CC SR 20210921 E - AB 361 Support Letter
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 09/21/2021
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter supporting AB
361 (Rivas).
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter supporting AB 361, which would allow cities to
continue to utilize teleconferencing for public meetings during declared states of
emergency.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: McKenzie Bright, Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Draft letter in support of AB 361 (page A -1)
B. Text of AB 361 (as enrolled to the Governor September 10, 2021)
C. May 18, 2021 staff report and letter in support of AB 339
BACKGROUND:
Since Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-25-20 on March 12, 2020, the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes has been conducting virtual or hybrid virtual/in-person meetings in
accordance with Health Officer Orders. Members of the public have been allowed to
provide live comments to the City Council via Zoom teleconferencing or call -in
information, in addition to limited in-person options as Health Orders have allowed.
Assembly Bill No. 361, authored by Assemblymember Robert Rivas of Salinas and
passed by the Legislature on September 10, 2021, would allow cities to continue to utilize
teleconferencing during declared states of emergency.
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On May 18, 2021, the City Council supported a similar bill, Assembly Bill No. 339 (Lee),
because it allowed cities to continue to utilize teleconferencing during any open and public
meeting (see Attachment C). AB 339 was passed by the Legislature on September 9,
2021, and as of the writing of this report, awaits the Governor’s signature or veto.
Utilizing teleconferencing services increases transparency and accessibility for open and
public meetings, and the ability to continue to utilize teleconferencing options is beneficial
to the community.
AB 361 will allow cities to continue to provide essential services while prioritizing the
health and safety of their residents and ensuring government transparency, access, and
public engagement. Furthermore, due to the increased spread of COVID-19 and the
uncertainty that COVID-19 variants present, cities must retain the ability and flexibility to
continue to conduct meetings in the safest manner that they are able to under the
Executive Order.
This bill would provide local agencies with the flexibility to meet and act efficiently and
effectively during emergency situations.
For these reasons and given the City Council’s support of a similar bill, Staff recommends
the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to Governor Newsom, encouraging
him to sign AB 361 into law.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Identify revised language to add to the letter.
2. Do not authorize the Mayor to sign the letter.
3. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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September 21, 2021 Via Email
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
1303 10th Street, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
SUBJECT: Signature Request for AB 361
Dear Governor Newsom,
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes writes to express our support of AB 361, which would allow
cities to continue to utilize teleconferencing during declared states of emergency.
Since your Executive Order N-25-20 on March 12, 2020, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has
been conducting virtual or hybrid virtual/in-person meetings, in accordance with Health Officer
Orders. Members of the public have been allowed to provide live comments to the City Council
via Zoom teleconferencing or call-in information, in addition to limited in-person options.
Utilizing teleconferencing services increases transparency and accessibility for open and public
meetings, and the ability to continue to utilize teleconferencing options is beneficial to democracy.
AB 361 will allow cities to continue to provide essential services while prioritizing health and safety
of their residents and ensuring government transparency, access, and public engagement.
Furthermore, due to the increased spread of COVID-19 and the uncertainty that COVID-19
variants present, cities must be able to retain the ability and flexibility to continue to conduct
meetings in the safest manner that they are able to under the Executive Order.
This bill would provide local agencies with the flexibility to meet and act efficiently and effectively
during emergency situations. For these reasons, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes respectfully
requests your signature on AB 361.
Sincerely,
Eric Alegria
Mayor, City of Rancho Palos Verdes
cc. Ben Allen, Senator, 26th State Senate District
Al Muratsuchi, Assembly Member, 66th Assembly District
Jeff Kiernan, League of California Cities
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and City Manager
A-1