KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – With a January first deadline looming, Kalamazoo officials are scrambling to resume face-to-face meetings after New Year’s Eve.
On January 1, the state law permitting zoom meetings for local boards will expire.
However, there is talk in Lansing that the date might be pushed back.
The state’s rising COVID hospitalizations, death rates and concerns about the Omicron variant have resulted in proposed legislation to extend that deadline a few months, but nothing has passed at this time.
Kalamazoo City Commissioners had hoped to return to in-person meetings this month, but have decided to wait for the time being.
Meanwhile, County Commissioners have just authorized upgrades that will make it possible to hold hybrid meetings in their Board Room, but there are still concerns it won’t be safe.
“I don’t want to bring anything home, I work in education and our numbers our rising,” County Commissioner Monteze Morales said.
Commissioner Jen Straub proposed that the County come up with a plan to hold meetings at the Epic Center as an alternative.
“[It’s] Where distancing can be accomplished for the public and for board members alike,” Straub said. “And that would be strongly considered during a high rate of spread.”
They will be setting rules for masks and social distancing at their final session of the year on December 21 before any further decisions are made.
— Copy written by John McNeil —
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