6A | SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2020 | SIUSLAW NEWS
COMMENTS from page 1A to the city council via email.
Each member of the city
“The governing body of a council then has an oppor-
public body shall hold pub- tunity as individual mem-
lic meeting and hearings by bers to provide feedback to
telephone, video or through the Mayor and City Manag-
some other electronic or er on the need to discuss any
virtual means whenever public comments received
possible,” the EO stated. or provide an administrative
“For all public meetings and response during a meeting.
hearings held by telephone,
Messmer pointed out that
video or through other any city councilor has the
electronic or virtual means, opportunity to bring up any
the public body shall make item of interest at a council
available a method by which meeting, particularly during
the public can listen to or the “City Council Reports”
virtually attend the public section of the agenda.
meeting or hearing at the
“This is the most likely
time it occurs.”
area where a city councilor
The mandate also ex- could bring up comments
plains that the public body received and request a fu-
does not have to provide a ture agenda item,” she add-
physical space for the pub- ed.
lic to attend the meeting or
The limitation of pub-
hearing.
lic comments during a city
There is some latitude council meeting was not
given to local municipal discussed in EO No.20-16
leaders to provide for these but was adopted as a poli-
basic
communications. cy to address the challenges
However, there is no spe- presented to the council.
cific requirement as to what
“Yes, the decision to lim-
public comments must be it public comments is a lo-
allowed at particular types cal decision made by the
meetings.
city council as part of the
Florence Public Informa- adoption of the COVID-19
tion Officer Megan Mess- Temporary Public Meeting
mer explained the crafting procedures located on the
of local meeting policies City’s website,” said Mess-
for the acceptance of public mer. “These procedures
comments from residents.
were adopted at the March
“During the temporary 23 Florence City Coun-
COVID-19
procedures, cil special session as a way
public comment received to quickly respond to the
for items on the agenda are emerging crisis while main-
sent to the council either in taining the requirements
the meeting materials dis- of Oregon Public Meetings
tributed on the Thursday and Records Laws.
prior to the meeting, or at 4
“These temporary up-
p.m. on the day of the meet- dates serve to meet the
ing,” she said, adding that needs of social distancing
public comments are also requirements by the state,
included on ci.florence.or.us streamline meetings and
to allow all members of the move to providing virtual
public access to the same in- services during this time of
formation.
crisis.”
“These comments have
There are legal require-
to be written and follow the ments for public input at
policy to be submitted to public meetings for the sim-
allow adequate time before ple reason that better de-
the meeting,” Messmer said. cisions can be made when
“This is different than gen- there is more information
eral public comment.”
used to determine a course
General public comments of action. Allowing public
regarding items not on a city comments on official activ-
council agenda are provided ity also provides a level of
oversight to council deliber-
ations and decisions.
However,
the
city’s
abridgement of this legis-
lated mandate has been per-
ceived by some as stifling
public discourse.
One local resident who
had intended to share her
thoughts with the council
at a recent meeting was Sal-
ly Wantz, who submitted a
Guest Viewpoint to the Siu-
slaw News expressing disap-
pointment in the limitations
resulting from the city’s cur-
rent public comment policy.
“Doing business today is
different from it was before
Covid-19 when I could of-
fer my comments in person
at city council during the
initial 15 minutes of public
comment time,” said Wantz.
“Knowing that council was
not meeting in person on
May 16, I sent comments
via email with the hope and
expectation that my com-
ments would be conveyed
to council and become a
part of the public record
the same as it would have
been in person. However,
since the new public meet-
ing policy has been adopted,
the city council has not held
general public comments on
any items not on the agen-
da.”
Wantz believes this is
wrong and stifles the voic-
es of people who wish to be
heard.
“Yes, I’m disappointed
that council chose the path
that silenced me on May 16,”
she said.
In her public comments,
Wantz had intended to re-
quest that future public
meetings, including city
council, be presented live
via a teleconference format
similar to Zoom and record-
ed for future viewing.
“It’s unfair to citizens who
cannot see our elected and
appointed officials during
public meetings,” Wantz
said. “I want to see faces and
reactions to what is being
said as if I were sitting in the
audience at City Hall.”
Wantz said that, with a
Zoom type of format, the
“host” of the meeting can
allow citizens the opportu-
nity for their three minutes
of verbal comments in full
view of all who are watch-
ing. In addition, the host
would also have full control
to mute comments when
needed, such as when their
time has expired.
“Businesses
worldwide
are conducting business in
this manner. We should as
well,” stated Wantz.
In response to that, Mess-
mer said that, while it is
common practice during
“normal” times to have pub-
lic comment, it is not a re-
quirement.
