pages: CityCouncil/2021-10-05.pdf, 15
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CityCouncil | 2021-10-05 | 15 | Expressed support for City Council meetings continuing to be hosted on Zoom; stated having meetings accessible is critical to having more involvement and engagement: Laura Cutrona, Alameda. Expressed support for remote meetings in the future; stated that she has chronic bronchitis and the pandemic is not over for her; she is not comfortable in large groups and would not be comfortable in the Council Chambers; urged Council to support remote meetings: Melodye Montgomery, Alameda. Stated Zoom is a great way for the public to access meetings and should continue; questioned whether the urgency ordinance is required to continue Zoom meetings: Carmen Reid, Alameda. Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired how the declaration and ordinance differs from or has an impact on the declaration of the Local Emergency under Government Code Section 8630(c). The City Clerk responded the bill that was just passed pertains to the Brown Act, which is a different section of the Government Code; stated this item has to return every 30 days and the other item has to return to Council every 60 days; stated they are two completely separate actions. The City Attorney stated at the beginning of the pandemic, the Council adopted an urgency ordinance suspending certain provisions of the Sunshine Ordinance; this ordinance continues the same provisions with respect to AB 361; both ordinances address Sunshine Ordinance requirements, such as City Hall being the meeting location and remote members having to provide public access; the ordinances are to be consistent with State law and reduce the potential for Sunshine Ordinance complaints. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she voted no on the Declaration under Government Code Section 8630(c) and wants to ensure supporting this item does not conflict with her other votes; stated the two are very similar. The City Attorney stated the findings the Council has to make are: 1) the Governor, not the local agency, has declared a State of Emergency; and 2) public health officials continue to recommend social distancing and meetings would be a hindrance to the public health emergency declared by the Governor; although similar, there are nuanced differences. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated hybrid meetings have been discussed; some people have issues with Zoom and do not like doing meetings remote; hybrid would allow people to come in person or participate on Zoom. The City Clerk stated the provisions outlined in the Assembly Bill pertain to the members on all City bodies, such as the City Council, Boards and Commissions; the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council October 5, 2021 14 | CityCouncil/2021-10-05.pdf |