Live meetings have their proponents, opponents

AIRWAY HEIGHTS — It’s been over a year since meetings far and wide went from live to Zoom. While working to get the job done in business, family and especially with government, there’s certainly some desire to go live and that was topic among things the Airway Heights City Council grappled with at its April 12 meeting.

As might be expected, there were plenty of thoughts as to whether to return to normal with live meeting in council chambers, remain in a remote setting or a little of both?

Considering Spokane County recently moved into Phase 3 of reopening, “I’ve heard from various people and I think all of the inputs are, are worthy of consideration,” Mayor Sonny Weathers said of moving forward.

“I know there’s some that still want to maintain some distance and safety and precaution, and then there’s some that are ready to start getting back towards old routines,” Weathers said.

City Manager Albert Tripp urged some caution in designing the road ahead.

“The only caveat to just be aware of as you’re looking at a hybrid approach, what that would mean is in addition to the in-person component, we would just offer another form of the virtual meeting,” he said.

Councilwoman Veronica Messing questioned whether this process was still in the thought sharing or decision-making phase? “I think we think we can just take thoughts at this point until we have something that’s agreeable across the board,” Weathers said.

Messing suggested to stay virtual for now. “I think I saw today that three areas in Washington are failing requirements in Phase 3 and might get dropped back.” Indeed, she was correct as Pierce, Cowlitz and Whitman had slipped back to Phase 2 in the required metrics.

New councilman Art Bubb seemed to agree with Messing saying, “Unless there’s an absolute pressing need to meet together — as much as I like everybody — I agree.” Bubb admitted he was not necessarily ready to move freely and completely around the community, much less a meeting “I feel okay leaving it the way it is,” he added.

The other side of the case was illustrated by Doyle Inman who suggested, “I don’t have a definite reason why we should get back together. But I truly like being person to person in the meetings instead of talking to my computer screen.”

Dave Malet agreed with Inman, but in his opinion for slightly different reasons.

“Like I’ve shared before, you’re gonna’ get a lot more done in a one-on-one deal,” Malet said. “I feel my discussions more open and in a face to face than somebody who is on the computer.”

Humoring the group halfway through a 2-hour meeting, “I often go cross eyed looking at the “Brady Bunch” screen, but it’s got its bonuses too,” Weathers said.

With those points of view to ponder Tripp and his staff are tasked with mapping out what the future of council meetings look like and presenting that back in the very near future.

Paul Delaney is a retired Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at [email protected].

 

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