City Council Renews Resolution Allowing Remote Meetings for Next 30 Days

The City Council passed a resolution allowing its subcommittees and city commissions to continue to meet virtually for at least 30 days.

Although several councilmembers attend the council meeting in person, the meetings have been held virtually since the pandemic began.

The council must pass a resolution every 30 days to continue meeting online under the terms of Assembly Bill 361.

The City Council does not meet on the exact 30th day following expiration of the prior resolution so the elected officials are sometimes forced to vote on the resolution before the 30-day period.

Under state law, real-time public comments must be allowed by phone or the internet. If the system fails allowing for public comment the meeting must be ended, according to the law.

The city is already adhering to those conditions.

Beyond that initial 30-day period, it must confirm the circumstances of the state of emergency and make required findings at least 30 days after adoption of the resolution and every 30 days thereafter.

An executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom allowing virtual meetings and suspending parts of the Brown Act, which governs open meetings of legislative bodies, ended on Sept. 30.