Collinsville City Council approves electronic attendance by council members

By Ray Popkess • A new text amendment to city code ordinance Chapter 2.04 of Title 2 was approved at the most recent Collinsville City Council meeting on June 23 to allow city council members to attend meetings remotely when permitted under the Illinois Open Meetings Act (IOMA). 

The new policy, Chapter 2.04 of Title 2, limits participation to audio-only attendance and establishes procedures for requesting, approving and documenting remote participation. The ordinance provides a clear and transparent framework for electronic attendance while ensuring compliance with state law and preserving the integrity of city council meetings.

The IOMA permits elected officials to participate in meetings electronically under certain qualifying circumstances, provided a physical quorum remains present at the meeting location.

The approved ordinance:

• Requires a physical quorum of council members to be present at the designated meeting location 
• Allows electronic attendance only for circumstances authorized under IOMA, including personal illness, employment obligations, family emergencies, caregiving responsibilities and other qualifying situations permitted by law
• Prohibits electronic attendance for vacations, personal convenience, scheduling conflicts or routine travel
• Limits participation to audio-only attendance
• Establishes procedures for identification, participation, voting and documentation in meeting minutes
• Clarifies that technical difficulties or loss of connection by a remotely attending member will not delay, interrupt or invalidate council proceedings so long as a physical quorum remains present

Mayor Jeff Stehmann made the only dissenting vote, stating that “he really hasn’t seen a need for [electronic attendance]. There are too many potential problems created by this. If we were in the middle of a very important vote and lost connectivity, that’s a problem.”

Councilman David Seaton gave his thoughts on the ordinance amendment as well: “In the first month and half of this year, I had to miss two meetings. That ‘kills’ me because I’m not one to not be present if I can be.” 

With the city’s Microsoft Office 365 licensing, the virtual attendance will likely be held through Microsoft Teams but the council members would have a choice of preference between Teams and Zoom or another separate audio sharing platform.