City of Oklahoma City public meetings subject to the Open Meeting Act will be held in-person beginning Nov. 16 after the expiration of a state law allowing governments to conduct them remotely.
During the coronavirus pandemic, most City Council meetings and the City’s other public meetings have been held by teleconference or videoconference. The Oklahoma State Legislature’s Senate Bill 661 temporarily amended the Open Meeting Act to allow the remotely conducted meetings, but it expires Nov. 15.
Meetings of the City Council and many other boards, trusts and commissions are in the newly renovated Council Chamber on the third floor of City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave.
City Hall and other City buildings will remain closed to the public except during scheduled public meetings.
Visit okc.gov/agenda to find meeting agendas, locations and other details.
Safety guidelines
The following safety guidelines are in place during the COVID-19 pandemic for meetings in the Council Chamber at City Hall:
- Face coverings are required throughout the building. Disposable face masks are available upon entry.
- Only the south entrance to the building is open. A Police Department cadet conducts temperature checks and provides a color-coded wrist band. All other doors are locked, but can be used as an exit by pressing green “exit” buttons on the interior wall.
- Meeting attendees are required to sign a log for contact tracing purposes.
- ADA access doors to the Chamber will remain unlocked. Other Chamber doors are marked “entrance” and “exit.” The doors will remain open as much as possible.
- Air purifying machines are in the Chamber. Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are available.
- Plexiglass barriers are in place around the horseshoe seating for the Council members, other officers and staff.
- Seating for up to 33 people is available in the gallery. Up to 3 people can sit in an open pew. Every other pew is taped off. Family groups may sit together and exceed the limit of 3 people per pew.
- If needed, overflow seating will be available in the lobbies on the third and second floors.
- The Chamber will be cleaned and sanitized daily.
- The press box is limited to 7 media members.
The Risk Management Office will assess other meeting sites as needed to determine relevant safety protocols.
Visit covid19.okc.gov for the latest local information on the coronavirus pandemic.
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Media Contact
Kristy Yager
(405) 297-2550
kristy.yager@okc.gov
