Luzerne County Council OKs emergency declaration in virtual meeting

In yet another example of changing times amid the coronavirus pandemic, the 11-member Luzerne County Council held an emergency meeting Thursday solely by phone, with audio of its discussions and votes streamed live online and no members physically present at the courthouse.

Its key action on Thursday was to approve an ordinance supporting county Manager C. David Pedri’s emergency declaration, which was initially issued on Sunday.

For those watching at home, the action took place against a surreal backdrop: Officials’ voices could be heard, but all that was visible was the empty council room in which they would normally sit.

The airing on YouTube started at 11:30 a.m., or a half hour before the meeting, with a view from the courthouse meeting room showing a microphone aimed at the speaker phone device and the chair’s gavel.

At one point the camera panned the audience area containing no people. Jazz music filled the void before the meeting instead of the usual chatter of council members, citizens and workers catching up or sharing pleasantries, criticism or information.

The voice of Council Chairman Tim McGinley broke the silence after the music had stopped.

He called the meeting to order and asked his colleagues and others watching to stand wherever they were for the usual pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. A roll call verified all 11 council members were participating.

McGinley opened the meeting with a speech, saying the meeting platform is council’s “unprecedented response to an unprecedented crisis.”

Even if council members wanted to meet in person, the state and federal government are strongly discouraging gatherings of 10 or more.

“There will be hiccups,” McGinley said of the virtual meeting. “We are requesting that you understand the magnitude of what we are trying to accomplish today and be patient.”

Council will evaluate what did and didn’t work in Thursday’s meeting in case more online sessions are needed as the pandemic evolves, he said.

The main problem appeared to be the inability for most council members to hear colleagues Robert Schnee and Harry Haas, even though the voices of the two were audible to viewers.

McGinley said after the meeting that Schnee and Haas called in and were heard by speaker as they would be if they attended a typical meeting by phone, when other council members are physically present in the room. The other council members opted to use a teleconference virtual meeting platform called Zoom on Thursday, he said.

While some viewers posted chat observations online — including one attempting to alert council that Schnee was voting yes when they couldn’t hear him — there were no formal citizen public comments by name officially presented at the meeting. Council members acknowledged some general comments sent by email.

Council members voted Thursday to suspend regularly scheduled meetings for 30 days, which impacts ones that had been set for March 24 and April 14. However, more virtual meetings may be required before then.

Scott Cannon, of Video Innovations, volunteered to provide the livestream of Thursday’s meeting, and he also performed his usual work videotaping the meeting for a live broadcast on Service Electric Cable. The meeting also could be viewed live through Microsoft Teams.

A link to play back the meeting can be found at www.videoinnovations.biz.

Emergency declaration

Noting he has “total faith” in Pedri and his staff, Haas asked for clarification on the manager’s powers while the declaration is in effect.

Assistant Solicitor Vito DeLuca said Pedri will possess legislative power in addition to his executive authority, but only for matters related to the emergency situation. However, DeLuca said the goal would be to keep council involved in legislative decisions by holding voting meetings if necessary, even if they are virtual ones.

DeLuca was among those heavily involved in structuring Thursday’s meeting and said the process will be tweaked to conduct government business in the “new normal” that will exist until the crisis is over.

Councilman Walter Griffith said Pedri has been trying to keep council updated, but he wanted to make it clear council should be informed if the manager must approve expenses that are not budgeted due to the emergency situation.

Pedri spoke up in an attempt to say that was his plan, but the others couldn’t hear him. He followed up with an email, thanking council for its unanimous backing of the declaration, stressing that council is a “key part” of the government and committing to provide updates and remain accessible.

“Our only chance of success in fighting this and protecting our citizens is if we work together. I know it will be difficult, but I look forward to facing this challenge with you,” Pedri wrote.

Griffith withdrew his proposal to extend the rebate period to pay 2020 county real estate taxes, pending further legal review of options and consideration of the logistics.