CHARLOTTESVILLE (WINA) – City Manager Michael Rogers told City Council Monday night he’ll propose a resolution for Council to consider April 17 to end chamber COVID restrictions starting their May 1 meeting. Rogers informed Council the deputy city attorney is working with him to prepare an agenda memo for the next regular meeting that will “redefine operational procedures that not only govern the use of Council chambers, but sets a protocol for the meetings for all boards and commissions”.

Rogers said they are working on removing the current continuing resolution that has been active since September 6, 2022. That resolution is the one that opened chambers back up for meetings, but with limits on gallery and press numbers due to the social distancing wrappings put on a huge majority of seats available.

One of the issues city leaders will be resolving between now and April 17 is whether or not Zoom participation can legally continue after the Biden Administration dissolves the federal emergency May 11. Mayor Lloyd Snook and Councilor Michael Payne specifically asked about the Zoom issue and Rogers responded that continuing Zoom participation is desirable. However, outside legal counsel for the city Andrew McRoberts with Sands Anderson would only respond that city leadership needs to “huddle up” to discuss it.