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CC RESOLUTION 5355RESOLUTION NO. 5355 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF EL SEGUNDO FINDING THAT CERTAIN CONDITIONS EXIST TO CONTINUE CONDUCTING PUBLIC MEETINGS VIA TELECONFERENCING PURUSANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION §§ 54953(e) AND 54953(f). The City Council of the city of El Segundo does resolve as follows: SECTION 1. Findings. The City Council finds and declares as follows: A. On March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in California due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and such State of Emergency has not been rescinded by either the Governor or the California Legislature. B. This gubernatorial proclamation, among other things, suspended local government emergency declaration, reporting, and extension requirements of Government Code § 8630 for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. C. Effective September 16, 2021, Assembly Bill No. 361 ("AB 361") took effect which, among other things, amends certain provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act ("Brown Act") governing open meetings to allow teleconferencing, including internet-based video conferencing, in a manner similar to previously issued gubernatorial executive orders. D. During a proclaimed state of emergency, AB 361 allows a legislative body, like the City Council, to continue utilizing teleconferencing to conduct public meetings under certain circumstances, provided the legislative body makes certain findings. E. The City Council has previously adopted and made findings to continue meeting via teleconferencing pursuant to AB 361 and seeks to make additional findings under Government Code § 54953(e) to continue such teleconferencing use. F, The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an order, effective April 22, 2022, maintaining its position that masks are "strongly recommended" in indoor settings to prevent transmission of COVID-19. G. Following weeks of high case numbers fueled by highly infectious strains of COVID-19, BA.4 and BA.5, in a July 12, 2022 press release, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has RESOLUTION NO. 5355 PAGE 1 of 4 recommended "wearing high -quality respirator masks and getting tested" to slow the spread of COVID 19, SECTION 2. Teleconferencing; Ratification. A. Pursuant to Government Code § 54953(e), the City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency finds as follows: California continues to be in a declared state of emergency pursuant to Government Code § 8625 (the California Emergency Services Act; see Government Code § 54953(e)(3); see also Governor's Proclamation dated March 4, 2020); and 2. Based upon the most recent Order of the Health Officer for County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health (dated April 21, 2022 and effective April 22, 2022) and recent public Los Angeles County Department of Public Health releases, masks are strongly recommended to curb the spread of COVID-19 (Government Code § 54953(e)(3)(B)(ii)). B. Accordingly, to protect public health and safety the City Council: Finds that it is in the public interest to conduct City Council meetings via teleconference as defined by Government Code § 54953; 2. Authorizes City Council members to appear at regular and special meetings in person; and 3. Authorizes public officials, designated by the City Manager, or designee, to attend such City Council meetings if presenting matters to the legislative body or if the official's presence at the meeting is otherwise deemed necessary by the City Manager or designee. C. The City Council will adhere to all requirements of Government Code § 54953 governing teleconferencing during the emergency including, without limitation, posting agendas; allowing for real-time public comment via either call -in or internet-based; allowing for written communications that will be either read or summarized into the record during the meeting as determined by the City Council; and protecting the statutory and constitutional rights of all persons appearing before the legislative body. SECTION 3. Environmental Review. This Resolution itself and the actions anticipated herein were reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality RESOLUTION NO. 5355 PAGE 2 of 4 Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regulations §§15000, et seq., the "CEQA Guidelines"). Based upon that review, this action is exempt from further review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15269(a) because the protection of public and private property is necessary to maintain service essential to the public, health and welfare. SECTION 4. Reporting. Every 30 days following adoption of this Resolution, the City Council will reconsider the extension of the teleconferencing method of public meetings in accordance with Government Code § 54953(e)(3). Such determinations may be placed on the consent calendar. SECTION 5. Electronic Signatures. This Resolution may be executed with electronic signatures in accordance with Government Code §16.5. Such electronic signatures will be treated in all respects as having the same effect as an original signature. SECTION 6. Signature Authority. The Mayor, or presiding officer, is hereby authorized to affix his signature to this Resolution signifying its adoption by the City Council of the City of El Segundo, and the City Clerk, or her duly appointed deputy, is directed to attest thereto. SECTION 7. Effective Date. This Resolution will take effect immediately upon adoption and will remain effective unless repealed or superseded. SECTION & City Clerk Actions. The City Clerk will certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution, enter it in the City's book of original Resolutions, and make a record of this action in the meeting's minutes. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16t" day of August, 2022. ATTEST: hI�M�W Tracy Wea r, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Mark Hens y, City Attorney Drew Bo Mayor RESOLUTION NO. 5355 PAGE 3 of 4 CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS CITY OF EL SEGUNDO ) I, Tracy Weaver, City Clerk of the City of El Segundo, California, hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the City is five; that the foregoing Resolution No. 5355 was duly passed and adopted by said City Council, approved and signed by the Mayor of said City, and attested to by the City Clerk of said City, all at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 16t" day of August, 2022, and the same was so passed and adopted by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Boyles, Council Member Pirsztuk, Council Member Nicol, and Council Member Giroux NOES: None ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tern Pimentel ABSTAIN. None WITNESS MY HAND THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF SAID CITY this day of August, 202Z Tra Weaver, City Clerk of the City of El Segundo, California RESOLUTION NO. 5355 PAGE 4 of 4