BIG RAPIDS — Big Rapids and Mecosta County officials have each declared a local state of emergency due to continued concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Big Rapids city commissioners unanimously approved a resolution declaring a local state of emergency through Aug. 31, during a meeting earlier this week.
Big Rapids-based attorney Eric Williams told commissioners the state of emergency declaration was necessary for them to continue to meet “by electronic and telephonic means.”
The Open Meetings Act was amended in October 2020 to allow electronic or video conferencing meetings, but that authorization expires March 31. Beyond that date, board members can only meet remotely under certain circumstances, one of those being under a state of emergency declaration.
Currently, there are additional amendments to the OMA being considered by the state legislature, but if, or when, they may pass is still in question.
“There is a question as to whether the state will extend the state-wide state of emergency, but if they don’t you wouldn’t be able to meet remotely without declaring a local state of emergency after March 31.” Williams explained. “If you were to adopt this resolution, you can continue to hold public meetings remotely until whatever period of time you declare the state of emergency.”
“The legislation that is being proposed allows the local legislative bodies to make their own determination and puts the responsibility on local officials to determine in their own communities whether it is safe to meet in person or not,” he added. “I think that is a better way to do it, not relying on the state to determine, because not every community is the same.”
City commissioners agreed the pandemic is not yet at a point where they are comfortable meeting in person.
“I appreciate that we are all fatigued with Zoom meetings, but the simple fact of the matter is that we are not out of the woods with COIVD-19 yet,” Commissioner Jennifer Cochran said. “Now we have the concern of the UK variant starting to increase in numbers in the state. I would prefer we cover ourselves and go through the Aug. 31 date, because I would rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”
Commissioner Jonathan Eppley agreed.
“I would love to meet in person again, but I don’t think, collectively, we are there yet," he said. "I support this resolution.”
Commissioners questioned whether the Aug. 31 date included in the resolution would restrict them from returning to in person meetings sooner, should the COVID-19 situation improve.
“That is why I think this (resolution) is so important to adopt,” Williams said. “You can go back to the regular meetings without having to go through a special resolution, but it doesn’t work the other way.”
“It is easier to declare a longer end date, because at any time in the interim, if you feel the emergency no longer exists, you can end it,” he continued.
Mayor Tom Hogenson said he agreed.
“Looking at this from a medical and scientific perspective, the CDC director doesn’t think we are out of the woods yet, and the District Health Department No. 10 is conducting mass vaccination clinics on a weekly basis — that is not something you do routinely if there is not some impetus, and in this case the impetus is fear that this plateau we are at could change with the other variants that are in the population," Hogenson said.
“We have to act in the public's best interest, and I think passing this measure does that,” he added.
Hogenson reiterated the importance of not letting our guard down, to get vaccinated when eligible, and continue to follow safety protocols – wearing a mask in public and practicing social distancing.
County officials adopt resolution
The Mecosta County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution declaring a local state of emergency, as well, during their meeting Thursday.
Mecosta County Administrator Paul Bullock told the board the resolution was being presented on the advice of the Michigan Association of Counties and the advice of legal counsel.
“If you do not do this, you lose the ability to conduct these hybrid meetings with the public joining on Zoom and the commissioners here in the room,” Bullock said. “We do not have the facilities to ensure enough space for everyone who might want to attend. Right now, we have this room just about maxed out with respect to the number of people who can come in. If people from the public want to join the meeting, you would have to violate the open meetings act and not let them in.”
“This (resolution) will allow you the option of a hybrid meeting and still be in compliance with the open meetings act until we can go back to the way we used to do it,” he continued.
Bullock explained that the county declaration would also serve as a blanket authority for all the townships and other governmental bodies to continue to meet remotely or via some hybrid option.
“The other thing is, it will allow all the various boards and committees to do the same thing,” he said.
The board unanimously approved the state of emergency declaration through May 1.
Bullock said, if they get to the first of May and nothing really changes, the board can extend the declaration.
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Mecosta County, Big Rapids officials declare state of emergency - The Pioneer
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