RES 211249 - Laserfiche WebLink

RESOLUTION NO. 21-1249 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLEASANTON ADOPTING FINDINGS REGARDING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND PUBLIC HEALTH ARISING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WHICH SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC CITY MEETINGS WHEREAS, the Governor declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19 on March 4, 2020, which has been extended. Due to the COVID-19 Delta variant, many pandemic restrictions remain in place; and WHEREAS, the California Department of Public Health has issued COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards which generally requires that face coverings be worn in shared rooms, and persons to be at least six feet apart; and WHEREAS, the Alameda County Department of Public Health has issued Heath Officer Orders regarding face coverings, as well as COVID-19 Office Workspace Guidance that emphasized that "Everyone (e.g., personnel, patrons, vendors, visitors, etc.) must maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others in the office, as often as possible. ... [and] Common areas including but not limited to ...meeting spaces, ...should be configured with impermeable barriers and increased physical distance between tables and chairs to comply with all health and safety guidance." WHEREAS, public meetings involve many people in shared indoors spaces for hours, when the number of people present does not always allow for a minimum six foot distance between persons. Close contacts raise the risk of the spread of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, commissions and committees often do not have microphones at their public meetings resulting in persons needing to speak loudly or project their voices to be heard by the group. Speaking loudly indoors with other can raise the risk of the spread of aerosols with the COVID-19 virus; and WHEREAS, City meeting rooms do not typically have mechanical or natural ventilation, or both, which maximizes the quantity of outdoor air which can be brought into the meeting rooms. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLEASANTON DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER THE FOLLOWING: SECTION 1. Finds that the public health, safety and welfare supports continued social distancing as a result of the transmissibility of the COVID-19 virus, such that in-person meetings create a health risk. And, therefore, providing for virtual City meetings as follows: A. The City Council will continue to have the Mayor and Councilmembers be permitted to attend in-person City Council meetings with staff in attendance, and pre-screened persons in attendance; all of whom have been verified as vaccinated or otherwise pre- screened for symptoms. And, members of the public, staff, applicants, and councilmembers may attend virtually to allow them to avoid exposure, maintain social distancing and not require pre-screening for vaccination or symptoms; and