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official business related to the official's city duties. An official is limited to just two virtual attendances for "just cause" per calendar year. Emergency Circumstances under AB 2449 For a public official to attend a meeting virtually due to "emergency circumstances", the official must request that the legislative body allow the official to participate virtually due to a physical or family medical emergency that prevents the official from attending in person. The official must provide a general description (generally not exceeding 20 words) of the official's emergency and the official's need to attend virtually, and that request will be placed on the public agenda. Then, the legislative body must take action to approve or deny the request. An official must make a separate request for each meeting that the official seeks to attend virtually due to such emergency circumstances. Notably, in these emergency circumstances, the legislative body must take action on an official's request to participate virtually at the earliest opportunity. If there is insufficient time to place the request on the agenda, the legislative body may take action on such a request at the beginning of the meeting. Virtual attendance under emergency circumstances may not be used for more than three consecutive months, or 20 percent of regular meetings per calendar year. To comply with AB 2449, a virtual appearance by an official must also meet these requirements: For the official attending virtually: • Must participate through both audio and visual technology • Must publicly disclose whether any individual over the age of 18 is present with the official o If yes, publicly describe the nature of the official's relationship with such individual For the legislative body when an official is attending virtually: • At least a quorum of officials must participate in-person from a single location that is: identified on the agenda, open to the public, accessible, and within the city • The legislative body must provide either: (1) a two-way audio and video platform, or (2) a two-way telephonic service and live webcast of the meeting to allow the public to virtually hear and observe the meeting and address the legislative body • The agenda must identify and include an opportunity for all persons to attend through a call-in option, internet-based service option, and at the in-person location o Public comments or requests to speak shall not be required to be submitted in advance of the meeting • If the virtual connection for the public is disrupted during the meeting and the public is not able to provide comments by call-in or internet-based options, then the legislative body cannot take action on any items on the agenda unless and until the virtual connection is restored Page 3 of 4