OWOSSO â The city of Owosso continues to be in a formally declared state of emergency, primarily in order to maintain virtual city board meetings under the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
On Monday, Owosso City Council members unanimously approved extending the state of emergency declared by Mayor Chris Eveleth in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic and state executive orders restricting in-person gatherings.
The Open Meetings Act allows meetings to be held remotely in the event of a local state of emergency. Eveleth said he was requesting the extension in order to protect the health of vulnerable citizens during the pandemic. He said resident participation in board meetings has increased since they went virtual.