Chester County emergency declaration vote continues public business amid coronavirus.
Counties have business to attend, coronavirus or not. The matter of how to conduct that business, and who can attend, presents a challenge.
On Monday afternoon Chester County Council meets for a 3 p.m. special called meeting at council chambers. The meeting is closed to the public due to limits on public gathering from COVID-19. The council meeting will live stream on the county Facebook page.
Chester County restricted access to its public buildings on March 23. Now the county plans to suspend it usual operating rules for 60 days due to coronavirus.
The Monday afternoon meeting March 30 includes an update on coronavirus impacts in the county, a new rule to allow electronic meetings, a state of emergency declaration and legal advice on the coronavirus impact on tax and fee collection.
Eventually, though, counties have to face non-coronavirus tasks that typically — and by law — would be public gatherings. Chester County next meets April 6.
Lancaster County faces similar issues. Its council meeting on March 23 proceeded under what then was Gov. Henry McMaster’s order to limit gatherings of more than 50 people. The county took online citizen comment prior. Council doesn’t broadcast its meetings, but live streamed that March 23 meeting via Facebook.
“We also voted to only have one meeting next month (April 27),” said Councilman Brian Carnes. “State law requires at least one meeting per month.
Council would’ve met again in Lancaster County on April 14, two days after Easter. The two-week delay could change how the next meeting operates. Recommendations could be what they are now — McMaster called for no public gatherings of three or more outside of work on March 23 — or could become more severe. They are less likely to loosen.
Earlier this month President Donald Trump spoke of a desire to ease social distancing guidelines by Easter. In a press briefing March 29, though, Trump noted the peak for coronavirus deaths in this country could be two weeks out and guidelines will extend through the end of April.
“Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won,” he said. “That would be the greatest loss of all.”
York County Council met for its own special called meeting March 26. Council declared a public health emergency and changed its meeting rules, allowing for fewer and virtual meetings without public attendance. Council will meet once monthly. Already the planned April 6 meeting was canceled, as was an April 9 zoning board of appeals meeting.
York County already has an established system for live streaming meetings on its own website, and on Youtube. Online public access will continue for council meetings, though they may be held using audio sources. New rules in York County, too, will last 60 days.
