Council holds remote meeting

Mayor John Laney convened the Demopolis City Council Thursday, but nobody attended the meeting in Rooster Hall.

Instead, he and all five councilmen met via phone and conducted all the business within five minutes.

The council took the unprecedented action as a precaution against the possible spread of COVID-19. Other city employees, department heads and the general public could call in and listen.

The three votes – approving the agenda, the minutes of the last meeting and the January financials – had to be taken by roll call.

Laney’s only announcement was an addition to Gov. Kay Ivey’s directive on holding remote meetings. The added section stated that a meeting could be cancelled if rescheduled in a timely manner.

The next scheduled council meeting is April 16.