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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3.1 Staff ReportItem 3.1 Staff Report TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS January 27, 2023 Staff Report to the Planning Commission SUBJECT: MOTION TO RE-AUTHORIZE REMOTE TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS, INCLUDING ALL ASSOCIATED COMMITTEES, DUE TO THE IMMINENT RISKS TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ATTENDEES AND MAKING RELATED FINDINGS PURSUANT TO AB 361 FROM Steve Mattas, City Attorney RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills (“Council”), on behalf of itself and Town Committees make a motion, pursuant to the authority set forth in AB 361 (Government Code Section 54953[e][1]), to re-authorize remote teleconference meetings of all legislative bodies of the Council, including all associated agencies, authorities, and committees, and make related findings pursuant to AB 361. BACKGROUND: On September 16, 2021, the Council approved a motion to continue conducting all legislative body meetings through teleconference and made required findings pursuant to AB 361 [Government Code Section 54953(e)(1)]. On October 21, 2021, the Council approved a resolution to continue conducting Council meetings, and all associated committee meetings, remotely due to an ongoing state of emergency and imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees if the meetings are held in person. The Council made findings that the requisite conditions exist for the legislative bodies of the Commission to conduct remote teleconference meetings without compliance with paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 54953. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(3), in order for all legislative bodies to continue m eeting remotely, the Board must declare every 30 days that: 1. The legislative body has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency; and 2. Either the state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person, or State or local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing. The Governor’s State of Emergency, declared on March 4, 2020, is ongoing. On March 19, 2020, the Council proclaimed a local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to confirm the existence of a local emergency. Due to the continued threat of COVID-19, the Council continues to implement multiple layers of protection against COVID-19, including physical distancing, for the safety of employees and members of the public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) continues to recommend physical distancing of at least six (6) feet from others outside of the household. Because of the rise in cases due to the Delta variant of COVID-19, the Council is concerned about the health and safety of all individuals who intend to attend meetings of the Town’s legislative bodies, including City Council and advisory body and committee meetings. The ongoing state of emergency related to COVID-19, as declared by the Governor and the City Council, continues to directly impact the ability of members of the legislative bodies of the Council to meet safely in person, due to imminent risks to the health and safety of attendees if the meetings are held in person. DISCUSSION: It is recommended that the Council, on behalf of itself and its committees, make a motion, pursuant to the authority set forth in AB 361 (Government Code Section 54953[e][1]), to re-authorize remote teleconference meetings of all legislative bodies of the Council, including all associated advisory bodies, agencies, authorities, and committees, due to the ongoing state of emergency and imminent risks to the health and safety of attendees if the meetings are held in person. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no additional fiscal impact to continue remote teleconference meetings.