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 SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 THROUGH OCTOBER 12, 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 strongly recommending masking), Pasadena's Health Officer continues to strongly recommend mask wearing and social distancing; and
WHEREAS, despite continued drops in COVID-19 cases and hospital admission rates, the scientific community is pointing to emerging research that suggests the latest 1 #R58M0XKEODE51Hv1
Omicron variant gaining ground in the U.S., BA.4.6, which was responsible for around 8% of new infections in the United States last week, appears to be even better at evading the immune system than the currently dominant BA.5. Further, the dangers of further mutations and vaccine resistance remain. The Los Angeles Times reported that, in the most pessimistic scenario (a new variant and late boosters), experts projected 1.3 million hospitalizations and 181,000 deaths over about the next year, while in the most optimistic scenario (no new variant and early boosters), they projected a little more than half the number of hospitalizations and 111,000 deaths across the United States. Los Angeles County is about to receive the first Omicron specific vaccine, but Southern California still has the highest proportion of COVID cases among those hospitalized for any reason; 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, by Resolution No. 9894 on February 28, 2022, by Resolution No. 9902 on March 21, 2022, by Resolution No. 9905 on April 11, 2022, by Resolution No. 9911 on May 9, 2022, by Resolution No. 9914 on May 23, 2022, by Resolution No. 9926 on June 20, 2022, by Resolution No. 9936 on July 18, 2022, and by Resolution No. 9945 on August 15, 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
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 2 #RS8M0XKE0DE51Hv1
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 October 12, 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.
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:
/s/ Theresa Fuentes
Theresa E. Fuentes
Assistant City Attorney
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Mark Jomsky, City Clerk
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