Parksley council adopts emergency ordinance after striking suspension of rules

Mayor Wayne Marshall presided over an emergency Parksley Town Council meeting May 15, 2020 and the council unanimously adopted Ordinance 20-01, a measure described at the meeting as intended to ensure continuity of government and set emergency procedures for meetings during the COVID-19 crisis.

Clerk Letitia Greer read the text of Ordinance 20-01 to those assembled. Councilman Sam Welch raised concerns about Section 2b of the proposal, noting it would suspend council-adopted Rules of Procedure. After discussion, the council agreed to strike Section 2b from the ordinance before voting.

Councilman Vince Savona moved to adopt Ordinance 20-01 as amended, and Councilman Dan Matthews seconded. The council recorded Ayes from Matthews, Julie Nash, Savona, Welch and Frank Russell; No votes were recorded. The motion passed unanimously and the ordinance was adopted with Section 2b removed.

Following the vote, Mayor Wayne Marshall asked Clerk Letitia Greer to research electronic meeting options for the council; Clerk Greer agreed to do so. The council then voted to adjourn; the emergency meeting began at noon and adjourned at 12:18 p.m.

The action taken at the emergency meeting implements an amended Ordinance 20-01 for Parksley that the council said is intended to address continuity of government and meeting procedures during the public-health emergency. No further details about the ordinance text or an effective date were specified at the meeting.