By Matt Roy
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

Cities and other local governments around the Valley continue to reopen public facilities following the end of Gov. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order, which he allowed to expire on May 15.

Yet while some parks, programs and services are opening for business again, various jurisdictions — while uniformly citing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health experts’ recommendations — are taking differing approaches to accessing public meetings.

For example, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors — which meets two Wednesday mornings each month for its formal meetings — ended public access to the Supervisors’ Auditorium, 205 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, in March following the widespread COVID-19 outbreak.

Despite the lessening of social distancing restrictions across the state over the past weeks, county officials have chosen to keep those meetings closed for the time being.

“Following CDC guidelines and Governor Ducey’s Executive Order 2020-09 regarding recommendation to limit social gatherings, no residents will be allowed in the Board of Supervisors’ meeting rooms,” officials stated at the county’s website, maricopa.gov.

In an email message to his District 4 constituents, board Chairman Clint Hickman encouraged residents to attend the panel’s May 20 formal meeting remotely.

“This should be an informative meeting that will show how the county is navigating tax dollars amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr. Hickman stated in the May 14 release.

The county offers multiple remote options, including: accessing a free GoToWebinar.com session; watching the meeting live on the county’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/maricopacountyaz; or listening in via phone with an access code.

Access codes and phone numbers may change for each meeting, so officials provide up-to-date access information at Maricopa.gov/324, which is refreshed just prior to each scheduled meeting.

The meetings are typically archived at the YouTube channel up to five days after.

Peoria City Council

Officials in Peoria last week opened their City Council meetings to the public for the first time since Mayor Cathy Carlat declared a state of local emergency on March 19.

The reopening, implemented with precautions, was announced as part of a three-phase plan announced to begin on May 18 with the first public City Council meeting conducted on May 19.

“As part of the city’s phased approach to reopening buildings and facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, public meetings will resume in the Peoria Council Chamber with some physical distancing protocols in place. Capacity will be restricted during public meetings in Phase One,” Peoria officials stated at the city’s website, peoriaaz.gov.

The capacity was limited to only sparse attendance, with residents seated six feet apart. Officials said they were prepared to direct attendees to a separate remote-viewing room if too many participants had shown up.

“These measures are in place to ensure the health and safety of residents while discussions, deliberations and actions of the mayor and city council remain transparent,” officials stated.

No member of the public requested to speak at the meeting, which all members of the City Council attended in person.

From-home attendance at Peoria public meetings continues as well, with access provided at Cox Channel 11 and at the city’s social media page, www.facebook.com/CityofPeoriaAz.

Dates for future phases of the reopening have not yet been determined, according to officials.

“Phase Two anticipated as the Governor’s reopening plan progresses,” officials stated in their published COVID-10 recovery plan.

Surprise City Council

Officials in Surprise announced Tuesday a multi-phased approach to reopening city facilities, including public access to Surprise City Hall, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise.

As of June 1, the city’s cashier, development services, fire administration and AZ TechCelerator will reopen to the public, while the Surprise Resource Center, already open on a limited basis, reverts to normal hours. The City Court has scheduled a return to in-person proceedings on June 2.

As residents return to city facilities, officials recommend continued caution to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus.

“To help protect the health and safety of our employees and visitors, preparations are being made to frequently clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, add additional hand sanitizing stations, install plexiglass barriers at service counters, and promote physical distancing,” officials stated at the city’s website, surpriseaz.gov/COVID-19.

Face masks and other PPE are voluntarily requested, but not required at City Hall; while they are required for those attending Surprise City Court.

But as some previously closed services and areas are reopening, no in-person attendance at City Council meetings is scheduled yet due to social distancing guidelines, officials stated in a May 26 release.

“City Council and boards and commissions meetings remain closed to the public until August, and will reopen if federal and state guidance allows for increased gathering numbers at that time,” they stated.

The Surprise City Council, whose meetings have been closed since March, by longstanding tradition does not normally meet during July.

Surprise residents are still encouraged to attend council meetings remotely, with a variety of viewing options available at www.surpriseaz.gov/agendas.

A tale of two Sun Cities

Leaders in the Sun City and Sun City West communities continue to employ different approaches to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.

Recreation Centers of Sun City West officials in a May 20 press release announced plans to partially reopen some facilities to public use for the first time since March, though caution is still urged.

“If we could keep these facilities closed until the risk is abated, we would,” said RCSCW General Manager Bill Schwind. “Unfortunately, the experts tell us COVID-19 will be with us for quite a long time, and the stress on our residents from the long-term isolation is beginning to show. We feel opening now with an emphasis on personal responsibility is our only option. We are still abiding by the Governor’s orders and CDC guidelines on spacing and distancing, and we ask our residents to make decisions in line with their own personal health.”

As in other communities, wearing face masks is recommended but not required, while officials will provide PPE to those who wish to use them. Staffers are also increasing sanitation sweeps as residents are asked to wash their hands frequently and avoid congregation.

While RCSCW members are allowed in some facilities, guests are not at this time, according to the press release.

Reopened facilities include the some outdoor pools, fitness centers and dog parks, along with the Member Services, Date Resource Center and Box Office at the R.H. Johnson Recreation Center.

As of June 9, the R.H. Johnson Sports Pavilion will reopen for bowling, billiards and darts, though only half of the lanes will be available and no bowling equipment will be rented — bowlers must bring their own.

While some activities are restarting, RCSCW officials will continue to conduct board meetings remotely. All currently calendared board and committee meetings through June remain labeled either “remote” or “cancelled.”

However, in nearby Sun City, officials at the Recreation Centers of Sun City — as well as those at the Sun City Home Owners Association and the Sun City Community Assistance Network — have yet to offer remote access to meetings, according to a May 20 report in the Sun City Independent.

For those who do attend public meetings, PPE and proper social distancing are mandatory, according to the RCSC website.

“All meeting attendees will be required to wear face masks and abide by physical distancing requirements until further notice,” officials stated.