Legislature Chairman David B. Donaldson Rearranges Legislative Schedule
Kingston, NY- David Donaldson, Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature, announced today that he will be rearranging the March and April Legislative schedule to allow the county workforce and members of the public to adjust to video and phone meeting attendance and provide the County Executive’s Office with some breathing room and additional time to prepare paperwork while simultaneously dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.
“I have to say, first and foremost, that Legislative staff, and the entire county workforce is doing an amazing job in the midst of school closures, Social Distancing protocols and the many other challenges we are all facing right now,” Chairman Donaldson stated. “We are still open for business and ready, willing and able to provide the best service to the residents of Ulster County. With that said, it is imperative that we conduct the peoples’ business in the safest possible way,” he continued.
In addition, the Chairman recognizes that the County Executive and his staff are doing a tremendous job, working around the clock to best protect the residents of Ulster County during this unprecedented situation. “The work that is done by department heads and staff throughout the County to prepare contracts and resolution information in line with Legislative deadlines is a big job,” Chairman Donaldson commented. “It is the least we can do to give them a little extra time while they figure out how to balance their regular job responsibilities with managing this crisis,” he continued. “We are all trying to comply with the state’s workforce reduction mandates while continuing to keep Ulster County residents safe and informed. I think it makes the most sense, and is a relatively easy thing, to alter schedules,” he concluded.
The Legislative calendar will be pushed back at least one week during which time there will be evaluation, testing, and implementation of a system which will allow Legislators to attend meetings via video and/or telephone while providing public access and compliance with the state’s adjusted Open Meetings Law.
“Basically, we’re just moving things around a bit to give everyone a second to take a deep breath, get refocused, continue working and, most importantly, do it in a way that helps keep county employees, their families, and Ulster County residents safe and healthy during this difficult time,” Chairman Donaldson said.
Resolutions for consideration at the April Legislative Session are now due by 12 noon on Friday, April 3rd. The Legislature’s Standing Committees will now hold meetings beginning the week of April 13th with the April Regular Legislative Session moved to Tuesday, April 28th.
Members of the public are strongly encouraged to check the Legislative Calendar for the most updated schedule. The Calendar can be accessed by clicking HERE, or by typing the following URL into any web browser:
https://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/calendar.php?crd=uccalendar&
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