§ 22.40.173. Teleconference—Procedures.

A.

A assembly member who cannot be physically present for a regularly scheduled assembly meeting shall notify the borough clerk at least five days prior to the scheduled time for the meeting of his or her request to participate in the meeting by telephonic means of communication.

B.

At least three days prior to the scheduled time for the assembly meeting, the borough clerk shall notify the assembly of the person's request to participate by teleconference.

C.

At the commencement of the assembly meeting a telephonic connection will be established with the person or persons intending to participate telephonically. If the assembly member has attended at least three regular assembly meetings by telephone since the most recent November 1, after a telephonic connection is established the assembly president shall call for a vote of the assembly on whether the person(s) may or may not participate by telephone. Prior to the vote, the assembly members may make such inquiries as necessary to make a decision. Only the assembly members physically present may vote on the question. The assembly's determination is final and not subject to appeal. If a person participates in the meeting telephonically without a ruling from the assembly, it shall be deemed to be with the approval of such participation by the assembly, and all actions taken by the assembly with the participation of all such persons are valid.

D.

Subsections A, B and C of this section do not apply to special meetings of the assembly. An assembly member who requests to participate telephonically in a special meeting of the assembly must notify the borough clerk before the time scheduled for the start of the meeting. The borough clerk will notify the assembly no later than the commencement of the meeting. After a telephonic connection is established the member shall be allowed to participate telephonically.

E.

The means used for a teleconference meeting of the assembly must enable each member appearing telephonically to clearly hear all other assembly members, the mayor, the borough clerk, the attorney, and public testimony at the meeting as well as be clearly heard by all other assembly members, the mayor, the borough clerk, the attorney, and members of the public in attendance.

F.

The borough clerk shall note in the minutes of the assembly meeting all members appearing telephonically.

G.

To the extent practicable, materials to be considered by the assembly shall be made available to those members attending by teleconference.

(Ord. No. 2017-06 , § 2, 5-2-17)