The Longmont City Council may return to virtual meetings as COVID-19 cases continue to climb.
City council members voted unanimously in August to continue in-person meetings in council chambers with the provision that everyone must wear masks.
COVID numbers, however, may force the council to return to video meetings to prevent any further spread of the virus.
Since the late summer, “it’s been nothing but bad news” about cases of COVID, said Councilmember Tim Waters.
He said he understood that meeting in-person was to set an example for the community. But meeting virtually “we could be as equally productive and set a different example,” he said.
Councilmember Susie Hidalgo-Fahring — who also is a third-grade teacher — said she has seen COVID infections rise quickly among young school-aged children. “I do want to review this,” she said. “I want to make sure we are not putting people in harm's way” by meeting in-person.
Council members said they would hold a question and answer session with Boulder County Health officials, most likely this week, and then return on Nov. 30 to make a decision to possibly return to virtual meetings.
