HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 185-2021 (21-805)City of South San Francisco P.O. Box 711 (City Hall,
400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
City Council
Resolution: RES 185-2021
File Number: 21-805 Enactment Number: RES 185-2021
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO DECLARING THE
CONTINUING NEED FOR THE CITY COUNCIL AND
ADVISORY BODIES TO BE ABLE TO MEET
REMOTELY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE HEALTH
AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AND MAKING
RELATED FINDINGS.
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency to make
additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state
agencies and departments, and help the State prepare for a broader spread of COVID-19;
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 35-2020
declaring a local emergency due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 57-2020
amending and updating a local emergency due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Newsom
issued Executive Order N-29-20 suspending certain provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act in order to
allow local legislative bodies to conduct meetings telephonically or by other means; and
WHEREAS, as a result of Executive Order N-29-20, staff set up virtual meetings for all City
Council meetings; and
WHEREAS, on June 11, 2021, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-08-21, which
placed an end date of September 30, 2021, for agencies to meet remotely; and
WHEREAS, since issuing Executive Order N-08-21, the Delta variant has emerged, causing a
spike in COVID-19 cases throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, on August 3, 2021, in response to the Delta variant, the San Mateo County
Health Department ordered all individuals to wear masks when inside public spaces and maintain social
distancing; and
WHEREAS, on September 16, 2021, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361)
(202 1) which allows for local legislative bodies and advisory bodies to continue to conduct meetings via
teleconferencing under specified conditions, including that the City Council makes specified findings;
and
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File Number: 21-805
Enactment Number: RES 185-2021
WHEREAS, the City cannot maintain social distancing requirements for the public, staff,
Councilmembers, and advisory body members in their respective meeting locations; and
WHEREAS, because of the rise in cases due to the Delta variant, the City is concerned about
the health and safety of all individuals who intend to attend Council and advisory body meetings; and
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 166-2021
making findings and declaring the need for the Council and advisory bodies to continue meeting
remotely in order to ensure the health and safety of the public and authorizing remote teleconference
meetings pursuant to Government Code section 54953(e); and
WHEREAS, the City is required to make certain findings every thirty (30) days to continue
teleconferencing under Government Code section 54953(e)(3), including reconsideration of the state of
emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to Government Code section 8625, and State or local
officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the circumstances of the Governor's state of
emergency proclamation pursuant to Government Code section 8625, which remains active; and
WHEREAS, the Health Officer of the County of San Mateo continues to require all
individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask while indoors in public spaces and maintain
social distancing; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") continues to
recommend physical distancing of at least six feet (6') from others outside of the household; and
WHEREAS, the circumstances described under Resolution No. 166-2021 continue to exist
and the City continues to be concerned about the health and safety of all individuals who intend to attend
Council and advisory body meetings.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN
FRANCISCO RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
1. In compliance with AB 361 (2021), and in order to continue to conduct teleconference meetings
without complying with the usual teleconference meeting requirements of the Brown Act, the
City Council makes the following findings:
a) The City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency; and
b) The state of emergency, as declared by the Governor and City Council, continues to directly
impact the ability of the City Council and the City's advisory bodies, as well as staff and
members of the public, from meeting safely in person;
c) San Mateo County Health orders require all individuals in public spaces to maintain social
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File Number. 21-805
Enactment Number: RES 185-2021
distancing; however the City cannot maintain social distancing requirements for the
Councilmembers, advisory bodies, staff and public in the meeting spaces; and
d) The City Council and advisory bodies continue to need to be able to meet remotely due to
present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees.
2. City Council and advisory body meetings may continue to be conducted remotely in compliance
with AB 361, in order to better ensure the health and safety of the public.
3. The City Council will revisit the need to conduct meetings remotely within 30 days of the
adoption of this resolution.
At a meeting of the City Council on 10/27/2021, a motion was made by Vice Mayor Nagales,
seconded by Councilmember Coleman, that this Resolution be approved. The motion passed.
Yes: 5 Mayor Addiego, Vice Mayor Nagales, Councilmember Nicolas, Councilmember
Coleman, and Councilmember Flores
Attest by
Rosa Govea costa, City Clerk
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