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1 <br /> THE CITY OF <br /> -•• ,.° •�_ "'' CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT <br /> PLEASANTON <br /> November 15, 2022 <br /> City Attorney <br /> City Clerk <br /> City Manager <br /> TITLE: ADOPT FINDINGS REGARDING PUBLIC HEALTH RELATED TO THE <br /> COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO SUPPORT CONTINUED VIRTUAL PUBLIC CITY <br /> MEETINGS PER RESOLUTION NO. 21-1249; AND INFORMATION ABOUT <br /> VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE BY OFFICIALS AT PUBLIC MEETINGS <br /> SUMMARY <br /> While the City Council has returned to in-person meetings, the COVID pandemic <br /> resulted in temporary changes in California meeting requirements that allow for <br /> continued virtual public meetings. Most commissions, committees and subcommittees <br /> are still meeting virtually. State law (AB 361 of 2021) requires the City to make public <br /> health findings to continue such virtual meetings. The Council adopted required findings <br /> on October 5, 2021, by Resolution No. 21-1249, and confirmed the same on November <br /> 2 and December 7, 2021, and January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19, May 17, <br /> June 7, July 19, August 16, September 20, and October 18, 2022. <br /> The Governor's Office has announced that the COVID-19 State of Emergency in <br /> California will end on February 28, 2023. At that point, virtual public meetings will no <br /> longer be allowed by AB 361. Options for some virtual attendance by officials thereafter <br /> are provided for information. <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> Adopt by minute order the following findings: <br /> 1. Health officers in California report that while COVID-19 diagnostic tests have <br /> fewer positive results, wastewater surveillance continues to show concentrations <br /> of the virus; <br /> 2. New omicron BA.5 sublineages are growing and continue to result in illness <br /> (including long COVID), isolation, and exposure of others; <br /> 3. Eligible persons are getting COVID bivalent booster shots at lower rates than <br /> when booster shots were first made available; and <br /> 4. Alameda County's Department of Public Health recommends six (6) feet of <br /> distancing in workplaces to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many commissions <br /> and committees meet in rooms where there is not sufficient space for such <br /> physical distancing due to large membership. <br /> FINANCIAL STATEMENT <br /> No effect. Existing staff will continue to facilitate virtual meetings. <br />