4.04.155 Teleconferencing.
A. A member of a board or commission may participate in and vote at a regular or special meeting or work session by teleconference (e.g., telephone, videoconferencing, or similar technology) under the following circumstances:
1. When a local, state, or federal disaster declaration is in effect for the borough; or
2. When a member cannot physically attend the meeting.
a. The member’s physical absence may not exceed a total of six consecutive, regular scheduled meetings due to:
i. An illness or injury of the board or commission member or an immediate family member; or
ii. The death of an immediate family member.
b. The member’s physical absence may not exceed three consecutive, regular scheduled meetings for other circumstances.
B. Meetings shall have reasonable technical capabilities to allow participation by teleconference whenever possible, to include being able to hear and engage in discussion and being audible to all persons participating in the meeting.
C. Prior to the meeting, reasonable efforts are made to ensure that members participating by teleconference are provided with the meeting agenda and other pertinent documents to be discussed and/or acted upon. Access to the agenda and documents from the Borough’s website or Borough email is considered sufficient access.
D. Board or commission members shall provide the board or commission Clerk with at least 24 hours’ notice of their intent to participate by teleconference and provide contact information for purposes of setting up the teleconference.
E. No more than the first three members to contact the board or commission Clerk requesting participation by teleconference at a particular meeting may participate remotely except during a declared disaster. Notwithstanding other provisions herein, all members may participate by teleconference in a special meeting called to consider an emergency action.
F. All votes taken at a meeting with a member attending by teleconference shall be by roll call.
G. A board or commission member may not preside over or chair a meeting in which they are participating by teleconference except during a declared disaster.
H. Board or commission members may participate by video conference for quasi-judicial matters if:
1. A quorum of the board or commission is physically present at the meeting;
2. Videoconference facilities are available at the facility where the meeting is held;
3. The member has sufficient technical ability to maintain visual and audio access throughout the meeting; and
4. The member can access any materials presented during the meeting. (Ord. 2022-19 § 4, 2022; Ord. 2019-34 § 2, 2019.)