After two postponements, the El Dorado City Council is scheduled to convene for its first regular meeting of the new year at 5 p.m. today in the Council Chamber of City Hall.
The monthly meeting was initially set for Jan. 13 but it was canceled due to coronavirus (COVID) exposure, including a positive test for a council member.
The meeting was rescheduled for Jan. 20 but it was again postponed because of ongoing COVID concerns and scheduling conflicts with some city council members.
Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer said there would have been a lack of a quorum for the Jan. 20 meeting, with some council members and City Attorney Henry Kinslow requesting to participate by phone.
It was uncertain how many city officials would have been able to attend in person.
After days of hashing out the matter, during which several suggestions -- including an abbreviated agenda and a specially-called meeting -- were volleyed about, city officials settled on meeting today and handling the full agenda, at the mayor's behest.
Smith-Creer said COVID safety measures will be reconstituted for the today's meeting, explaining that temperature screenings will be conducted at the entrance of City Hall and social distancing will be in effect -- a practice that will allow for approximately 25 people, including city officials and department heads, in the Council Chamber.
Additionally, those who plan to attend the meeting are encouraged to wear face masks.
The council meeting will air live on local radio stations 94.3 FM and 1400 AM, and Smith-Creer said the meeting may also be live-streamed.