Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has signed an executive order to let commissions, boards and panels resume their work. These groups have been unable to meet for two months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The order signed Monday lets members temporarily meet online and consider various proposals related to affordable housing, behavioral health, education and development.
The groups are allowed to meet online due to recent changes to the Ohio Revised Code, which temporarily allows the government groups to convene web-based meeting
City staff will host meetings for these groups using a video conferencing platform. Agendas and case materials will be posted to commission websites prior to meetings.
"Columbus relies on the work of commissions, boards, and panels to provide input, serve as public forums, and make decisions regarding city business," Ginther said in an emailed statement. "In order to keep their important work moving forward, we need to allow for new ways of meeting while maintaining social distance."
As the boards get back to work, they will have to tackle approximately 140 development applications, according to a press release from the mayor's office.
