BELLE GLADE — The Belle Glade City Commission finally is transitioning to a livestream presentation of all future meetings, beginning with the commissioners’ regular meeting set for Monday evening, Sept. 21.

Following many months of conducting their regular meetings that could be followed by dial-in attendance only — because of very limited seating capacity in the commission chambers for in-person listeners or participants, and with recordings available upon request after a few days’ time from the city clerk’s office — Monday will be the final time people will have to dial in to listen.

The meeting may be accessed by calling 888-947-9020 and using Conference ID 46549. Those listening in are asked to keep their phone on mute.

In addition, however, Monday’s and all future meetings “can now be viewed live from our website at bellegladegov.com,” says a note at the top of the Sept. 21 agenda, and the dialing-in is discontinued thereafter.

But, “Due to social distancing requirements responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be limited seating for in-person attendance.” That’s been the case since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March.

Robert C. Mitchell, an unsuccessful candidate who lost by 21 votes in the June 2020 election against Commissioner Michael C. Martin, has been pressing the commission since before the spring campaign for better public access to city government information on social media and elsewhere, including a webcast in any form of their regular meetings so Belle Glade residents can stay on top of what their commissioners are doing.

On the commission’s agenda
On Monday’s schedule are: the commission’s second public hearing on the fiscal 2021 budget and tax levies, which starts at 5:30 p.m.; a workshop at 6 p.m.; and the regular meeting starting at 6:30.

Citizens are advised: “If you wish to submit a question, please do so by emailing dbuff@belleglade-fl.com before 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Please include in your email the following: date and time of meeting; question; and how you would like an answer — two options, live at meeting or an email response after the meeting. If you have any questions, please contact our office at dbuff@belleglade-fl.com.”

There are over 30 items on the commission’s agenda for Sept. 21, aside from commissioners’ and city officials’ reports, including the budget, which calls for a 2.5% raise for city employees.