HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 33 - Assembly Bill 361Clerk of the Council Office
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Item # 33
or City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
May 17, 2022
TOPIC: Assembly Bill 361
AGENDA TITLE:
Use of Teleconferencing for Meetings of City Council and All Boards, Committees, and
Commissions Pursuant to the Provisions of Assembly Bill 361
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a resolution to consider continuing the use of teleconferencing for City Council,
board, committee, and commission meetings pursuant to the provisions of Assembly Bill
361 for the next 30 days.
DISCUSSION
On March 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20
suspending certain provisions of the Brown Act in order to allow legislative bodies to
conduct their meetings completely telephonically or by other electronic means. City
Council meetings have been conducted by Zoom with councilmembers and staff all
joining from remote locations when necessary.
The suspension of certain provisions of the Brown Act was further extended by Governor
Newsom on June 11, 2021 by the issuance of Executive Order N-08-21, which continued
to allow completely virtual City Council (and other legislative body) meetings. This order
stayed in effect until September 30, 2021.
In response, AB 361 was signed into effect by Governor Newsom on September 16, 2021.
It amends the Brown Act to allow legislative bodies to meet virtually, provided there is a
state of emergency, and either (1) state or local officials have imposed or recommended
measures to promote social distancing, or (2) the legislative body determines by majority
vote that meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health and safety of
attendees.
The City of Santa Ana's current practices with respect to live public comment via Zoom
already satisfy all of the new requirements in AB 361. Additionally, the individual
legislative bodies can make their own findings for the AB 361 telecommuting resolution
Assembly Bill 361
May 17, 2022
Page 2
for future meetings. Determinations to continue to utilize remote meetings as allowed by
AB 361 must be re -visited by the legislative body every 30 days with the support of new
findings. Staff recommends this extension period to act as a helpful transitional stage for
boards, committees, and commissions who still currently meet virtually.
Most recently on May 3, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-033, making
the required findings under AB 361 to allow the City to continue to offer teleconference
accessibility for public meetings after September 30, 2021, to help mitigate the spread of
COVID-19. The attached resolution (Exhibit 1) declares additional findings to allow for the
continued use of teleconferencing for City Council, board, commission, and committee
meetings pursuant to AB 361.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Resolution
Submitted By: Daisy Gomez, Clerk of the Council
Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager