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<br />Ms. Forster stated that at this point what she has heard with regard to implementation of the statute <br />is the physical quorum, no limitations, not in closed sessions and access to technology by all <br />Councilmembers. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch explained that no limitations referred to the fact that there would be no limitations <br />placed on the number of times or reasons that it can be used. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft asked Ms. Forster whether this process could be piloted during a Study Session, and if <br />so, whether it would be particularly effective to do so. Ms. Forster stated that the purpose of the <br />statute is for voting, so if no votes are taken during a Study Session then the statute would not be <br />applicable. <br /> <br />Mr. Crow asked if there was a prohibition against voting in a Study Session. Ms. Forster stated that <br />there was not. Mr. Crow advised Ms. Forster that Council had previously voted on issues during a <br />Study Session, therefore videoconferencing should not be prohibited. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft stated that Council only voted to put something on the agenda where it will be formally <br />voted on. <br /> <br />Ms. Forster questioned whether roll call votes were utilized during Study Sessions. Mr. Kraft stated <br />that Council has never conducted a roll call or final vote during a Study Session. <br /> <br />Mr. Crow stated that his belief is that final votes had been taken by previous Councils. He stated <br />that although he does not really see the benefit of it, he did not see anything wrong with <br />participating in a Study Session by videoconference if something of interest was being discussed. <br /> <br />Ms. Forster stated that the statute specifically talks about votes taken by a roll call at meetings, so <br />she does not know whether a vote would technically be permitted in a Study Session since it is not <br />a roll call vote. However she does not see any problem with someone participating via <br />videoconference. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft stated that although videoconferencing might be awkward at a Study Session he would <br />suggest that Council try it once to see if it works. <br /> <br />Mr. Glickert stated that if someone participates in the Study Session via Skype then it seems like <br />the natural progression would be to participate in the Regular Session. <br /> <br />Ms. Carr stated that she would be hesitant to say try it once because there is always a learning <br />curve with technology. She stated that although it is the law and Council should not be restrictive, <br />she would suggest that it be tried for a period of time before rendering any conclusions. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft stated that the only thing about Study Sessions is that they do not require a quorum and <br />he does not have a clue as to whether that matters or not. <br /> <br />Mr. Sharpe asked for a point of clarification with respect to voting at a Study Session. <br /> <br />Mayor Welsch stated that as far back as she can remember roll call votes have never been taken <br />during Study Sessions. She then asked Ms. Forster whether there was a legal difference between <br />a voice vote and a roll call vote. Ms. Forster stated that ordinances required a roll call vote and <br />obviously you would never vote on an ordinance in a Study Session. <br /> <br />Mr. Crow stated that although it may be more of a directive, he believes that historically Council has <br />given authorization to the City Manager to perform a certain act by a voice vote during Study <br />Sessions. <br /> <br /> <br />