Michigan City RDA adopts electronic-participation policy after public comment on notice and state law

The Michigan City Redevelopment Authority voted July 30, 2025, to adopt a formal policy allowing members to participate in public meetings electronically.

The policy was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. During public comment, Dakota Uler of 718 On The Street, Michigan City, said the meeting agenda had been posted only upstairs and was not visible on the city website. Uler told the authority they should ensure effective public notice and cited a state statute as a constraint on electronic meetings.

"I do question the idea of having the electronic meetings and that it would be effectively communicated to the public that they have the opportunity to to hear the business that is represented on this authority," Uler said, adding that, in their reading of state law, at least one-third of members must be physically present for an electronic meeting.

A member of the authority said electronic participation could make it easier to secure a third member to meet any physical-presence requirement and could increase member participation. The authority approved the policy and opened the topic for general discussion before moving on to other items.

The authority's adopted policy and the public comment together raised two practical points for future meetings: how agendas will be posted to ensure public notice and how the authority will ensure any required physical quorum when some members attend remotely.