Hickory Sun

City of Newton issued the following announcement on May 15.

In order to minimize exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) and to maintain the safety of City of Newton residents, City staff, and the City Council, in compliance with Gubernatorial Executive Orders with provisions for social distancing, limits on gatherings, stay-at-home mandates, and the State of Emergency as declared by the Mayor of the City of Newton, the Regular Meeting of the Newton City Council will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2020, via an electronic meeting format as permitted by North Carolina General Statute 143-318.13.

The meeting will be hosted via YouTube for viewing and may be accessed as a livestream here at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2020. There is no cost associated with viewing the meeting through YouTube. The meeting shall also be accessible for public comments as hereinafter referenced. The City Council will participate remotely. For citizens who would like to participate in the meeting by making a public comment, there are three ways to do so:

1. Citizens may submit a public comment on non-agenda items related to City business via email to City Clerk Amy Falowski at cityclerk@newtonnc.gov by 5 p.m. the day of the meeting. Please include your name and address in your email. Your comment will be read to the City Council by the City Clerk or other designated City official.
2. Citizens may submit a public comment on non-agenda items related to City business by calling 828-695-4359 and leaving a voice comment no later than 5 p.m. the day of the meeting. Please include your name and address in your comment. Your comment will be read to the City Council by the City Clerk or other designated City official.
3. Members of the public, media, or others shall be able to listen to the electronic meeting as well as make oral comments during the public comment period or during a public hearing in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-318.13 in the Gantt Room located at Newton City Hall, 401 North Main Avenue, Newton, NC. Pursuant to existing Council policy, comments shall be limited to three (3) minutes. A maximum of ten (10) individuals, including one staff person from the City of Newton, shall be allowed in the Gantt Room pursuant to Gubernatorial Executive Order 121.

The City of Newton is making every effort to ensure that the public is able to not only listen to the meeting but also to participate in the public comments portion of the meeting while still maintaining statutory requirements and keeping the public safe.

Original soure: http://www.newtonnc.gov/coronavirus/citynews.php