Council President Scott Announces Changes to Board of Estimates Meetings to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

Council President Scott Announces Changes to Board of Estimates Meetings to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

BALTIMORE, MD (March 15, 2020) — Baltimore City Council President Brandon M. Scott announced Sunday a series of changes to meetings of the Board of Estimates to prevent the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.

“In addition to my role as President of the City Council, I also preside over the Board of Estimates,” said Council President Scott. “In that capacity, I am issuing the following guidance for the administration of BOE meetings. Although this is a very serious public health emergency, we cannot allow basic City services to cease. This Board agenda, for instance, includes much needed money for emergency management.”

The Council President announced the following steps, effective with the Wednesday, March 18 meeting of the Board of Estimates:

1. All Board members will sit the maximum possible distance apart. 
2. Only essential staff should attend Board of Estimates meetings. 
3. The President encourages staff and members of the public to maintain a safe social distance to prevent the unnecessary communication of germs. 
4. The Board of Estimates pre-meeting will be conducted in the Reeves Conference Room on the Fourth Floor of City Hall in order to better allow for social distancing. 
5. Every other seat in the Hyman A. Pressman Board Room will be blocked off to enforce social distancing. 
6. Members of the public and the press are encouraged to watch Board of Estimates meetings  via CharmTV’s livestream or on Comcast Channel 25. 
7. Hand sanitizer will be made available at the entrance of the Hyman A. Pressman Board Room prior to and during every Board of Estimates meeting. 
8. The Council President’s Office will work with the Department of General Services to ensure the proper cleaning of the Reeves Room and Pressman Room.

An archive of previous Board of Estimates and City Council meetings and hearings can be found on CharmTV’s YouTube page.