The April 13 Sequim City Council meeting has been cancelled. The City Council made this decision because technology allowing the public to hear the meeting by telephone yet not be able to speak during the meeting was not available in time to hold the meeting. There currently is no public comment scheduled for virtual meetings. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments in writing to City Clerk Sara McMillon by email at smcmillon@sequimwa.gov or traditional mail at City of Sequim, 152 West Cedar Street, Sequim, WA 98382, Attention City Clerk.
On March 24, Governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation revising the rules for the Open Public Meeting Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation temporarily prohibits in-person contacts with the public including providing a public meeting space to attend the City Council meeting. The proclamation also requires that the agency provide remote attendance. Currently the public can listen to any City Council meeting live through the City website, however the license for those without access to the internet to call in and listen to the meeting did not come through in time to hold the meeting.
“Once we knew of the new requirements, we started working on the technology that would provide access to the meeting for our citizens,” said City Manager Charlie Bush.
“Unfortunately, vendors are receiving so many requests for licensing and technology that they are backed up, and the license did not come through in time for this meeting.”
Interviews for the open City Council position will be rescheduled to the next meeting. The City Council may schedule a special meeting if the technology is in place or the interviews will take place during the next scheduled meeting on April 27.