Springfield City Council supports proposed rule to appear in person

SPRINGFIELD — A month after Springfield Ward 7 City Councilor Gerry Martin proposed limitations on remote participation in meetings and faced significant pushback from colleagues, the council voted 10-2 to approve the resolution.

The resolution, which was co-sponsored by Ward 3 City Councilor Melvin Edwards, Ward 2 City Councilor Michael Fenton and Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan, would establish criteria for remote participation, including medical or family emergencies, and “extraordinary hardships.”

Asked what hardships would be eligible, Martin was vague. Councilors who do not fall into those categories who be expected to appear in person for all regular council meetings and hearings.

Martin said that if a councilor who did not have an emergency or hardship chose to attend a meeting remotely, they would not be able to participate in discussion or vote on agenda items.

The resolution that was passed had been changed substantially from the one Martin proposed at the May 18 council meeting. That draft stated that it was “disrespectful” for councilors not to physically appear at council meetings. Several councilors disputed that characterization. It also required the City Council president approve reasons for remote participation. At Large City Councilor Brian Santaniello had disagreed with that provision, stating that it would violate the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPPA.

Taking the concerns of his colleagues into consideration, Martin changed the resolution. Councilors are on an “honor system” in declaring their reason for remote participation. Martin removed the characterization of remote attendance as “disrespectful,” and created a carve-out for special City Council meetings, as they are often called with shorter notice than regular meetings.

Despite these changes, At Large City Councilor Kateri Walsh remained opposed to the resolution. She said the council needed to “embrace technology” as a tool. She said not all councilors can show up to the meetings, and it is more important that councilors vote than be there physically.

Walsh and At Large City Councilor Justin Hurst were the only councilors who voted against the proposed rule. The resolution is non-binding, and the choice to implement it is up to the discretion of City Council President Tracye Whitfield, who did not support the measure when first proposed.