Council considers in-person meetings

By CLOEY CALLAHAN
Posted 3/10/21

The question of when the City of Newburgh will hold council meetings in person again was brought up at the March 4 work session.

Corporation counsel Michelle Kelson said the switch to a remote …

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Council considers in-person meetings

Posted

The question of when the City of Newburgh will hold council meetings in person again was brought up at the March 4 work session.

Corporation counsel Michelle Kelson said the switch to a remote setting isn’t as simple as it might be made out to be considering open meeting laws. However, those in favor of meeting in person used the argument that if other in-person gatherings, indoor dining and more are happening, the council should be able to meet in person as well.
Councilman Omari Shakur was the first to ask for the request.

“I do agree that there needs to be a way that the city residents and the council members and or executive staff can get back into the gallery, even if we’re going to do a limited amount of people,” said Mayor Torrance Harvey. “People are being vaccinated and we are seeing the Coronavirus positive rates trending down.”

Harvey said he’s heard from constituents and that he too feels there is a disconnect between elected officials and the community members, especially when it comes to important legislation and public hearings. He imagines the hybrid council meeting model would allow those who would rather stay home, stay home, and others coming in and following CDC guidelines with limited capacity, mask wearing and staying socially distant.

“I agree fully and I think we all would love for that day to come – and it will come, that I can assure you,” said City Manager Joseph Donat. “The question is when. The City of Newburgh unfortunately is still considered a yellow cluster zone.”

Donat said he doesn’t see it possible for the council to meet in person until the yellow designation is lifted by New York State.

“If I can take my wife and daughter to a restaurant in the City of Newburgh on the waterfront, and the restaurants can socially distant people and have them spread out and adhere to CDC guidelines, but then I can’t go into my gallery and invite a limited amount of residents to participate in our meetings physically, than there is a disconnect,” said Harvey. “If the restaurants can do it, we can do it – even in a yellow cluster zone.”

The capacity of the third floor is 100 people, which brings it to 25 people with the 25 percent capacity mandate. Kelson explained that with open meeting laws, the city would have to do extensive planning to make sure only 25 people show up in person and that the rest can access it without a problem from home.

“No matter what system we design, there’s going to be issues and kinks that will have to be worked out,” said Kelson.

Shakur suggested also looking into an outdoor option with the warmer months coming.

“I will consider all options and report back to the council with any feasible paths forward and involve the state with making sure we’re adhering all of the guidelines,” said Donat.