Community meetings ‘zoom’ to residents’ homes

The coronavirus pandemic may have slowed municipalities down, but local communities are using technology to continue regular meetings and include the public.
Several have employed  Zoom software which allows each of the city officials to participate in the meeting remotely using computer access and can also be accessed by citizens who can attend the meeting electronically.
Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool with a local desktop client and a mobile application that allows users to meet online, with or without video. Zoom users can choose to record sessions, collaborate on projects, and share or annotate on one another's screens, according to the company website.

Zoom offers video, audio, and a wireless screen-sharing performance across Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Blackberry, Zoom Rooms, and H.323/SIP room systems.
To join a meeting, first access Zoom.us on your computer. Then click the “Join a Meeting” tab located in the top right corner of the homepage. When prompted, add your designated meeting ID which will be a nine, 10 or 11-digit number. The meeting ID should be provided by the city or township you wish to access on the municipal website home page.  Each meeting has a separate ID number. Those steps should provide access to the meeting.
Zoom allows users to share their screen to the entire conference call, although that feature is not usually employed during the current municipal meetings.
In Canton Township, the board of trustees continues to meet to conduct business using a live streamed video broadcast available on  https://shorturl.at/ ghHQ1. An agenda, public notice and full meeting packet of meeting information can also be found at https://www.canton-mi.org/AgendaCenter.
To participate in the meeting, public comments may be submitted to Michael.Siegrist@ Canton-mi.org at any time prior to the meeting. Additionally, a public drop box is located outside of the Canton Administration Building at 1150 S Canton Center Road, Canton.  Siegrist will read comments submitted within the rules of the township board during the meeting. Members of the public who attend by telephone or video may address the board during the public comment period via videoconference.
Since the governor announced the Stay Home Stay Safe order, all City of Plymouth board and commission meetings are utilizing the Zoom application. A link for each meeting is emailed to those who sign up to receive meeting minutes and agendas on the city website, officials said. Links, agendas and meeting minutes are also posted on the city website agenda center. A portion of every meeting is dedicated to public comments. To participate, type “Public Comments - “ in the everyone chat window.
Meetings of the members of the Romulus City Council are also taking place using the Zoom computer program.  Citizens may submit their questions and comments prior to the meeting, no later than 4 p.m. the date of the meeting to: publiccomment@romulusgov.com .
All citizens will be given an opportunity for their comments to be heard and or read during the public comment period of the meeting. To join the Zoom meeting, access  www.romulusgov.com where full instructions for joining the meeting and the meeting ID number will be provided.
The City of Northville has also set up Zoom access for meetings. During these meetings, council members and board and commission members will be on video and guests may choose to view it on video or listen to it on audio only.
To view the meeting on video, you need to log in to the meeting from a computer, tablet or smart phone. On a smart phone, in advance of the meeting, download the Zoom mobile app. For first-time users from a desktop or laptop, when you click on the meeting link you will be prompted to download the software which takes about 30 seconds. You will be prompted to connect audio and/or video, then click on the button that says “Join Meeting.” If you are using a landline or cOIP phone, you can join a Zoom meeting via teleconferencing/audio conferencing by simply dialing the number provided by the city.
The audience will not be on camera. Guests using the video capabilities will appear as audio only (heard but not seen) if they choose to speak publicly, and the same, obviously, for guests who've called in to the meeting. Meetings will be recorded. City council meetings will be posted to the Vimeo account, with access from the city website homepage, the next day unless there are technical difficulties.
Each meeting has an ID number with an access code. You can access the meeting code by starting at the agendas and minutes page (in government) and then click on the council, board or commission meeting you want to attend.
The access code to these meetings is live several minutes prior to the start of the meeting as well as throughout the meeting.
There is no charge to participate in Zoom meetings.
The City of Westland council meetings are also taking place utilizing the Zoom feature. Information is available at the city website, wwwcityofwestland.com. Instructions for participating in public comment at the meeting are also available. Electronic attendees will be able to use the “Raise Hand” function during the citizen's comments sections of the meeting.
The council president will recognize the resident and will be allowed to speak when called upon for up to 3 minutes. Telephone attendees will be placed in a queue by pressing *9 and will be identified and called upon by the last four digits of their telephone number.
Normal public comment protocols will be followed, officials said.
Belleville, Inkster and Wayne officials have cancelled public meetings through the end of the month, as have township board members in Sumpter and Northville in an effort to adhere to the governor's extended orders and keep township employees and the public safe.