HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 22-8052 - Ratifying the Findings Pursuant to AB 361 and Re-Authorizing Use Of Remote Teleconferencing For an Additional 30 Daysn.4-1161 Itit Il XW
WHEREAS, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code section 54950 et seq.) generally
requires local agencies meeting via teleconference, including through other virtual or electronit
means, to, among other things, provide public access at each location in which members of the
legislative body are teleconferencing; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature recently enacted Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361), which amended
Government Code section 54953 to allow local agencies to meet fully virtually, without fully
adhering to the rules otherwise applicable to teleconferencing, during a proclaimed state of
emergency if state or local officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social
distancing or if meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of
attendees; •
WHEREAS, the Governor issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency on March
2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pursuant to section 8625 of the California Emergency
Services Act, and this proclaimed state of emergency currently remains in effect; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020, pursuant to Downey Municipal Code section 2434, the
City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services for the City of Downey, proclaimed
the existence of a Local Emergency due to the spread of COVID-19, which the Downey City
Council -• at its regular meeting on March 24, 2020, and this proclaimed state • emergency
currently remains in effect; •
WHEREAS, since November 2021, Los Angeles County, California is an area of high
transmission rate • COVID-19, and was experiencing a surge in infection rates • the
highly transmissible Omicron Variant, as identified by the Los Angeles County Department of
Public Health and the Center for Disease Control; and
WHEREAS, while Omicron cases and hospitalizations are on the decline, the County
Public Health Department advises the public that the risk of infection remains and recommends
the use of protective measures such as masks, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings
• reduce infections rates in the County; and
TIAEREAS, as a result, the current state of the emergency continues to impact the ability
of the public to safely meet in person; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Downey has reconsidered the circumstances
• the state • • and
WHEREAS, state or local officials continue to recommend measures to promote social
distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron Variant; and
WHEREAS, the Omicron Variant infection rate in Los Angeles County is on the decline
but the risk of infection and hospitalizations remain such that meeting in person would present
imminent risks to the health and safety of attendees; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Downey desires to hold virtual or hybrid
meetings pursuant to AB 361 and Government Code section 54953(e) implementing AB 361's
requirements for providing virtual and remote public participation in the meetings.
PAGE 2
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES HEREBY
'ZIESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
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SECTION 2. The City Council and all other legislative bodies of the City of Downey
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conduct hybrid meetings in accordance with Government Code section 54953(e) and without
compliance with section 54953(b)(3) based upon the findings and determinations hereby made
by the City Council. Public participation in meetings shall be remote and virtual in compliance with
AB 361.
SECTION 3. This Resolution is in effect for 30 days from the effective date of this
Ikesolution, unless further extended by the City Council.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8 to day of February, 2022.
2BLA CHECO. Mayor
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to wit:
AYES:
Council Members,
Frometa, Trujillo, Ashton, Mayor Pacheco
NOES:
Council Member:
None.
ABSENT:
Council Members"
Alvarez
ABSTAIN:
Council Member:
None.
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City Clerk