By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorProcedures are in place to allow video conferencing at Warrenton Board of Aldermen meetings in the event members cannot attend in person.As part of a new policy adopted this month, participation will be limited to one board member per meeting. Video conferencing is only allowed if the board member is out of town or physically unable to attend.The mayor or members of the public cannot participate in video conferencing, the policy states.Also, the board member who plans to attend via video must notify the city clerk no later than noon on a meeting day and must establish the connection in a sufficient time so that the start of a meeting is not interrupted.Should there be any technology problems encountered that affect the live transmission, the video conference participant is determined to be absent. If the absence affects a quorum, the meeting will become a work session and no votes can be taken.“It has to be a two-way conversation,” Director of Operations/Finance Officer Terri Thorn said.The policy was approved by a 4-2 vote at the Oct. 6 meeting. Aldermen Karen Casserly, Toni Hawley, Damion Frederick and Bob Delaloye supported the guidelines, while Gary Auch and Jim Dreyer were opposed.Auch said he did not like the idea of video conferencing since there could be a time delay during discussions and restricted interaction between aldermen.“Unless it’s a crisis, a natural disaster where the board can’t physically assemble, I don’t have a problem with it,” he added. “For an ongoing meeting, being out of town, I have a real problem with it. I don’t feel comfortable with it.”The policy was one of three adopted at the Oct. 6 meeting.Consent agendaWarrenton aldermen will now be allowed to approve or deny routine matters with a single vote after deciding to add a consent agenda to each meeting.The agenda items will consist of operational, financial, legal and administrative matters that are noncontroversial and won’t require any discussion.Consent agenda items will be listed in detail on the meeting agenda. A board member can remove an item from the consent agenda if they feel it requires discussion.“This allows meeting time for more substantial issues,” Thorn said.The policy was approved by a 5-1 vote, with Auch casting the lone dissenting vote. He was concerned he may not think of a question while reviewing the premeeting board but may do so at the time of the meeting.Examples of items that could be placed under the consent agenda include approval of minutes, department reports, new hires, the awarding of bids when the low bidder is recommended and the project is within budget, approval of budgeted projects, and liquor license renewals.Some of the items not suitable for the consent agenda include approval of the annual budget or amendments, committee appointments and unbudgeted items or projects.Meeting proceduresAldermen also will not be required to explain the reason for their vote after action has been taken on an agenda item, according to a third policy related to meeting procedures.At times in the past, board members were asked if they wanted to comment if they opposed the majority of aldermen on a vote.Thorn noted aldermen can still comment if they choose to do so.The new policy also establishes guidelines on when the public can offer comments and feedback during a meeting.The public will be allowed to address a specific agenda time when that topic is discussed rather than only be allowed to talk during the public comment portion near the start of the meeting. A five-minute limit for each individual will be applied, according to the policy.The presiding officer, normally the mayor, can limit discussions when appropriate and stop public comments during an agenda item should they become redundant.The policy was needed, officials said, to ensure the consistent application of procedures during meetings. It was approved by a 6-0 vote.Warrenton