Reso. No.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE HOUSING
AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, MAKING FINDINGS
REQUIRING THE CONTINUED USE OF TELECONFERENCING FOR MEETINGS
OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE RICHMOND HOUSING
AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF AB 361
WHEREAS in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor adopted a series of Executive Orders allowing the legislative bodies of local governments to meet remotely via teleconference through September 30, 2021, so long as other provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act (“Brown Act”) were followed; and
WHEREAS, on September 16, 2021, the Governor signed into law as an urgency measure, Assembly Bill (AB) 361 a bill that amends the Brown Act to allow local policy bodies to continue to meet by teleconferencing during a state of emergency without complying with restrictions in state law that would otherwise apply, provided that the policy bodies make certain findings at least once every 30 days; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Housing Authority has considered the current state of health guidance related to public meetings in Contra Costa County and finds it necessary to continue with remote meetings for the next 30 days to promote public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, the entire State of California remains under a proclaimed state of emergency as declared by the Governor of the state of California related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Public Health continues to require the use of face coverings in indoor settings in order to help stop the spread of the virus.
WHEREAS, the Health Officer for Contra Costa County published “Recommendations for Safely Holding Public Meetings” on September 20, 2021, that “strongly recommend” online meetings, and that local agencies should provide options for the public to participate without having to attend meetings in person, and that social distancing should be used for any in-person meetings, including six feet of spacing between all in attendance; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Housing Authority has met remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and can continue to do so in a manner that allows public participation and transparency while minimizing health risks to members, staff, and the public who would be present with in-person meetings while this emergency continues.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Housing Authority finds as follows:
1. As described above, the State of California, the County of Contra Costa and the City of Richmond remain in a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this meeting the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Housing Authority has considered the circumstances of the state of emergency; and
2. As described above State and County officials continue to recommend measures to promote physical distancing and other social distancing measures, in some settings; and
3. As described above meetings of this body in person would present imminent risks to the safety of attendees, and the state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of members to meet safely in public; and:
Reso. No.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT That, based on the findings required by Government Code section 549539(e), as amended by AB 361, the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Housing Authority requires the continued use of teleconferencing for the next 30 days for all public meetings of the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Housing Authority; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all public meetings of the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Housing Authority conducted by teleconferencing technology shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the body and otherwise occur in a manner that protects all statutory and constitutional rights of the public attending the meeting via teleconferencing, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Housing Authority is directed to place a resolution substantially similar to this resolution on the agenda of a future meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Housing Authority within the next 30 days.
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The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Richmond at a special meeting thereof held on August 19, 2022, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Chairperson
[SEAL]
Attest:
Secretary
Approved as to form:
Interim City Attorney