City Council Meeting Date: July 13, 2021
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Discussion of City Attorney Regular Meeting Attendance Schedule and Participation In Person and Remote.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council will discuss the request from the City Attorney to attend meetings remotely unless there are anticipated legal issues or in person attendance is otherwise desired.
Summary Report:
With new technologies installed in the Council Chambers allowing for video conferencing and with the experience of attending meetings remotely for the past 15 months of the pandemic, the City Attorney is requesting the City Council consider modifying the previous City Attorney Council Meeting attendance schedule to allow for both in-person and remote attendance of the City Attorney at regular City Council Meeting. Attached is a memo from the City Attorney (Attachment 1) outlining the current schedule and the proposed new schedule for Council consideration.
The intent would be to have a seated video screen option for remote participation from the dais seat normally attended if this is of interest.
This is a discussion only and Attorney Hood will be at the meeting in person.
Alternative Options:
A. Maintain current schedule and continue having City Attorney attend meetings in person per pre-COVID practices.
B. Add expectations to attend every Council meeting in person.
Financial Impacts:
The City Attorney contract currently does not charge for travel time. However, this may be something to explore in further contract reviews.
Tentative Timelines:
Implementation with next Council Meeting.