“Meetings in Oregon are
required to be held in public,
but do not have to have pub-
lic dialogue. Including an
opportunity for members of
the public to provide input
on items that are not public
hearings is a decision that
has been made by the city
council through its policies,”
Messmer said. “The public
is able to reach the council
through email, regular mail,
the Florence City Hall drop
box, 250 Highway 101, and
by phone. These communi-
cations received outside of
public meetings are passed
on to the City Council and/
or the departments respon-
sible for the items discussed.
Citizens can — and do —
publicly communicate their
thoughts, desires, demands,
wishes and complaints
through a variety of other
channels not operated by
the city.
“These are all monitored
and reviewed by staff and
members of the council.”
Afterwards, Wantz, who
said she was appreciative of
the work done by city staff,
was concerned more with
any decision to effectively
exclude submitted com-
ments from the public re-
cord.
“The concerns I shared
in my guest viewpoint were
not with city staff but the
leadership of city council
for declining to share my
comments publicly,” Wantz
said. “It sent a message to
me that my comments don’t
matter. While there is every
expectation that this policy
needs to be in effect during
COVID-19, now is the time
to update that policy to in-
clude a way for all commu-
nity members to be heard.
It’s the right thing to do and
would be a huge sign of re-
spect for our community.”
The decision by staff and
council to limit public com-
ment during meetings to
items already on the agenda
raises the question of how
an issue or concern raised
by a citizen can become an
item worthy of further dis-
cussion.
Messmer again provided
clarity in this area.
“The city manager, in
consultation with the may-
or, prepares city council
agendas. The city manager
is authorized to place rou-
tine items, items referred
by staff or items approved
for action in the City of
Florence’s work plan, on the
agenda without council ap-
proval or action,” Messmer
explained. “In order to have
something on the agenda,
any member of the council
can request an item be add-
ed to the agenda by advising
the mayor and city manager
Do you part and volunteer today to help support
these organizations in our community.
at least one week prior to the
meeting. Page three of the
City Council Rules of Proce-
dure details the process for
creation of the city council
agendas.”
One of the main points to
consider when discussing
the opportunity for mem-
bers of the community to
share their thoughts, experi-
ences and observations with
city leaders is access. Mess-
mer again expressed the de-
sire by city staff to listen to
members of the public but
also to share those commu-
nications with the Florence
City Council.
“Citizens are still able to
communicate their ideas
and questions to the city
council and staff via the
website, email and phone.
Our communication meth-
ods have not changed and
are still in place for citi-
zens to utilize, regardless of
the city council agenda —
which is determined by the
city’s work plan and budget
as adopted by the city coun-
cil,” said Messmer. “During
the city council report and
discussion on each agenda,
members of the city coun-
cil have the opportunity to
discuss items they would
like to be considered. In-
dividual council members
have a constant open com-
munication going with city
manager and can — and do
— request items during the
course of the year.”
The next Florence City
Council meeting is sched-
uled to convene via telecon-
ference on June 8, begin-
ning at 5:30 p.m., and can
be streamed live on the city
website.
To include your
organization
in this directory,
please call us
@ 541-997-3441
Habitat for Humanity
STUDENTS from page 1A
“This is a challenging time
for adults as well, and our
kids are handling it the best
they can.”
New this year for achieve-
ments is the Distance
Learning All-Star category,
where students “have stood
out during tough times,” the
principal said.
These students were
chosen for continued par-
ticipation, turning in as-
signments, actively asking
questions during online in-
struction and showing up to
the office for extra instruc-
tion.
Also, for the first time,
Mapleton staff met to hon-
or five specific students for
persisting through distance
learning.
“They have been academ-
ically strong all year and
they are conscientious stu-
dents,” Moyer said. “They
care about their grades and
are working hard to not only
attend and participate, but
actively engage. With dis-
tance learning, that’s a chal-
lenge in itself. Although we
don’t normally do this, we
decided to say it’s important
to recognize standouts from
our students.”
Whether students have
been shining in the brick-
and-mortar classes of 2019-
20, or the virtual classes go-
ing on now, Moyer said she
is proud of all Mapleton stu-
dents for making it through
a difficult year.
“They have persevered
through the challenges and
are shining,” she said.
