. Please note the City Council work sessions will remain virtual at this time. City Council Work Sessions, Design Review, Historic Preservation and other city boards and commissions will continue to meet remotely. Meeting Times and details are available here: http://boisecityid.iqm2.com/Citizens/Calendar.aspx.

The Stage Three orders limit gatherings to no more than 50 people. In order to adhere to physical distancing requirements and to allow for members of the public who wish or need to testify at a physical location, there will be a limited number of rotating staff physically present with others joining virtually. In the initial phase, 35-40 seats will be pre-set in council chambers at a six-foot distance from one another. While we are transitioning to a hybrid format and allowing members of the public to physically attend and testify in person, we strongly encourage residents, applicants, and neighborhood associations to continue to attend and testify virtually whenever possible. Meetings will be livestreamed. Links to meeting livestreams and virtual participation registration can be found at cityofboise.org/virtual-meetings.

City Council Chambers and the City Hall lobby will receive increased cleaning before and after public meetings. Masks will be made available and are required to be worn by all staff and members of the public at the meeting. Cleaning wipes will also be provided at every touch point so masks may be removed at the podium for presentation to better facilitate spoken communication. The Mayor, City Council members and board members will wear masks into the meeting but can remove them once at their places at the dais.

This press release was produced by the City of Boise. The views expressed here are the author’s own.