HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 AB361 - Governor-Declared State of Emergency to Combat Covid EpidemicSTAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
MEETING DATE: October 14, 2021
PREPARED BY: Robert Hargreaves, City Attorney
REQUEST: By minute motion, make findings that the State of California
continues in a Governor-declared state of emergency to combat
the COVID epidemic, that state and local health officials are
recommending social distancing, and that the City may continue to
employ remote teleconferencing.
_____________________________________________________________________
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, the City Council hereby finds the State of California continues in a
Governor-declared state of emergency to combat the COVID epidemic, that state and
local health officials are recommending social distancing, and consequently that the City
Council and its other Brown-Act bodies may continue to employ remote teleconferencing
under Government Code Section 54953(e).
Strategic Plan
The proposed action has no impact on the Strategic Plan.
Background Analysis
AB 361 (Government Code Section 54953(e)) provides that a local agency may employ
remote teleconferencing upon a finding by the governing board that certain circumstances
exist, among those that there is an Governor-declared emergency and state or local
officials are recommending social distancing. The City Council will need to make those
findings each month in which it continues to implement remote teleconferencing.
The alternative is to revert to the preexisting Brown Act standards for teleconferencing
which require that: (1) all teleconferencing locations be identified on the agenda; (2)
agendas be posted at all teleconferencing locations; (3) all teleconferencing locations be
open to the public; and (4) a majority of the council participate from locations within the
City.
October 14 , 2021 -Staff Report
AB361
Page 2 of 2
Fiscal Analysis
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this item .
LEGAL REVIEW DEPT. REVIEW FINANCIAL ASSISTANT
REVIEW CITY MANAGER
RWH N/A N/A ..'A.nay _J'ires tine
Robert W . Hargreaves Janet M. Moore Andy Firestine
City Attorney Director of Finance Assistant City ManaQer
City Manager L. Todd Hileman : L. Toctct HHew..lH1\,
ATTACHMENTS : None
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
APPROVED __ v ____ DENTED _____ _
RECEIVED ______ QTHER _____ _
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ABSENT: __ N_Q1_1 .... e __________ _
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VERIFIED BY: Nl r-t I S rs
Original on File with City Clerk's Office