Common Council Votes Unanimously to Allow Virtual Attendance & Voting For Councilmembers Under Certain Circumstances

During Tuesday’s quick Common Council meeting, a local law to allow videoconferencing and virtual attendance for Common Councilmembers was approved unanimously. The vote came after a public hearing was held to which one person spoke.

Speaking during the public hearing was Bruce Adams, who was the Department Head for the City of Cortland’s Wastewater Treatment facility for over 40 years. Adams spoke in favor of the proposed law adding Councilmember Katy Silliman, who is now unable to attend meetings in-person for the foreseeable future due to aggressive cancer treatments, worked with him for a number of years and has always been supportive. He added that virtual attendance for meetings while battling cancer only shows Silliman’s commitment for her constituents and for the City of Cortland.

The local law now allows members of the Common Council to attend meetings virtually and also vote on resolutions on the agenda. Councilmember Silliman will be able to attend virtually during the next Common Council meeting on October 7th.

Remote participation in Common Council meetings will only be allowed under “extraordinary circumstances” including disability, illness, caregiving responsibilities, or any other significant or unexpected factor which would prevent the members’ physical attendance.