DATE: March 1, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Linda Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk
SUBJECT: FIND THAT, DUE TO THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY, STATE
AND LOCAL OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND MEASURES TO
PROMOTE SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND THEREFORE THE CITY
COUNCIL AND ALL OTHER CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MAY
MEET VIRTUALLY
Recommendation: Make Findings
SUMMARY
The Legislature recently adopted AB 361 to amend the Brown Act in order to allow public boards to meet virtually during or following a state of emergency. To continue hosting virtual meetings, the City Council must reconsider the circumstances surrounding the emergency every 30 days and make findings that state and local officials continue to recommend measures to promote social distancing. The City Council’s adoption of findings will enable, but not require, the City Council and all other City Boards and Commissions to continue meeting virtually.
The City Council does not have to find that social distancing orders are in place; instead it simply has to find that state or local officials recommend measures to promote social distancing. Given that there is still concern of community spread, especially for vulnerable populations, the City Council may make the necessary findings.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project and is therefore, exempt under, the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and find that, due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, state and local officials continue to recommend measures to promote social distancing, and therefore the City Council and all other City Boards and Commissions may meet virtually.