Item 37 - Consider Amending City Council Meetings Rules and Procedures

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period or the opportunity to register, until the timed general public comment period has elapsed. ix. If a state of emergency remains active, or state or local officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, in order to continue to teleconference without compliance with paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), Council shall, not later than 30 days after teleconferencing for the first time of the Proclaimed State Of Emergency Circumstances, and every 30 days thereafter, make the following findings by majority vote: The legislative body has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency and any of the following circumstances exist: (i) The state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person; or (ii) State or local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing. c. Councilmember Participation Using Teleconferencing During Just Cause and Emergency Circumstances. Members of Council may participate in a meeting remotely if one of the following circumstances applies: i. Just Cause. Members of Council may participate in a meeting remotely if the member notifies the legislative body at the earliest opportunity possible, including at the start of a regular meeting, of their need to participate remotely for just cause. "Just cause" means any of the following: (A) a childcare or caregiving need of a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner that requires them to participate remotely;' (B) a contagious illness that prevents a member from attending in person; (C) a need related to a physical or mental disability as defined in Sections 12926 and 12926.1 not otherwise accommodated by subdivision (g); or (D) travel while on official business of the legislative body or another state or local agency. 1. The notice provided shall include a general description of the circumstances relating to their need to appear remotely at the given meeting. 2. A member may not use just cause for more than two meetings per calendar year. ii. Emergency Circumstances. Upon written request, members of Council may participate in a meeting remotely due to emergency circumstances if the legislative body approves the request. "Emergency circumstances" means a physical or family medical emergency that prevents a member from attending in person. "Child," "parent," "grandparent," "grandchild," and "sibling" have the same meaning as those terms do in Section 12945.2. 5