Government meetings becoming spacious, electronic affairs

The padded green chairs normally crammed into a meeting room at the Westmoreland County courthouse now are placed precisely six feet apart.

A short agenda sat on each chair Friday for the commissioners’ first public meeting since the coronavirus pandemic hit Westmoreland County. The meeting was barely five minutes long, but it was the first since social distancing, courthouse restrictions and a reduction in staff took effect.

Commissioner Gina Cerilli voted by phone. Commissioner Doug Chew sat at a space normally reserved for reporters while Commissioner Sean Kertes took the helm in his regular spot.

“This is an issue that has been facing every county right now,” said county solicitor Melissa Guiddy. “We are trying to take into account the social distancing we need to do in these times.”

The special meeting solely to approve an emergency declaration the board announced Saturday was audio recorded and posted on the county’s website. The public was permitted to attend, but anyone who couldn’t make it could submit a comment in advance by phone or email.

That was not good enough for Jan Kiefer of Scottdale. Video and streaming should have been an option for Friday’s meeting, Kiefer said.

“Public meetings have never been more important in American history,” Kiefer said. “What you have planned does not provide a public meeting at the highest level possible, what you plan is an unnecessary and ineffective compromise.”

Guiddy said another method could be used for the board’s next regular voting meeting on April 2.

“We have been working with our IT department to explore other options,” she said.

While two of the commissioners were in the meeting room, Cerilli said that likely will change for future meetings while the pandemic rages on. She described Friday’s session as “last minute.”

“We’re trying to make sure all three commissioners aren’t in the same room going forward,” she said.

Holding public meetings by teleconference, webinars or other electronic methods are appropriate for most agencies, according to Eric Arneson, executive director of the state Office of Open Records.

“However, any agency taking that step must provide a reasonably accessible method for the public to participate and comment … pursuant to the Sunshine Act,” he said in a post on the department’s website. “That method should be clearly explained to the public in advance of and during the meeting.”

Arneson said his office also recommends agencies record such electronic or virtual meetings and make them available to view or listen online.

“Agencies should bear in mind that transparency builds trust, especially in times of crisis,” Arneson said.

In Allegheny County, the public has been encouraged to watch the council March 24 meeting livestreamed online and to submit questions and comments by email. Council members are being encouraged to call in to the meeting, rather than being there in person. The room capacity is being limited to 10 to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.

Members of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County met by telephone on Wednesday. Public participation was allowed, but no one appeared.

Municipalities in Westmoreland County are making changes to public access to their meetings. Hempfield Township is closing its municipal building for a Monday supervisors meeting and accepting public comment on the agenda until 30 minutes before the session starts, according to a message on the township website.

Latrobe City Hall will be open to the public for a Monday meeting, though municipal officials encourage people to stay at home and watch the session online via web conference.