DATE: January 24, 2023
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Clerk
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Allowing the City Council and Appointed Commissions/Task Forces and Council Committees to Hold Continued Teleconferenced Public Meetings Pursuant to AB 361
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) pursuant to AB 361 making specific findings to allow the Council and appointed commissions/task forces and Council committees (Exhibit A to Attachment II) to continue holding teleconferenced public meetings during the COVID 19 state of emergency.
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SUMMARY
On September 16, 2021, the Governor signed AB 361 that amended provisions of the Brown Act to allow local governments to conduct virtual meetings during a state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, subject to complying with specific requirements, including providing public access and participation via call-in or internet-based platforms. While AB 361 does not require legislative bodies to take any specific actions to hold an initial teleconferenced meeting during a state of emergency, a legislative body must act in order to continue holding subsequent teleconferenced meetings while the state of emergency remains in effect. Specifically, no later than 30 days after the initial AB 361 teleconferenced meeting, and every 30 days thereafter, a legislative body must make findings that the body has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency and that either of the following conditions exist: the state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person; or, state or local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing. Governor Newsom has announced that he will end the COVID state of emergency on February 28, 2023. Consequently, this is anticipated to be the final 30-day resolution to allow teleconferenced meetings pursuant to AB ...
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