Commission Declines To Return To In-Person Meetings

bhcityhall2-28
bhcityhall2-28

Benton Harbor City Commissioners will not be going back to in-person meetings soon. That’s after a vote on a proposal to return to normal was shot down by the commission Monday night. Due to the pandemic, the body has been meeting virtually, but Commissioner Juanita Henry said it’s time to get back into city hall. Commissioner Mary Alice Adams said social distancing and other responsible measures would be difficult in the commission chambers.

“I peeped in the chamber, and the way our chairs are set, they’re very close, and there’s no plastic partition between us,” Adams said.

City Manager Ellis Mitchell said he’d rather keep the public out of city hall for safety’s sake.

“I think the governor is doing a fine job of taking her time and bringing things back when it’s safe,” Mitchell said. “We have a number of staff people in this building that have not, as far as I know, not been subjected to anything. They are seemingly healthy and they are working, and I would just hate to put them at risk.”

Commissioner Henry said some city residents can’t attend meetings if they’re only held online. She also wanted city hall to completely reopen to the public. The motion to return to normal failed on a vote of eight to one. Only Henry voted yes.