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Motion to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter urging State Legislators to amend the Brown Act to provide increased local control over options for teleconference meetings. (Sharon Ranals, Interim City Manager, and Sky Woodruff, City Attorney)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council by motion authorize the Mayor to sign a letter urging State Legislators to amend the Brown Act to provide increased local control over options for teleconference meetings.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Ralph M. Brown Act ("Brown Act") is a California law that guarantees the public's right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies. Located at California Government Code 54950 et seq., it is an act of the California State Legislature, authored by Assemblymember Ralph M. Brown and passed in 1953.
The Brown Act allows a city council to use any type of teleconferencing in connection with any meeting. "Teleconference" is defined as "a meeting of individuals in different locations, connected by electronic means, through either audio or video, or both." While it allows for teleconferencing, the Brown Act imposes certain restrictions and requirements around what constitutes a quorum, posting agendas, noticing of teleconference locations, and public access.
In March 2020, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and issued Executive Order N-29-20 easing certain Brown Act restrictions. In September 2021, Governor Newsom approved AB 361 to "improve and enhance public access to local agency meetings during the COVID19 pandemic and future applicable emergencies, by allowing broader access through teleconferencing options."
On October 17, 2022, Governor Newsom announced that the COVID-19 State of Emergency will end on February 28, 2023, effectively ending AB 361 's term. However, AB 2449 that was signed into law on September 13, 2022, took effect on Janua...
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