Board Will Adopt a Hybrid Model to Promote Equitable Civic Involvement
Westchester County Board of Legislators announced it will resume in-person meetings at the Michaelian Office Building, located at 148 Martine Avenue in White Plains, NY, beginning September 12, 2022.
In an effort to maintain compliance with the State’s Open Meetings Law, an executive order was issued in March 2020 authorizing virtual access to public meetings due to the coronavirus pandemic. The order has been extended multiple times so Public Bodies may continue to run and function. Virtual access has permitted the Bodies to meet the stipulations of providing viewing access to the public, as well as providing reasonable notice of meetings.
The Board will officially institute a hybrid model requiring participants to register via Webex (an online teleconferencing system) in order to participate remotely and attend via livestream, as well as permitting physical attendance to all of its meetings. Aside from its bi-weekly Board meetings, all County legislative committee meetings are subject to the new model.
“We feel now is the best time to reopen our Chamber to the public because the worst of the pandemic is behind us. COVID helped us evolve as an institution, marrying traditional procedures with modern technology. By making our rules more flexible, we will be more inclusive and transparent, and that is a great thing for democracy,” said Chairwoman Catherine Borgia (D – Cortlandt, Croton on Hudson, Ossining, Briarcliff Manor, Peekskill).
The County legislature has provided various methods of access for participation to continue to promote equitable civic involvement throughout the pandemic. Among the aforementioned teleconferencing services, constituents can use telephone devices, and can send written comments to the Clerk at BOLPublicComments@westchesterlegislators.com or by mail to Clerk of the Board of Legislators, 148 Martine Ave., 8th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601.
Information on how to participate for Public Comment and Public Hearings via video conferencing, telephone, or in person, can be found on the Board’s website at westchesterlegislators.com/meetings.
