UTICA MAYOR ROBERT PALMIERI & ROME MAYOR JACKIE IZZO ANNOUNCE IN-PERSON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT COUNCIL MEETINGS

In-person participation at Council Meetings is Phase 1 of Reopening City Halls

Utica Mayor Palmieri and Rome Mayor Jackie Izzo today announced, due to declining COVID infection rates and rising vaccinations rates, the public will be able to attend Common Council meetings.  In-person public participation at Council meetings is Phase 1 for reopening City Hall for both municipalities.  

The first City of Utica Common Council meeting open for in-person public participation will be May 19^th, while the first City of Rome Common Council meeting will be May 26^th. 

Temperature checks and contact tracing forms will be utilized.  In addition, all individuals who attend Council meetings must wear a face covering and socially distance (except individuals living in the same household).   

The public will still be able to virtually participate in the Council meetings for both municipalities. 

As Phase 1 is implemented, both municipalities will assess and monitor the situation with a goal to gradually, and safely, reopen City Hall to the public as more city employees continue to obtain their vaccinations. 

Mayor Palmieri and Mayor Izzo are also coordinating with state and local health officials to determine when senior centers can reopen.

Mayor Palmieri stated, “It is the responsibility of public officials to promote the health of our residents.  I am pleased Mayor Izzo and I are announcing in-person public participation for Council meetings.  Implementation of Phase 1 is a major step forward as we adjust to the new normal.  In the meantime, we must continue to observe public health guidelines to continue the positive trend of declining infection rates.”

Mayor Izzo stated, “Mayor Palmieri and I have been collaborating throughout the pandemic in an effort to provide continuity of services across our two cities. Reopening Common Council meetings to the public following all current virus mitigation procedures is another important step in the process. Infection rates seem to finally be turning the corner with increased vaccination and common sense adherence to public health virus guidance. It has been a long road, but we are grateful for the fantastic cooperation of our citizens who are leading us back to a sense of normalcy.”