Attachment 1
AB 2449 – Remote Participation Flow Chart
(Effective January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025)
STEP 1: Council member submits request for remote participation (to City Clerk).
When: ASAP (at earliest opportunity) up to start of a regular meeting What: Generally describe reason for request (not to exceed 20 words). Must be either:
Just Cause -
providing childcare or caregiving of immediate family,
contagious illness,
physical or mental disability,
official business travel for public agency, OR
Emergency Circumstances –
Physical or family medical emergency.
NOTE: Request does NOT need to disclose specific medical or personal information.
STEP 2: Is the request agendized?
If yes, then Council can consider at appropriate time on agenda. Go to Step 3 below.
If no, then Council must add urgency item to agenda as follows:
Describe that there is a request by a Council member to participate remotely.
Describe the reason for the request (Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances).
Explain that this item came up after the 72-hour agenda deadline.
Council takes action by: (a) finding the item is urgent and needs immediate action and was discovered after the agenda deadline, and (b) voting.
Must pass by 2/3 vote of Council if 4+ Council members are voting from 5-member Council.
Must pass unanimously if 3 Council members are voting from a 5-member Council.
STEP 3: Council acts on remote participation request.
Findings: Council must make the following four findings:
The remotely participating official must disclose whether anyone over 18 years old is present at the remote location.
At least 3 (a quorum) of the other Council members are present at one physical location in the Agency’s jurisdiction.
The remotely participating Council member has not exceeded the annual limit:
Cannot use for more than 3 consecutive months, or 20% of the regular meeting.
The Council is providing a 2-way audiovisual platform or 2-way telephone service + live webcasting so public can remotely hear and visually observe the meeting.
Vote: If these findings can be made, then the Council votes on whether the official may participate remotely.
A majority (or at least 3) affirmative votes are required to allow remote participation.
STEP 4: Resume the meeting as agendized with Council member(s) participating remotely.
All votes at a meeting with a remote Council member must be taken by roll call.
No action can be taken if the remote broadcast of the meeting is disrupted.
Special procedures are required to promptly resolve requests for disability accommodations.