RESOLUTION NO. ____ _
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASADENA
AUTHORIZING REMOTE TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
ALL CITY SUBORDINATE BODIES, AND ALL CITY NON-PROFIT CORPORATION BOARDS AND THEIR SUBORDINATE BODIES, FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 21, 2022 THROUGH APRIL 20, 2022
WHEREAS, the City of Pasadena is committed to preserving and fostering public access and participation in meetings of the City Council, all City subordinate bodies, and all city non-profit corporation Boards and their subordinate bodies, as required by the Ralph M. Brown Act {Cal. Gov. Code§§ 54950 - 54963), so that any member of the public may attend and participate as the bodies conduct the public's business; and WHEREAS, the Brown Act makes special provisions for remote teleconferencing participation in meetings when the Governor has declared a state of emergency pursuant to Government Code section 8625, and either state or local officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, or an in-person meeting would present imminent risks to the health and safety of attendees; and WHEREAS, such conditions continue to exist in the City of Pasadena.
Specifically, on March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pasadena's Health Officer has issued numerous Health Orders regarding safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a June 14, 2021 Order To Comply With California Department Of Public Health Guidance For The Use Of Face Coverings And Select Sector Guidances And Public Health Protocols (which, among other orders, requires physical distancing of at least 6 feet) and a July 21, 2021 Order For Wearing Of Face Masks In Public Settings (requiring face masks be worn, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public settings). While on March 3, 2022, Pasadena's Health Officer updated local orders regarding the wearing of face coverings (changing from requiring masks indoors to 1 #R58M0XKEDDE51Hvl
strongly recommending masking), Pasadena's Health Officer continues to strongly recommend mask wearing and social distancing; and
WHEREAS, over the 2021 December holiday break and continuing into January, 2022, the highly contagious Omicron variant caused positive cases to skyrocket across the United States, the Los Angeles region, and in Pasadena. Hospitalization rates have also increased, though not to the extent of positive cases. While the daily positive case rate in Pasadena and Los Angeles County continue to decline at this time, there is still concern about the ease with which the Omicron variant spreads. As well now, an Omicron sub-variant (known as BA.2) that has been confirmed to be circulating in Los Angeles County as of late January, 2022, which may be even more contagious than any other variants. The BA.2 variant is being watched carefully as its rate of infections overseas is increasing dramatically, and its prevalence in the northeastern U.S. is also increasing dramatically. In addition, preliminary research indicates that some current antiviral treatments may not be as effective against this variant as others, and its rapid spread could significantly change options for treatment ; and WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 9868, on October 4, 2021, by Resolution No. 9871 on November 1, 2021, by Resolution No. 9878 on November 29, 2021, by Resolution No. 9884 on December 13, 2021 , by Resolution No. 9885 on January 10, 2022, by Resolution No. 9891 on February 7, 2022, and by Resolution No. 9894 on February 28, 2022, the City Council found that the then-existing situation with regard to COVID-19, was causing, and would continue to cause, risks to the safety of persons within the City and directed that the City Council, all City subordinate bodies, and all city non-profit corporation Boards and their subordinate bodies shall conduct their meetings with remote participation in the manner authorized by Government Code§ 54953(e), and such legislative bodies shall comply with the requirements to provide the public with access to the meetings as prescribed in Government Code§ 54953(e)(2); and 2 #RS8M0XKEODE51Hv1
WHEREAS, as required by Government Code§ 54953(e)(3), the City Council now finds that it has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency, the state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the City Council, all City subordinate bodies, and all city non-profit corporation Boards and their subordinate bodies to meet safely in person, and state and local orders regarding the promotion of social distancing and mask wearing remain in effect.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pasadena as follows:
Section 1. Recitals. The Recitals set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. Remote Teleconference Meetings. The City Council , all City subordinate bodies, and all city non-profit corporation Boards and their subordinate bodies shall continue to conduct their meetings with remote participation in the manner authorized by Government Code§ 54953(e), and such legislative bodies shall continue to comply with the requirements to provide the public with access to the meetings as prescribed in Government Code§ 54953(e)(2).
Section 3. Effective Date of Resolution. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption and shall be effective until the earlier of April 20, 2022, or such time as the City Council adopts a subsequent resolution in accordance with Government Code§ 54953(e)(3) to extend the time during which meetings may continue to be held remotely by teleconference in compliance with that section. 3 #R58M0XKEODE51Hvl
Adopted at the ____ meeting of the City Council on the ____ day of ___ , 2022 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Approved as to form:
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Theresa E. Fuentes
Assistant City Attorney
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MARK JOMSKY, CMG, City Clerk
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