OC Will Not Resume Remote Meeting Access

OCEAN CITY – City Council will not allow access to meetings via Zoom for the foreseeable future, The Press of Atlantic City reported.
During Covid, meetings were held virtually. The online participation option remained even after the council was in-person once again.
One resident, Suzanne Hornick, has often participated via virtual public comment. She showed up to the meeting to take issue with the decision, The Press reported.
At least two council members, Jody Levchuk and Karen Bergman, have argued in the past that maximizing public participation was best. Neither spoke during the most recent conversation on the subject, held August 11, according to The Press.
City Administrator George Savastano, while acknowledging the decision is entirely up to the council, reportedly agreed with the decision to end remote participation as an option.
The issue persists as a point of contention in several municipalities across the county. Only a handful have retained the option, citing the many second homeowners who seek a voice in government.