Council returns to virtual meetings

A majority of the Longmont City Council voted Tuesday night to return to virtual meetings, citing worries that meeting in-person would lead city staff and the public to be exposed to COVID-19.

Only Councilmember Aren Rodriguez voted against the move. He did not give a reason.

Councilmember Susie Hidalgo-Fahring told the council that she was convinced the move to remote meetings was justified after a November meeting with Boulder County Public Health officials. They told council members they should at least consider a “hybrid” approach to conducting public meetings to protect the most vulnerable members of the public.

“Back in June I was feeling more optimistic and hopeful but the message we got … was that if we can conduct business virtually we should go that route,” Hidalgo-Fahring said.

COVID numbers have been on the rise in Boulder County, which recorded nine COVID-19-related deaths in Boulder County since Nov. 22. The total number of COVID-19 deaths as of Monday has climbed to 308, BCPH spokesman Shawn Hollister said. There are 34,810 total cases of COVID-19, according to the BCPH website.

The council has been meeting in-person while still wearing masks which follows Boulder County Public Health orders. Council members met virtually when the pandemic began.

The council will meet in a virtual session on Dec. 7, Mayor Joan Peck said.