Remote participation Code of Virginia Sec 2-3708

Summary

This topic tracks City Council actions taken under Code of Virginia Sec. 2.2-3708.2 (and, most recently, Sec. 2.2-3708.3) to authorize individual councilmembers to participate remotely in meetings. Three separate approvals have been recorded. On 2025-10-07, Council voted unanimously to allow Councilmember Hall to participate remotely under Sec. 2.2-3708.2, with Councilmember Bates absent. On 2026-03-17, Council approved 4-0 (Councilmember Amos absent, Councilmember McQuillen not yet participating) a written request from Councilmember McQuillen for remote participation under Sec. 2.2-3708.2 and adopted City Council policy. Most recently, on 2026-07-07, Council approved 4-0 remote participation for both Councilmembers Hall and McQuillen simultaneously, this time citing Sec. 2.2-3708.3 rather than Sec. 2.2-3708.2, suggesting a possible shift in the governing statutory provision applied.

Open questions & options on the table

• It is unresolved whether the shift from Sec. 2.2-3708.2 (cited in the first two approvals) to Sec. 2.2-3708.3 (cited in the 2026-07-07 approval) reflects a deliberate policy change, a statutory update, or a clerical difference — no explanation is recorded in the material.
• The current status of the council's adopted remote participation policy and whether it has been formally updated to reflect the use of Sec. 2.2-3708.3 is not documented.
• No information is available on whether future remote participation requests are anticipated or whether standing procedures have been established.

Recent updates