City of Camas Returns to Virtual-Only Public Meetings As Delta Variant Surges

CAMAS, WA – The City of Camas will return to a virtual-only meeting format for all public meetings, effective Sept. 1, 2021.  This will include City Council meetings, Planning Commission, Library Board of Directors, Parks and Recreation Commission, as well as all other boards and commissions’ meetings. While City officials were excited to offer the additional in-person format, the public safety of the Community and staff takes precedent.

This decision comes as other cities and jurisdictions have moved back to remote-only public meetings, due to an increase in the Delta variant cases of COVID 19 across the county and state.

Officials will review the decision regularly, in conjunction with neighboring agencies, to determine when, and if, the hybrid public meeting format can be returned to.  Additionally, an ordinance will come before the city council in Sept., that will update the Camas Municipal Code to include remote meetings, while maintaining city hall as the in-person meeting location. This code update will eliminate the need to classify public meetings as “special” meetings due to the meeting location being different.

In addition to a return to remote meetings, face coverings will now be required indoors for all city buildings for individuals 5 years and older, regardless of vaccination status as stated in the recent State Secretary of Health order: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/Secretary_of_Health_Order_20-03_Statewide_Face_Coverings.pdf

The mask mandate includes employees and visitors to any City buildings.