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Options for Virtual Meeting Attendance Planning Commission 2 of 4 Virtual attendance for Just Cause may be unilaterally exercised by a commissioner. A commissioner is requested to advise staff as soon as the commissioner knows that the commissioner will attend virtually under this Just Cause provision. A commissioner is allowed under state law to wait until the start of the meeting to advise that the commissioner is exercising such Just Cause. However, since virtual attendance in this manner has tech nical and quorum issues, described below, commissioners are requested to not wait until the start of the meeting. Requirements for a commissioner’s virtual attendance, and general meeting operational mandates, are described below. 2. Emergency Circumstances. “Emergency Circumstances” that allow for virtual attendance under AB 2449 is “a physical or family medical emergency” that prevents a commissioner from attending in person. Unlike Just Cause, in order to attend virtually under Emergency Circumstances the Planning Commission must approve an individual commissioner’s request. When making an Emergency Circumstances request, the commissioner must provide a general description (it does not have to exceed 20 words) of the commissioner’s medical emergency and the commissioner’s need to attend virtually. Commissioners are not required to disclose the medical condition or diagnosis of him or herself or his or her family member. The commissioner’s request and the description will then be placed on the public agenda for Planning Commission’s action to approve or deny. State law requires that the commissioner make a separate request for each meeting that the commissioner seeks to attend virtually due to such Emergency Circumstances. Like Just Cause, if a commissioner is interested in attending virtually due to Emergency Circumstances, the commissioner should make the request at the earliest opportunity. If there is insufficient time to place the request on the agenda, the Planning Commission still may take action on the request at the beginning of the meeting by publicly announcing the Emergency Circumstances request as described by the commissioner, and then taking a vote. Virtual attendance under Emergency Circumstances may not be used for more than three (3) consecutive months, or twenty percent (20%) of regular meetings per calendar year. Again, requirements for a commissioner’s virtual attendance, and general meeting operational mandates, are described below. Requirements for Commissioner Virtually Attending. Virtual attendance using Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances has the following requirements for the commissioner so attending: A. The commissioner must participate in the meeting using both audio and visual technology. B. The commissioner must orally disclose at the meeting if any individual over the age of 18 is present with the commissioner. a. If yes, the commissioner must also orally describe at the meeting the nature of the commissioner’s relationship with that person.