Modesto bans public from meetings due to coronavirus. There are other ways to participate
Modesto is barring the public from attending City Council meetings in person as part of helping stop the spread of COVID-19 but is providing them with other ways to participate.
The measures take effect at Tuesday’s meeting. (The council last met March 19.) Meetings will be televised on cable TV as usual and will be livestreamed at https://www.modestogov.com/CivicMedia.
Members of the public can participate by email by sending general questions or questions about specific meeting agenda items to the city clerk at ccmeetings@modestogov.com. The city asks the public to include the agenda item number in the subject line when emailing regarding a specific agenda item.
According to Tuesday’s meeting agenda: “All comments will be shared with the council members and placed in the record. Every effort will be made to read your comment into the record (during the meeting), but some comments may not be read due to time limitations.”
The agenda states the city will accept emails on a specific agenda item right up to the end of staff’s presentation of that item to the council. The agenda also states the public can submit emails before the meeting.
Modesto said it will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and people with disabilities who need accommodations are asked to request them by calling 209-577-5396.
Modesto is barring the public from attending council meetings based on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s March 17 executive order that suspended some of the requirements of the Brown Act while social distancing remains in place during the pandemic. Other local governments have taken similar actions.
The Brown Act is the California law that allows the public to attend and participate in local government meetings.
Modesto council members also will use social distancing at Tuesday’s meeting, with some attending the meeting by phone. Modesto is using these measures for its City Council committee meetings.
Modesto also has extended the closure to the public of City Hall and other city facilities to May 3. The public can get help from the city by calling 209-577-5200 or going to www.modestogov.com.
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 1:31 PM.
