CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:        October 17, 2022

  Action Required:    Approve Resolution (1 Reading)

  Presenter:          Lisa Robertson, City Attorney

  Staff Contacts:     Lisa Robertson, City Attorney

  Title:              Update Council Meeting Procedures to update electronic participation
                      provisions (1 reading)


Background
Effective September 1, 2022 the Virginia Freedom of Information Act includes modified provisions,
which encourage public bodies such as City Council to provide public access to its meetings both in-
person and through electronic communication means (which City Council has been doing for some
time now, referring to such arrangements as "hybrid" meetings). The amended legislation updated
procedures by which individual councilors may participated in a Council meeting from a remote
location. (The updated FOIA provisions allow other public bodies, but not City Council, the Planning
Commission, or the BAR, to hold a certain number of all-virtual meetings per year).

All of these new or amended FOIA provisions are set forth within Virginia Code Sec. 2.2-3708.3.

Discussion
City Council's previously-adopted Meeting Procedures already address individual remote
participation by council members. Those existing procedures are proposed to be updated as set
forth within the attached Resolution, to reflect the current authorizations of FOIA.

Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan
Taking advantage of the new FOIA provisions is aligned with City Council's vision to be a leader in
innovation, to be flexible and progressive in anticipating and responding to the needs of citizens, and
to be a smart, citizen-focused government.

Community Engagement
N/A

Budgetary Impact
None.

Recommendation
Approve the Proposed Resolution

Recommended Motion: "I move the RESOLUTION amending City Council's Meeting
Procedures, to provide additional opportunities for electronic participation in Council
meetings".

Alternatives
Council may elect not to allow electronic participation by any member.

Attachments
1.   RESOLUTION Council Rules Oct 17 2022 Update