Exclusive: Prince William Chair says “PWC govt must continue to serve & protect”

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will hold its first meeting in the era of the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, March 31.

Not only do we have more information on how the meeting will be held, and how crowds will be handled at the county’s McCoart government center during the meeting, we’re also hearing from the top elected leader of the governing body on her decision to hold the meeting.

In a statement to Potomac Local News, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair At-large Ann Wheeler, life, and the work of the local government must go on.

1 of 2 The highest priority of the BOCS is to protect the health and ensure the safety of ever PWC resident. Now, more than ever, the PWC govt. must continue to serve & protect your. The Governor’s order does not limit the operation of government just for this reason.

— Ann Wheeler (@AnninPWC) March 29, 2020

2 of 2 To ensure our continued response to the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic, my colleagues and I will meet to consider and determine the rules and procedures that are necessary for the continuity of PWC govt. (please quote as one)

— Ann Wheeler (@AnninPWC) March 29, 2020

As we reported yesterday, the Board of County Supervisors will consider a resolution to suspend public comment inside the Board Chambers during the pandemic.

According to information released yesterday from the Prince William County Government, which we have here in a PDF file, the procedure of this meeting will be unlike prior meetings.

Members of the public will be allowed to stand in clearly marked spaces in the atrium with appropriate spacing between individuals and in accordance with recommended official social distancing guidelines. There will be no seating provided in the atrium.

Staff will be present to assist the public entering the building, manage the members of the public located in Chambers and the atrium, and promote public health and safety

Once the available spaces in Chambers and the atrium are occupied, no other members of the public will be allowed to enter the building until other individuals leave and space is
available.

Individuals who have signed up to speak during Public Comment Time but are not in the building when their number is called will be allowed to enter the building, address the Board, and will be asked to exit the building once again through proper social distancing.

A staff member will be responsible for opening the door into Chambers to allow members of the public entry and exit into the room while keeping social distancing practices in place.

A microphone will be placed on the permanent stand at the back of Board Chambers for any members of the public wishing to speak.

Members of the public will be asked to refrain from touching the microphone or stand located at the back of the room; if a speaker does touch the microphone, the microphone or stand will be wiped with a disinfectant wipe by staff prior to the next speaker.

At the conclusion of any in-person Board or BBC meeting, members of the public are encouraged to safely and promptly exit the McCoart Building, while maintaining social distancing. The McCoart Building will then be closed to the public until 15 minutes prior to the next in-person Board of [County Supervisors] meeting.