TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution making findings pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(3) to authorize City legislative bodies to follow the teleconference meeting provisions of Government Code Section 54953(e)(1)-(2). (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On September 30, 2021, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act) “waivers” for
teleconference meetings of legislative bodies contained within the Governor of
California’s Executive Order N-08-21 expired. On September 16, 2021, the Governor
signed into law Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361), which allows for similar practices during
declared states of emergency where certain requirements are met and which took
effect on October 1, 2021, pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-15-21.
On September 30, 2021, the Long Beach Health Officer recommended
teleconference meetings, to the extent possible, of the City’s legislative bodies, to
promote social distancing measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 for the
protection of the community, staff, presenters, and legislative body members. On
March 10, 2022, the Health Officer issued a revised recommendation continuing to
promote social distancing measures via teleconference and/or hybrid meetings, to
the extent possible. This recommendation currently remains in place.
In order to allow teleconference meetings with “waivers” to continue under AB
361, the City Council must make monthly findings reconsidering the circumstances
of the state of emergency, and find that state or local officials continue to impose or
recommend measures to promote social distancing. If adopted, the attached
Resolution would make such findings pursuant to Government Code Section
54953(e)(3) to authorize City legislative bodies to follow the teleconference meeting
provisions of Government Code Section 54953(e)(1)-(2).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CHARLES PARKIN
CITY ATTORNEY