RESOLUTION NO. 2021-36
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON
AUTHORIZING CONTINUED CONDUCT OF CITY COUNCIL AND ALL
OTHER CITY LEGISLATIVE BODY MEETINGS VIA TELECONFERENCE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 361 ( AB 361), DUE TO
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS CAUSED BY
COVID-19
SECTION 1. Recitals.
A. On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the State prepare for a broader spread of COVID-19.
B. On March 17, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-06 ratifying Emergency Proclamation 2020-01, a proclamation of local emergency due to the serious and imminent threat of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
C. Also, on March 17, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20, which suspended certain provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act to allow local legislative bodies to conduct meetings telephonically or by other means. Additionally, the State implemented a shelter-in-place order, requiring all non-essential personnel to work from home.
D. The City Council, Commissions and Committees have utilized remote and hybrid meetings during the state of emergency, ensuring the member's and public's continued access to meetings while ensuring public safety.
E. On June 11, 2021, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-08-21, which extended the ability of agencies to hold remote meetings through September 30, 2021, after which agencies anticipated transitioning back to public meetings held in full compliance with the Brown Act.
F. Since issuing Executive Order N-08-21, the Delta variant emerged, causing a spike in COVID-19 cases throughout the state.
G. It is difficult to maintain social distancing requirements for the public, staff, Council Members, Committee Members and Commissioners in their respective meeting locations, therefore, the City of Vernon legislative bodies have utilized a hybrid model of meetings, with some members and the public participating remotely.
H. The Proclamation of a State of Emergency issued by Governor Newsom on March 4, 2020 continues to be in effect.
Resolution No. 2021-36
I. On September 16, 2021, Governor Newson signed AB 361, allowing local legislative bodies to continue to meet remotely after the September 30, 2021 expiration of the Governor’s executive orders.
J. Pursuant to AB 361, it is necessary for the City Council to declare every 30 days that the City’s legislative bodies must continue to meet remotely to ensure the health and safety of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby finds and determines that the above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 3. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby approves the continuation of conducting the City Council and all other City Legislative Body meetings remotely due to continued public health and safety concerns caused by COVID-19.
SECTION 4. In compliance with AB 361, and to continue to teleconference without the usual teleconference requirements of the Brown Act, the City Council makes the following findings:
a. The City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency; and
b. The state of local emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the City Council and all other City Legislative Body meetings, as well as staff and members of the public, from meeting safely in person; and c. Health orders require all individuals in public spaces to maintain social distancing and to wear masks when inside public spaces; however, the City cannot maintain social distancing requirements for the Council Members, Commissioners, Committee Members, staff and public in meeting spaces.
SECTION 5. City Council and all other City Legislative Body meetings will continue to be conducted in a hybrid manner including remote and in person participation for the next 30 days in compliance with AB 361, to better ensure the health and safety of the public.
SECTION 6. The City Council will reconsider the above findings and the need to conduct meetings remotely within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution.
SECTION 7. If the City Council determines the need to conduct meetings remotely still exists at each 30-day interval, the City Council will make such findings by minute order.
Resolution No. 2021-36
SECTION 8. The City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of October, 2021.
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
LISA POPE, City Clerk
seal)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ZAYNAH N. MOUSSA, Interim City Attorney
I CERTIFY THAT THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION NO. 2021-36 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Vernon at the Regular meeting on October 21, 2021 by the following vote:
AYES: 4 Council Members: Lopez, Merlo, Davis, Ybarra
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Larios
ABSTAIN: 0
LISA POPE, City Clerk
seal)