Local government boards may continue to meet virtually; most are choosing not to

Manchester’s school board, Village Council, and the surrounding township boards have been meeting remotely for most of the pandemic, either over Zoom, Google Meet, or using a call-in system. The amendment to Michigan’s Act 276 of 1976, the Open Meetings Act, allowing public bodies to meet entirely remotely, will expire at the end of March. But, the amendment allows for remote meetings to continue through December 31, 2021 if a local state of emergency is declared.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution declaring a local state of emergency within Washtenaw County as of March 17, 2021 to continue through December 31, 2021 due to the sustained presence of COVID-19. By declaring the local state of emergency, public bodies like appointed boards and commissions and other local elected bodies may still meet remotely to avoid unnecessary exposure to the members of the body and the public.

“While we are excited by the progress being made regarding increased vaccine supply, the pandemic is by no means over,” said Sue Shink, Chair of the Board of Commissioners and Commissioner for District 2. “We want to make sure we are continuing to provide a framework to allow our residents working, volunteering and participating in local government to do so safely.”

Some local boards have already begun to meet in-person again, including the school board which met in-person with virtual public attendance as well as limited in-person public attendance on March 15, and the Manchester Township board which met in-person at the Manchester Township Hall on March 16. The Manchester District Library will meet virtually tonight at 7 pm.

The Village Council met in person on March 15 for the first time since its November 2 meeting, but may return to virtual if the situation changes. Village President Pat Vailliencourt said, “I think the County order gives us the option to go either way. I’m ok with continuing with virtual if Council wants to.”

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.