Pierce County Council Returns To In-Person Sessions

TACOMA, WA — The public is invited to join Pierce County Council as they resume in-person meetings after a year of remote work.

The council held their first in-person session last Tuesday, with what the council called a "soft" opening — testing the water for more in-person services.

Following that meeting's success, the council has announced it will continue to hold session in-person going forward. While the public has been invited to return to the Council Chambers at the County-City Building if they would like to attend a meeting in the flesh, the council says they will continue to allow the public to attend and comment remotely as well.

“One thing we learned during the pandemic while forced to meet virtually was the value of offering remote attendance for the public,” said Council Chair Derek Young in a written statement. “We are committed to keeping this option and hope it results in increased public engagement in Council meetings going forward.”

The Pierce County Council Chambers have been slightly modified to accommodate for pandemic safety measures. Bench seating has been replaced with individual chairs, and visitors will be seated depending on their vaccination status in either a vaccinated or non-vaccinated seating section. Unvaccinated visitors will also be asked to wear a mask and practice safe social distancing.