The Metropolis Council used videoconferencing expertise to permit Metropolis Councilman Jeff Russell, R-At Massive, to take part in Monday’s voting session. Pictured, from left, are Company Counsel Elliot Raimondo, Metropolis Councilman Jeff Russell, R-At giant, and Director of Improvement Crystal Surdyk.
P-J photograph by Timothy Frudd
The Metropolis Council utilized videoconferencing expertise for the primary time beneath the town’s new videoconferencing legislation throughout Monday evening’s voting session.
Metropolis Councilman Jeff Russell, R-At Massive, was unable to attend the voting session in individual; nevertheless, Metropolis Council President Anthony Dolce, R-Ward II, stated he was decided to not miss the assembly, particularly with its significance because the council’s month-to-month voting session.
Russell was in a position to attend the voting session Monday via Zoom videoconferencing expertise. A big display of the councilman was displayed in entrance of his typical seat within the Metropolis Council Chambers.
“He’s in a position to as a result of the state has allowed that now, and we handed that decision a month in the past, so that offers us a chance to have the ability to do this so individuals can nonetheless take part and be there,” Dolce stated.
Whereas the videoconferencing expertise offered Russell with the chance to vote on every of the resolutions, the expertise skilled important difficulties with delay and suggestions. On the conclusion of the voting session, Dolce described the “inaugural run” of videoconferencing as an “attention-grabbing” expertise with “a number of kinks to work out” within the expertise.
“We had a number of glitches,” Dolce stated. “I do know Councilman Russell was delayed a number of instances. It was type of powerful. He was on a slight delay, so we needed to pay attention and wait. We’ll work via these glitches, but it surely’s a fantastic instrument to have in order that individuals who can’t be right here for no matter motive and nonetheless need to take part.”
Regardless of the technical difficulties through the assembly, Dolce remained assured that the town will repair the expertise “glitches” and can rapidly get used to utilizing the videoconferencing software program to herald council members that aren’t all the time in a position to attend necessary conferences in individual on account of numerous circumstances.
