Board ready for resumption of in-person meetings

Commissioners chair considering resolution to reconfigure auditorium to protect staff, public

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners are preparing to hold person meetings next month for the first time in a year.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, public bodies were required under the state’s Open Meetings Act to gather in person. The Act was amended last spring to allow public bodies to meet remotely while moving public comment and attendance online. On Dec. 22, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 1246 with extended the remote meeting provisions through March 31.

Unless new provisions are passed by the Legislature and signed by Whitmer, elected public bodies will resume in person meetings next month as required by law.

David Woodward (DRoyal Oak), board chair, said the 21-member board is considering a resolution to appropriate $25,000 to reconfigure its Pontiac auditorium to protect staff and the public once in person meetings resume. The safety measures include the installation of plexiglass barriers, floor decals to ensure social distancing protocols are followed, and reduced seating.

“We are planning to start meeting in person April 1,” he said. “We’ve been taking steps to prepare for coming back in person.”

Although the board may soon meet in person, Woodward added that residents who feel unsafe about attending in person would continue to be provided, for the time being, options to participate in the meetings virtually.

In addition to this project, a number of other improvements have already been made to the board’s auditorium and other meeting spaces to ensure COVID-19 compliance including:

• Upgraded A/V infrastructure to offer flexibility/hybrid meetings so commissioners can join meetings remotely and/or while onsite.

• Includes camera and audio upgrades, plus additional monitors around the board of commissioner staff offices to allow physical distancing for those who are onsite for meetings.

Another bill, House Bill

4371, would amend the Open Meetings Act to indefinitely allow all public bodies to meet remotely or under a hybrid model as needed.

• Teleconferencing system has been added to allow remote public comment participation

All of the above improvements have been made to the board’s auditorium, committee room A, and the Pernick Aaron Conference room.

House Bill 4286 would require in person meetings for elected public bodies to resume April 1, but allow non-elected public bodies, such as the county parks commission and road commission, to continue meeting remotely through Dec. 31, 2021. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Luke Meerman. Another bill, House Bill 4371, would amend the Open Meetings Act to indefinitely allow all public bodies to meet remotely or under a hybrid model as needed.

“Greater local control would allow for meeting solutions that work best for each individual community at that time, while existing law ensures that the public remains aware of any changes made with adequate notice,” said Rep. Cara Clemente, bill sponsor.

The bills have been referred to the House Committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance, which is chaired by Rep. Julie Calley (RPortland). The resumption of in person meetings comes as Whitmer and state public health officials announce further re-engagement measures as the state’s case, testing positivity, and hospitalization rates continue their downward trend. On Tuesday, indoor and outdoor gathering restrictions were eased as were restaurant capacity and nursing home visitor restrictions.

In October, the Michigan Supreme Court nullified Whitmer’s emergency pandemic orders, one of which allowed for public bodies to meet remotely. With that order declared void, some public bodies began to meet in person while continuing to restrict in person attendance, but still allowing for public comment and attendance online.

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners have not met in person since March 2020.