Staff Report.AB361
PREPARED BY: Wendy Wood
Town Clerk
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, and Town Attorney
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 1/17/2023 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: January 4, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Reaffirming Resolution 2021-044 and Making Findings
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill
361, and, Due to Health and Safety Concerns for the Public, Authorizing the
Use of Hybrid Meetings for the Town Council and the Continued Use of
Virtual Meetings for Boards and Commissions While Town Staff Makes the
Necessary Arrangements to Transition to Hybrid Meetings for All Town
Boards, Commissions, and Committees
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution reaffirming Resolution 2021-044 and making findings pursuant to
Government Code Section 54953, as amended by Assembly Bill 361, and, due to health and
safety concerns for the public, authorizing the use of hybrid meetings for the Town Council and
the continued use of virtual meetings for Boards and Commissions while Town staff makes the
necessary arrangements to transition to hybrid meetings for all Town Boards, Commissions, and
Committees.
BACKGROUND:
On March 17, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20, which allowed for
relaxed provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act) that allowed legislative bodies to
conduct meetings through teleconferencing without having to meet the strict compliance of the
Brown Act. All provisions of Executive Order N-29-20 concerning the conduct of public
meetings expired on September 30, 2021.
AB 361 was signed into law by the Governor on September 16, 2021, and went into effect
immediately upon signing. It amends the Brown Act to allow local legislative bodies to continue
using teleconferencing and virtual meeting technology after the September 30, 2021, expiration
of the current Brown Act exemptions as long as there is a "proclaimed state of emergency" by
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Regarding Brown Act Compliance and Teleconferencing DATE: January 4, 2023
BACKGROUND (continued):
the Governor and state or local officials recommend social distancing. Through December, the
County of Santa Clara recommended social distancing at public meetings but has recently
rescinded that public health order. Given the continued spread of COVID-19 and variants, the
Town Council recommends continued social distancing.
DISCUSSION:
The Town Council will continue to provide a remote participation option in addition to in-
person meetings. Staff will gradually transition all Town Board, Commission, and Committee
meetings to a similar hybrid format.
AB 361 requires public agencies to make findings by majority vote within 30 days of the first
teleconferenced meeting under AB 361 and every 30 days thereafter that a state of emergency
still exists and that state or local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to
promote social distancing.
Town Council adopted Resolution 2021-044 on October 5, 2021 regarding Brown Act
compliance and teleconferencing pursuant to Government Code Section 54953, as amended by
AB 361, and adopted resolutions on the following dates reaffirming Resolution 2021-044:
• November 2, 2021 adopted Resolution 2021-046
• November 16, 2021 adopted Resolution 2021-048
• December 7, 2021 adopted Resolution 2021-054
• December 21, 2021 adopted Resolution 2021-059
• January 18, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-001
• February 1, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-003
• February 15, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-004
• March 1, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-006
• March 15, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-009
• April 5, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-013
• April 19, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-017
• May 3, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-021
• May 17, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-031
• June 7, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-032
• June 21, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-037
• July 12, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-048
• August 2, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-050
• August 16, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-055
• September 6, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-056
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Regarding Brown Act Compliance and Teleconferencing DATE: January 4, 2023
DISCUSSION (continued):
• September 20, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-059
• October 4, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-060
• October 18, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-065
• November 1, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-068
• November 15, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-070
• December 6, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-073
• December 20, 2022 adopted Resolution 2022-076
CONCLUSION:
Adopt a Resolution reaffirming Resolution 2021-044 making findings pursuant to Government
Code Section 54953, as amended by Assembly Bill 361, and authorizing the continued use of
virtual meetings. The Town Council will conduct hybrid meetings and staff will work to prepare
for a transition to hybrid meetings for all Town Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
COORDINATION:
This report was coordinated with the Town Attorney and Town Manager’s offices.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There will be no fiscal impact to the Town at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Draft Resolution