The city of Marietta will proceed with its scheduled City Council committee meetings Tuesday with some modifications to comply with recommended social distancing guidelines designed to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The meetings will begin at 4:15 p.m. March 24 with a special called meeting to discuss the city’s response to the coronavirus.
The Finance and Investment, Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Judicial/Legislative, Economic and Community Development and Public Works committees will meet in that order following the called meeting. A work session to review the 2020 legislative session will follow the Public Works committee meeting.
City spokeswoman Lindsey Wiles said elected officials will be placed more than six feet apart and city staff will watch the meetings from their computers. When it’s time for them to provide updates during the committee meetings, city staff will individually come into the Council Chambers for their presentation, she said.
Wiles said a teleconference service will be set up so additional staff members can be available for any questions. A live stream of the meetings will be broadcast on a large television in the lobby at City Hall and chairs will be placed in the lobby for media representatives who want to watch the video while following the social distancing guidelines, she added.
Wiles said the city is stressing that this is a "virtual meeting," so residents can visit the city's website to watch the meetings live or when they are archived.
Members of the Marietta Fire Department's Emergency Preparedness team will be on hand to make sure the city is following CDC guidelines, Wiles said. Any citizen who wants to provide input on what's discussed can email news@mariettaga.gov or contact their individual council member.
The city of Marietta has remained opened amid the coronavirus pandemic, but has taken some steps to cut down on the spread of the disease.
Dispensers filled with hand sanitizers have been installed in city-owned buildings. The city will also clean and sanitize police cars, fire trucks, prisoner transport vans and other equipment and vehicles used in the field that could come in contact with people. Buildings and other public gathering spots will also be cleaned and sanitized, the city said.
However, it has closed the Custer Park Sports & Fitness Center, Hugh L. Grogan, Jr. Community Center, Marietta Fire Museum, Marietta Museum of History and the Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum.
Events postponed include the March 28 Marietta Square Farmers Market, the April 24 Glover Park concert, the April 26 Taste of Marietta and the May 9 M2R (Mountain to River) Trailfest.
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