HAYWARD CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 22-____
Introduced by Council Member __________
RESOLUTION MAKING THE REQUIRED FINDINGS PURSUANT TO AB 361 TO CONTINUE TO HOLD TELECONFERENCED PUBLIC MEETINGS DURING THE COVID 19 STATE OF EMERGENCY WHEREAS, the Brown Act (Government Code section 54950 et seq. ) allows for public meetings of a legislative body to occur via teleconferencing subject to certain requirements, particularly that the legislative body notice each teleconference location of each member that will be participating in the public meeting, that each teleconference location be accessible to the public, that members of the public be allowed to address the legislative body at each teleconference location, that the legislative body post an agenda at each teleconference location, and that at least a quorum of the legislative body participate from locations within the boundaries of the local agency’s jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, in response to the COVID-19 state of emergency, the Governor temporarily suspended the rules described above when he issued Executive Order N-29-20 on March 17, 2020 and authorized local legislative bodies to hold virtual public meetings subject to specific public accessibility and noticing requirements; and WHEREAS, the Governor signed AB 361 prior to the expiration of Order N-29-20; and WHEREAS, AB 361 amends the Brown Act to the legislative body of a local agency to hold a teleconferenced meeting during a state of emergency without complying with the normal teleconferencing requirements described above if it meets requirements related to providing notice of the meeting, public access and participation via call-in or internet-based service options, real-time public comments, and conduct of the meeting in a manner that protects statutory and constitutional rights of any parties and the public appearing before the legislative body; and WHEREAS, AB 361 does not require legislative bodies to take any specific action prior to holding an initial teleconferenced meeting during a state of emergency, however, to hold a subsequent teleconferenced meeting a legislative body must act no later than 30 days after the initial teleconferenced meeting, and every 30 days thereafter, by making findings specified in the statute justifying the continued use of teleconferenced public meetings; and WHEREAS, it shall be the policy of the City that the appointed boards and commissions of the City will hold teleconferenced public meetings in compliance with the provisions of AB 361 during the COVID-19 state of emergency; and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 state of emergency declared by the Governor remains active; and WHEREAS, public meetings involve many people in shared indoors spaces for hours, when the number of people present does not always allow for a minimum six foot distance between persons, and close contacts raise the risk of the spread of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, the California Department of Public Health has mandated that everyone in California wear a mask in indoor public spaces and workplaces through February 15, 2022; and WHEREAS, the Alameda County Health Officer has issued Order No. 20-05g (originally issued April 3, 2020 and most recently amended on January 10, 2022) imposing a mandate that all individuals diagnosed or likely to have COVID-19 must isolate themselves and follow requirements further specified in the Order; and WHEREAS, the Alameda County Health Officer has issued Order No. 20-06o (originally issued April 3, 2020 and most recently amended on February 22, 2022) imposing a quarantine requirement on individuals who have had close contact to a person infected with COVID 19 unless specific criteria described in the order are met; and WHEREAS, the Alameda County Health Officer has issued Order No. 22-01 (effective on February 16, 2022), which rescinded Order No. 21-06 (effective on December 8, 2021) which mandated face coverings be worn in indoor public spaces; and WHEREAS, pursuant to a February 28, 2022 advisory from the California Department of Public Health, effective March 1, 2022 the requirement that unvaccinated individuals mask in indoor public settings will move to a strong recommendation that all persons, regardless of vaccination status, continue to mask while in indoor public settings and businesses; and WHEREAS, the Alameda County Public Health Department strongly recommends that everyone 2 years of age and older wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status, in indoor public settings and businesses, and advises that masks are required indoors at businesses, government offices, youth-serving facilities, and workplace settings that choose to require everyone to mask; and WHEREAS, workplaces must comply with Cal/OSHA safety standards; and WHEREAS, Alameda County Health Order No. 21- 04 (effective November 1, 2021), which allows a stable group of fully vaccinated individuals to remove masks in certain indoor situations, is not applicable to the City’s public meetings because they do not necessarily involve a stable group of vaccinated individuals.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hayward makes the following findings pursuant to AB 361 to continue holding teleconferenced public meetings during the COVID-19 state of emergency:
The City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency.
The COVID 19 state of emergency declared by the Governor remains active and continues to directly impact the ability of Councilmembers to meet safely in-person.
State and local officials continue to recommend or impose measures to promote social distancing.
The Alameda County Health Officer has issued orders imposing measures to promote social distancing via isolation and quarantine of individuals infected or likely infected with COVID-19 and individuals with close contact to persons infected with COVID-19.
The Alameda County Health Officer strongly recommends that everyone 2 years of age and older wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status, in indoor public settings and businesses, and advises that masks are required indoors at businesses, government offices, youth-serving facilities, and workplace settings that choose to require everyone to mask The California Department of Public Health strongly recommends that all persons, regardless of vaccination status, continue to mask while in indoor public settings and businesses.
Workplaces must comply with Cal/OSHA safety standards.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the interest of public health and safety, based on the findings contained herein, the City Council of the City of Hayward and the appointed boards and commissions identified in Exhibit A of this Resolution shall continue to hold teleconferenced public meetings pursuant to AB 361.
IN COUNCIL, HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA ___________________, 2022 ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
MAYOR:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ATTEST: _______________________________________
City Clerk of the City of Hayward
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________________
City Attorney of the City of Hayward
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