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Options for Virtual Meeting Attendance Planning Commission 3 of 4 Requirements for Conduct of Meeting. When a commissioner attends virtually using the Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances, then the Planning Commission meeting must also fulfill these requirements: I. At least a quorum of the Planning Commission must participate in-person from a single location that is identified on the agenda, open to the public, accessible and within the City. a. For practical purposes, that location will be the City Council Chambers following regular meeting protocols. b. Note: With the requirement for a quorum to participate in-person, it is recommended that if a commissioner expects to attend virtually that the commissioner advise staff as soon as possible. i. For example, in a typical meeting situation, if 5 commissioners and 1 alternate are attending, then 2 commissioners may attend virtually; as that means 4 commissioners will be attending in-person and the in- person quorum requirement (3 commissioners) would be met. ii. As another example, if only 3 commissioners and 1 alternate are attending, then only 1 commissioner may virtually attend using AB 2449, since, with 4 commissioners attending, the in-person quorum requirement remains 3. II. The meeting must be held using a two-way audio and video platform or a two-way telephonic service and live webcast of the meeting that allows the public to virtually hear and observe the meeting and address the Planning Commission. a. The agenda must identify a way for the public to attend through a call-in option, internet based service option, and in-person at the meeting location. i. If the City’s virtual connection for the public is interrupted such that either: (1) the City’s broadcast of the meeting does not work for call-in or internet-based viewers; or (2) the City’s connection does not allow the public to provide comments by call-in or internet-based options, then the Planning Commission cannot take action on any items on the agenda until the City’s virtual connection is restored. Note: If the connection is lost or interrupted due to the member of the public’s system problems, that does not require that the meeting stop. b. If a commissioner is attending virtually, votes are to be taken by roll call. 3. Teleconferencing. The classic Brown Act is a reference to state open meeting laws which were in place before the pandemic, and adopted prior to technology becoming available to hold virtual meetings. While the state legislature has allowed for virtual attendance under Just Cause and Emergency Circumstances described above per AB 2449, above, the classic Brown Act also allows for teleconference attendance by commissioners. Attendance by teleconferencing under the classic Brown Act is not limited to specific statutory reasons. So, a commissioner can attend by teleconference if, for example, the commissioner is on vacation. However, teleconference attendance has many more specific and burdensome