Title
Adopt City Council Resolution Making the Legally Required Findings to Authorize the Conduct of Remote "Telephonic" Meetings During the State of Emergency
Summary
On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency. That declaration is still in effect. Since March 12, 2020, Executive Orders from the Governor have relaxed various Brown Act meeting requirements to allow remote meetings and to temporarily suspend the Brown Act provisions requiring the physical presence of members at the public meeting. The most recent extension of that authorization will expire at the end of September 2021.
Starting October 1, and running through the end of 2023, to participate in remote meetings, public agencies must comply with the requirements of new subsection (e) of Government Code section 54953. Adoption of this resolution will allow the City Council and the four standing subcommittees (Finance and Administration, Community Development, Public Works and Facilities, and Public Safety) to continue to meet remotely via video conference. After the adoption of this initial resolution and its findings, the Council will need to make the same determination every 30 days. The City Attorney's office recommends that the simplest course of action is for the Council to approve a consent calendar item at each subsequent meeting to make the legally required finding described in subsection (e)(3) to thereby allow the legislative body to continue to meet remotely until no longer required.