Administrative
Report
P.1., File # 22-3560 Meeting Date: 1/11/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MIKE WITZANSKY, CITY MANAGER
ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING COUNCIL PARTICIPATION IN FUTURE
PUBLIC MEETINGS VIA TELECONFERENCE PURSUANT TO THE BROWN ACT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council discussed making permanent the ability to participate in future City Council meetings via teleconference (following conclusion of the COVID-19 Pandemic) on two occasions, July 20, 2021 and September 7, 2021. During the last discussion, the Council directed the City Clerk’s Office to prepare edits to the City’s Rules of Conduct for Council Meetings to officially allow for teleconference participation (see attached). The drafted teleconference rules address 1) user prioritization, 2) advanced notification responsibilities, 3) agenda posting requirements, 4) remote conference room scheduling and costs, and 5) City provision of laptops.
This item provides the City Council an opportunity to review the meeting rules changes drafted by the City Clerk and provide direction on any final edits. After compiling the edits, the Rules of Conduct for Council Meetings will be returned to the City Council for consideration of approval.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated by the Offices of the City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT
The technology for the videoconferencing capability in the City Council Chambers needed to facilitate remote participation in City Council meetings was installed as part of the recently completed City Council Chambers Improvements Project. Funding for the individual City laptops needed for periodic remote meeting use is available in the City’s Technology Equipment Replacement Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. City Clerk Drafted Edits to the City’s “Rules of Conduct for Council Meetings” Policy
2. September 7, 2021 City Clerk Admin Report on Meeting Participation Via Teleconference
3. July 20, 2021 City Council Meeting Materials for the Council Participation in Public Meetings Via Teleconference Discussion