Title
a. Receive a report regarding AB 2449 and the future of teleconferencing and remote meetings; and
b. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Planning Commission:
a) Receive a report regarding AB 2449 and the future of teleconferencing and remote meetings; and
b) Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
As the Planning Commission knows, during the COVID emergency legislative bodies have the ability to meet remotely, first pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order, and subsequently pursuant to AB 361. The Governor has indicated he intends to terminate his proclamation of emergency for the pandemic at the end of February, unless conditions require otherwise. While AB 361 will remain effective until the end of 2023, meeting remotely pursuant to it requires a continued proclamation of emergency by the Governor.
Recently, the legislature adopted, and the Governor signed into law, AB 2449, effective January 1, 2023. That legislation incorporates the provisions of AB 361 but also incorporates the old Brown Act provisions for teleconferencing by legislative body members, and adds new provisions that allow limited remote participation.
County Counsel’s Office will make a presentation discussing the provisions of AB 2449 and the ability to have remote meetings beginning when or if the Governor terminates his proclamation of emergency. Direction may be given as appropriate to staff to continue remote participation by the public or staff.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
FINANCING:
There is no fiscal impact with receipt of the presentation; however, there may be fiscal impacts with a return to in-person meetings or continuance of remote meetings as allowed.
Prepared and approved by: Kelly Donlon, Assistant County Counsel