City council votes to stay virtual until end of the month

A majority of Longmont City Council members Tuesday night voted to keep meeting virtually even though the Boulder County Board of Health lifted all mask mandates for in-person events Monday.

Councilor Marcia Martin moved to keep meeting virtually for at least for two weeks to ensure COVID-19 numbers continue their decline. Martin said she wants to return to in-person meetings but that she didn’t want to unnecessarily expose staff members and the public to the virus .

“...It’s not just about us but the people who come to the meetings,” Martin said. She added that public comments in council meetings have declined since the council decided to meet remotely in December. 

“I want to think about the health of people, let’s give it to the end of the month,” Martin said.

A 4-2 majority agreed with Martin. Councilors Susie Hidalgo-Fahring and Aren Rodriguez dissented but didn’t voice reasons for their votes.