Class Achievement Awards
2019/2020 School Year
Makayla Bender — Farm
to Table
Jeffrey Bernhardt — Fris-
bee Best Battle Combo
Ryan Bernhardt — Year-
book
Jahala Blake — College
Prep English Distance
Learning All Star, Con-
temporary Health and
Veterinary Science
Alex Burnett — Physical
Education
Phillip Burnett — College
Prep English Participa-
tion, Physics
Robert Burnett — English
Distance Learning All
Star
Opal Burruss — Business
Achievement, Govern-
ment, Spanish 3 Dis-
tance Learning All Star,
College Prep English,
Distance Learning All
Star
Kylee Carson — Health,
English
Mason Flansberg — Alge-
bra 1 Most Dedicated,
Frisbee Best Battle
Combo
Trinity Holmes — Year-
book, Senior Seminar,
Art
Elenore Hurley — Art
Savannah Johnson —
Math Distance Learning
All Star
Quinn Lewis — Senior
Seminar
Sabrina Marsh — World
Cultures Distance
Learning All Star,
English
Evelynn McMaster —
Health, Farm to Table
Emily Neece — Spanish 1
JJ Neece — Spanish 1,
Writing 121
Landon Peck — Geogra-
phy Distance Learning
All Star
Joslynn Roby — Health
Distance Learning All
Star
Joseph Shepard — Spanish
3 Distance Learning All
Star, College Prep En-
glish Distance Learning
All Star
Brierlynn Shird — Ad-
vanced Art
Jordan Simington — Writ-
ing 121, College Prep
English Distance Learn-
ing All Star
Emily Stevens — Spanish
2
Keevyn Walker — Physical
Education
Justyce Wierichs — Physi-
cal Education, Physics
Kody Wierichs — English,
World Cultures
Staff Choice for Overall
Excellence
Opal Burruss
Joseph Shepard
Jordan Simington
Kody Wierichs
Staff Choice for Overall
Growth
Stuart Clifton
Visit us on
the web
T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM
S IUSLAW N EWS
Bored? Looking for social distancing activities? We have social
distancing volunteer opportunities available. Give us a call 541-902-9227
Helping Hands Coalition
We are in need of volunteers on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. We
need volunteers to serve food, set up for meals and also prepare meals
beginning at 11:00 am and fi nishing at 2:00pm.
New Location: Community Baptist Church, 4590 Hwy. 101, Florence
(Across from Fred Meyer)
Oregon Coast Humane Society
relies heavily on volunteers.
There are many opportunities to volunteer and a variety of skills and
talents are always in need. Volunteer interest forms may be found online,
at the shelter and at our Thrift Shop on Bay Street.
www.oregoncoasthumanesociety.org/volunteer/
Peace Harbor Volunteers
Join the Peace Harbor Hospital Volunteers, you will fi nd an area of
interest in a caring organization.
400 9th Street, Florence
541-997-8412 ext. 2218
Us Too Florence
Saving men one PSA test at a time. “Someone to talk to...who
understands!”
541-997-6626
maribob@oregonfast.net
www.ustoofl orence.org
ESTATE JEWELRY AND
ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!!
Auto, Home, Life, Business
Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance
Phone (541) 997-9497
1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence
We buy, sell and consign quality
estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture.
Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with
precious & semi precious stones.
Call 541-997-8104,
Florence Antiques
&
Coast Jewelers
County Transfer & Recycling
Separating recyclables from your trash
reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfi lls,
saves energy, and reduces emissions!
Items that can go into your recycle cart are:
• Cardboard (fl atten) and Paper (magazines, junk mail,
newspapers, scrap paper, cereal boxes, egg cartons)
• Plastic milk jugs and transparent drinking bottles
(rinse – no lids)
• Metal food and drink cans (rinse – no lids)
Florence recycling picked up on same day as your trash.
541-997-8233
5078 Coastwood Ln, Florence OR
wasteconnections.com
Since 1983
Alva Bracey
Broker
Your goals are my
top priority.
Let’s get together!
LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS
Tires • Brakes • Shocks
Alignments
Call, Text or Email
Cell: 541-505-1180
Insect & Pest Removal
4325 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
541-997-7178
Trapping • Mole/Gopher
Dead Animal Removal • Honey Bee Removal
Crawl Space Cleaning • Exclusion Work
Fumigation of Antiques and Commodities.
(541) 997-4027
Alva@CBCoast.com
541-997-7777
100 Hwy. 101,
Florence, OR
COAST REAL ESTATE
MODEL TRAIN
ENTHUSIASTS
Over
ars
50 Ye ce!
rien
Expe
CALL ME TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE!
I’M LOCATED HERE IN FLORENCE.
541-255-9822 - Larry
landl316@live.com
Us TOO Florence
Prostate Cancer Education
Support on the Oregon Coast
www.ustooflorence.org
• Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday)
5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends.
• Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday)
12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese
Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends.
Contact Bob for more information:
(H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239
maribob@oregonfast.net