Title
Adoption of Urgency Uncodified Ordinance to Suspend During the Local Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Certain Provisions of the City's Sunshine Ordinance to the Extent Inconsistent with, or Impose Requirements Beyond Those Explicitly Waived or Waivable by, Executive Orders of the Governor. (City Attorney)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Newsom has issued a number of Executive Orders, two of which are relevant to this agenda report. One Executive Order suspends certain provisions of the State's Open Meeting Law (the Brown Act) and thereby allows all members of the City Council to conduct a meeting by teleconference so long as there are procedures in place that allow members of the public to observe the meeting and comment on agenda items. The other Executive Order permits City staff to meet with the full City Council without complying with the Brown Act in order keep the Council informed about the local emergency arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this latter situation, Council may ask questions of staff but Council may not deliberate or take action. Certain provisions of the City of Alameda's (City) Sunshine Ordinance may be inconsistent with, or impose requirements beyond those explicitly waived or waivable by, these Executive Orders. In order to support the City's and the State's efforts to combat COVID-19, to keep the public safe, and to avoid any potential inconsistencies, staff is recommending such provisions be suspended until the City Council rescinds the local emergency.
BACKGROUND
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the President of the United States has declared a national emergency, the Governor of the State of California has declared a State of Emergency for the State and issued numerous Executive Orders to protect the public, County Health Officers throughout the State, including the County of Alameda, have also issued orders and directives in a...
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