At the advice of the Ohio Department of Health and Governor DeWine, Ohioans have been urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary contact with one another. While stopping the business of local government is not an option, the way we conduct business during this public health crisis must evolve in the best interest of our community.
In a letter to local government leaders on March 13, 2020, Attorney General David Yost opined that live streaming public meetings during this pandemic is appropriate and in the interest of public health. As such, Bainbridge Township will livestream all our scheduled and special Board of Trustee, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Zoning Commission meetings beginning Thursday, April 16, via Zoom Conferencing Video (Zoom.us) until further notice.
UPDATE: Monday May 26, 2020: The Bainbridge Township Board of Trustees has relaxed the public attendance prohibition at our township meetings to the extent permitted by the Ohio Department of Health and Governor DeWine. Currently, public gatherings are limited to ten people. Public participation may be allowed and will be indicated and/or identified by the chairperson as such. Public attendance at the meeting location will be permitted, however limited by the number of people able to gather pursuant to the state order.
Therefore, depending on the meeting, there may be space for between one to six members of the public. Chairs will be provided and situated at least 6 feet apart. At least one chair will be reserved for a news media representative. Members of the public who wish to attend these meetings will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis. Virtual meetings on Zoom will continue to be made available. These procedures will be updated based on the revisions of the orders of the Ohio Department of Health and Governor DeWine.