Keep your distance for meetings

HUNTINGTON BEACH CIVIC CENTER (Orange County Tribune photo).

Starting next week, all meetings of the Huntington Beach City Council will be held virtually, using computers and other electronic devices to conduct the city’s business.

“The health and safety of our residents is our highest priority, and online council meetings are just one of several steps we’re taking to protect our community during this pandemic,” said Mayor Kim Carr. “During this historic [coronavirus] surge, we can’t afford to disregard public health guidelines that can save lives and restore our local economy, and we plan to do our part.”

The new policy may be in part in response to two members of the council – at one point – not wearing masks at meetings. Tito Ortiz, the mayor pro tem, has expressed skepticism about COVID-19, referring to the spread of the coronavirus as a “plandemic.”

Although the meetings will not be held in the council chambers, citizens can watch the proceedings on HBTV’s Channel 3 and city website, and make comments via Zoom – www.zoom.us – or by calling (669) 900-6833 and entering the webinar ID 971-5413-0528 .