Title
Approve 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. A vote to approve the legally required findings will allow the Visit Fort Bragg Committee (VFB) to continue to meet remotely via video conference. After the Committee approves these findings, it will need to make the same determination every 30 days. The City Attorney's office recommends that the simplest course of action is for VFB to approve a similar motion 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.