BOH Agenda 042220 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Prelipp said as the county braced for its first COVID -i9 case and watched other counties' officials hold news conferences, Orange County looked for innovative ways to make the announcement without being in the same room. Their solution was to edit together a video of health officials and the board of commissioners . The health department is holding meetings through video chats too. And like everyone else, participants are dealing with crying babies, dogs barking and, in one case, turkeys in the background . They 're also trying to balance the restrictions of open meeting laws and making sure that the public can comment. In Raleigh, the city council is planning to broadcast meetings as it always does on YouTube, the Raleigh Television Network and through a livestream on the city 's website. But instead of a video of the council chambers, said Julia Milstead, the city 's spokeswoman , they will see the speaker or the speaker's presentation. Milstead said the council still wants to include the ability for public comments. Speakers have until 5 p .m. Friday to sign up for the April 7 meeting and will then get an invitation to join an audio feed through WebEx. TELEWORKING Johnston County officials have also been trying to comply with social distancing. "We are encouraging department heads to be creative in the methods by which we can provide essential governmental services while taking proactive measures to limit the spread of disease by reducing the opportunities for close contact between people," said Paulette Williams, spokeswoman for Johnston County. She said employees are using both video and conference calling and encouraging online, telephone and drop -off services. Many employees are teleworking, avoiding travel and being told to stay home if they 're sick. Those who are coming into work are using staggered schedules to cut down on time they 're with other people . STATE LAWMAKERS House Speaker Tim Moore formed four committees to focus on the state's needs prior to the session scheduled to begin April 28 . Those committees are also meeting digitally. Moore told the committees last week that he knew COVID -i9 had created needs that needed to be addressed by the state as soon as possible . " This is an unprecedented time in our state and an unprecedented time in our legislature," said Moore, a Cleveland County Republican, during one of the first meetings . " I was urged by quite a few of you attending this meeting remotely and others who said it felt like the legislative branch needed to be engaged sooner rather than later and I completely agree." Just a few people are there in person at the House committee meetings, including Moore. The rest of the lawmakers watch on a video conference call and submit questions via the call or in writing. Those meetings are accessible to the public, who can listen to the live stream on the legislature 's website . There is limited space in the room for the press and public to attend because of social distancing measures.