Tonight (2021-04-05) was the Honeoye Falls Annual Meeting, and before that the Public Hearing for next years Budget.
At least in an official sense. The public was denied admittance to the location, and the audio was unintelligible for the first portion of the meeting. It did eventually get better, but a significant portion of budget discussion was missed.
I’m pretty sure the entire first Public Hearing occurred (opened, closed, law passed) before the audio improved. I did make a comment, but I have no idea if anyone heard me. For all I know I received a response, but couldn’t hear that either.
Completely ignoring the panic and all it’s fallout, I think equal footing is essential for a proper meeting. Everyone in the same room could be fine. Everyone on their own device (ie Zoom, etc) could also be fine.
Where it can easily fall apart is when some people are in the room and some people are elsewhere. When that happens those in the room can (and do) go on regardless of what those elsewhere are experiencing. When the Board is together and the public is apart, this can result in a mockery of both Open Meetings and Public Hearings. As happened tonight (and various times in the past).
If the public can’t hear, how can it be an Open Meeting? We the people are unable to tell what our government is doing on our behalf (both good and bad). If the public can’t be heard (because they can’t tell when is the time to speak), how can it be a Public Hearing? And left unheard, the rift between governed and governing grows.
It’s a rough spot for everyone involved. Absent deliberate actions on all sites, I can see this easily eroding trust to the point of breaking. Not necessarily because of any malice, but just compounding frustration as communication fails time after time.
In the end, meetings are logistical problems. Which can be overcome, if anyone cares to do so. Put everyone online (Board included), meet outside (weather permitting), find a bigger meeting room (schools, churches, etc). That government has so much else to do that this doesn’t happen is somewhat understandable. But as Rick (Mayor) alluded to, keeping the public involved is a legal requirement. Not to mention being a good idea.
On the plus side, the video was fine throughout. Not good enough for lip reading, but I could easily identify those in view.
In the end, the audio quality improved, the budget was approved, and they moved onto the (re)appointments.
Not much to say there. Necessary procedural step, but highly repetitive and likely only of interest to those being (re)appointed. Which does highlight the advantage of not being at the meeting in person: I can do other things without distracting the crowd. I still say being in the room is the better option (and the Board’s actions imply they agree), but there is always a silver lining if you want to find it.
When those finished, Rick gave his ‘State of the Village’ speech. He acknowledged the weakness, and necessity, of holding meetings online. He was proud of how well we have all done in the past year, especially the emergency services. A number of new and expanding businesses were named, pointing towards economic improvements. I got the sense Rick was hopeful for the future, as he called us to be friendly and welcoming to all.
As this portion of the meeting was recorded, you may well be able to listen to his speech at some point in the future.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the April 5, 2021 Annual Meeting of the Honeoye Falls Board of Trustees.