SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE CONTINUANCE OF TELECONFERENCED PUBLIC MEETINGS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On February 14, 2020, the San Diego County Public Health Officer issued a Declaration of Local Health Emergency, pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 101080. Additionally, on that day, pursuant to California Government Code 8630, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), serving as the County of San Diego (County) Director of Emergency Services and as the Coordinator of the Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization, issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency regarding COVID-19.
The County continues to make significant efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Today’s actions request the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) to adopt a resolution authorizing continuance of teleconferenced public meetings using simplified procedures. The Board will need to review and renew the findings at least every 30 days if it wishes to continue the authorization of teleconferenced public meetings using the simplified procedures. This action will also continue the County’s commitment to transparency, open government, and the removal of traditional barriers to access and participation in government affairs.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Adopt a resolution entitled RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTINUANCE OF TELECONFERENCED PUBLIC MEETINGS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
To continue the County’s commitment to transparency and open government and remove traditional barriers to access and participation in government affairs, today’s actions provide the mechanism to continue teleconferenced public meetings which will have a positive impact on the lives of Black, Indigenous, People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, youth, the LGBTQ community, and economically disadvantaged.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed action. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Since March 2020, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) and its associated commissions, governing bodies, and advisory boards have conducted meetings remotely (or have a mixed attendance of in-person and remote Board members) in accordance with previous Executive Orders issued by the Governor. Assembly Bill 361 became law on September 16, 2021 and allows local agencies subject to the Brown Act to continue remote attendance for meetings under simplified procedures, but only if either: a) there is still a “statewide” emergency, and State or local officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, or b) the Board finds that “meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees.” (Gov’t Code 54953 (e) (1), added by AB361). On September 23, 2021, the Public Health Officer issued a letter recommending the utilization of teleconferencing options for public meetings as an effective and recommended social distancing measure to facilitate participation in public affairs and encourage participants to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
Today’s action requests the Board, also sitting as the legislative body of the Housing Authority of the County of San Diego, County of San Diego In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority, San Diego County Fire Protection District, San Diego County Sanitation District, San Diego County Flood Control District, and the County of San Diego Successor Agency to the County of San Diego Redevelopment Agency, adopt a Resolution that will allow the Board to continue to utilize teleconferencing under simplified procedures. The Board of Supervisors took similar actions previously at its meetings on October 5, 2021 (10), November 2, 2021 (11), November 16, 2021 (11), December 14, 2021 (1), January 11, 2022 (14), February 8, 2022 (16), March 1, 2022 (14), March 15, 2022 (12), and April 5, 2022 (17). To continue to use the simplified teleconferencing procedures, the Board will need to act no less than every 30 days to reaffirm the authorization of teleconferenced public meetings.
The County also has many other boards, committees, and commissions subject to the Brown Act, and this Resolution is, to the extent legally possible, intended to make the required findings on their behalf. However, it is recommended that each of these legislative bodies subject to the Brown Act also make findings consistent with AB 361.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Equity initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan by focusing on policy, systems and environmental approaches that ensure equal opportunity for health and well-being through partnerships and innovation.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTINUANCE OF TELECONFERENCED PUBLIC MEETINGS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953