HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 20-033-CCGRANT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Grant County, Washington
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 20- 033 -CC
CHAPTER 2.04 AND PROVIDING
FOR COMMISSIONER MEETING
ATTENDANCE BY TELEPHONIC
OR VIDEO MEANS IN CASES OF
EMERGENCY
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Grant County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) desires
that meetings, except those meetings held under executive session pursuant Chapter 42.30
RCW, be open and responsive to the public; and
WHEREAS, regular and special meetings held pursuant to Chapter 36.32 RCW, and
executive sessions held pursuant Chapter 42.30 RCW, should be carried out with efficiency
and uniformity; and
WHEREAS, the BOCC has determined that it is in the best interests of the county to
amend Chapter 2.04 of the Grant County Code (GCC) for the purpose of providing for
telephonic meeting attendance by members of the BOCC during declared emergencies; and
WHEREAS. On February 29, 2020, the Governor declared a state of emergency in
all counties in the state of Washington due to the public health emergency caused by the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19"); and
WHEREAS. On March 12, 2020, the Governor ordered all Washington schools,
public and private, and all Washington universities, public and private are closed through
April 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS. On March 16, 2020, the Governor ordered closure of all Washington
bars, restaurants, clubs, entertainment venues, faith -based organizations and facilities, and
other similar organizations and venues through March 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS. On March 16, 2020, the Governor ordered that gatherings in the State
of Washington are to be limited no more than 50 people through March 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, The Governor has issued multiple emergency proclamations intended
to further limit the gathering of people, and
WHEREAS, the Grant County Board of Commissioners declared an emergency on
March 13, 2020, in resolution 20 -026 -CC, in response to the growing pandemic.
THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF GRANT COUNTY, STATE OF WASHINGTON, THAT
CHAPTER 2.04 GCC BE AMENDED BY ADDING A NEW SECTION .040 AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: NEW SECTION. A new section, 2.04.040 is hereby added to Chapter 2.04
of the Grant County Code, to wit:
2.04.040 - Attendance by telephonic or video means in case of declared emergency.
(a) Any member of the Board of County Commissioners may attend and participate in
all or part of a regular meeting, special meeting, or executive session by speakerphone or
other form of telephonic or video communication by means of which the member can hear
what is said at the meeting and be heard by other persons attending the meeting.
Participation may include voting on any matter before the Board of County Commissioners.
(b) This section shall not apply to any record appeal hearing before the Board of County
Commissioners conducted under the Grant County Code and/or Unified Development Code.
(c) A Board member may attend any meetings by telephonic means as dictated by the
needs of the emergency. A member who plans to attend a meeting by telephonic means is
requested to provide notice at a regular meeting prior to the meeting to be attended by
telephonic means. If such notice is not provided the member shall provide reasonable notice
to the Clerk of the Board, who shall be responsible for making necessary arrangements.
(d) The clerk of the board or designee shall provide the means by which a member of the
public may observe the meeting. To the best of the clerk's ability and in keeping with the
nature of the emergency a public meeting space shall be made available and the location and
time published with the notice of the meeting. The public space shall provide a means for
the public to observe the meeting. If available the clerk of the board shall also provide a
means to broadcast the commissioner's meetings on the web or by other means. A link or
other information designating how to observe the meeting shall be published with the notice
of the meeting. Some means of public observation of the meeting is required.
(e) This section applies during an emergency declared with by the Governor of the State
of Washington that includes Grant County or part thereof in its geographic extent, or an
emergency declared by the Board of County Commissioners. If necessary the Board may
convene under the rules of this section for the purposes of declaring an emergency.
(f) The provision of the Open Public Meetings Act, RCW Ch 42.30, shall apply to
meetings under this section.
Section 2: Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or
phrase of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision
shall not affect the validity of the remaining parts of this Ordinance.
Section 3: This ordinance shall take effect upon signature of the board.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT THE GRANT COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS amend Ch. 2.04 and add section .040 as written.
PASSED AND ADOPTED thijZ�Paay of March, 2020.
Approved as to Form:
By
Kevin J. McCrae
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Date:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
',A%C UN ASHINGTON
Cindy Carter Chair
Thomas H. Tayl tr, Vice Chair
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Richard Stevens, Member
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