CUMBERLAND — The mayor and City Council meeting for the second time this month will be held at the Allegany County building on Kelly Road.
Needed repairs at City Hall have caused the venue change.
Livestreaming of City Council meetings has been discussed as a way to allow more folks to be included in Cumberland decisions.
At an October work session, Councilman Rock Cioni said he wanted to increase public involvement in council meetings.
More folks might participate if the meetings were livestreamed, Councilman Eugene Frazier said at that time.
“I think it should become a regular thing,” Frazier said. “We’ll be more open.”
Although the city streamed its council meetings during the pandemic, “live meeting coverage is not being broadcast at this time,” Cumberland’s website states and directs questions to the city clerk’s office.
Area municipalities that livestream public meetings include Frostburg’s mayor and City Council, Allegany County Board of Commissioners, Allegany County Public Schools, Garrett County Board of Commissioners and the Youghiogheny local Scenic and Wild River Advisory Board.
Last month, City Administrator Jeff Silka said there are no plans to livestream the council’s meetings.
“The idea is to have public engagement,” he said of in-person attendance at the meetings.
The city posts an information packet on its website prior to meetings, Silka said.
“Our meetings are very accessible and the public is welcome to attend,” he said.
On Tuesday, the mayor and City Council will hold a public work session at 5:30 p.m. followed by a regular scheduled meeting at 6:15 p.m. in room 100 of the County Complex, 701 Kelly Road.
“Meeting agendas are attached and may be further referenced through the city’s website,” a Cumberland press release stated Friday.