Mayor to City Council: Get Ready For Meetings in Front of the Public Soon

The City Council once again passed a resolution that will allow the council and its subcommittees and commissions to continue to meet virtually for at least 30 days.
But Mayor Victor Gordo told councilmembers to get ready to attend meetings before the public soon.

“All members of the City Council should begin contemplating returning to the Council chambers,” Gordo said. “I think there is a lot lost when we don’t have members of the public in the council chamber.”

Gordo said he thought the council could meet in June or July.

Several local residents called on the council to open its doors to the public.

“I think it’s beyond past time for the council to start meeting in person,” said Michael Williams. “There has been an abuse of power since we have come online. Taking people’s time, cutting people, taking people’s words and saying things after people have commented.”

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

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.
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.