HomeMy Public PortalAboutResolution - 22-35- 20220914 - Affirm Teleconference MeeRESOLUTION NO. 22-35
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA
REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT AFFIRMING FINDINGS ON THE
CONTINUED NEED FOR REMOTE TELECONFERENCED PUBLIC
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND BOARD COMMITTEES
WHEREAS, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District ("District") is committed
to preserving and nurturing public access and participation in meetings of the Board of Directors;
and
WHEREAS, California Government Code section 54953(e) empowers local legislative
bodies to conduct meetings via teleconferencing under specified conditions, including that the
Board of Directors make specified findings every 30 days; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California's March 4, 2020 Proclamation of a
State of Emergency remains in effect as of the date of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2021, the Santa Clara County Health Officer issued a
Recommendation Regarding Continued Remote Public Meetings of Governmental Entities,
basing the recommendation on: 1) the continued threat of COVID-19 to the community, 2) the
unique characteristics of public governmental meetings (such as the increased mixing associated
with bringing together people from across the com nunity, the need to enable those who are
immunocornpromised or unvaccinated to be able to safely continue to fully participate in public
governmental meetings, and the challenges with fully ascertaining and ensuring compliance with
vaccination and other safety recommendations at such meetings), and 3) the continued increased
safety protection that social distancing provides as one means by which to reduce the risk of
COVID-19 transmission; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations began increasing in May and new
COVID-19 variants continue to emerge, including a recent variant with increased transmissibility
that can affect the County's hospital capacity. Holding in -person meetings with all members of
the legislative body, staff, and the public in attendance in a shared indoor meeting space could
particularly impact persons who are at higher risk of severe illness; and
WHEREAS, for the reasons set forth above, the District is concerned about the health
and safety of all individuals who attend open and public meetings of the District; and
WHEREAS, the conditions under which Board of Directors initially determined that
there is a need to conduct meetings via teleconferencing as set forth in Resolution 21-33 are
therefore still in existence.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT 'lHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Board of Directors has reviewed the need for continuing teleconferenced meetings.
Resolutions/2022122-35_AffirrnTeleconfereneeMeetings 1
2. In compliance with California Government Code section 54953(e), the Board makes the
following findings:
a. The state of emergency continues to impact the ability of the District's legislative
bodies, as well as staff and members of the public, to meet safely in person.
b. State or local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote
social distancing.
3. The Board of Directors authorizes and directs the General Manager and legislative bodies
of the District, including all standing and ad hoc committees of the Board of Directors,
and all advisory bodies created or appointed by the Board of Directors, including the
Bond Oversight Committee, to take all actions necessary to carry out the intent and
purpose of this Resolution, including conducting open and public meetings in accordance
with Government Code section 54953(e) and other applicable provisions of the Brown
Act.
4. This Resolution is effective upon adoption.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District on September 14, 2022, at a regular meeting thereof, by the following vote:
AYES: CYR, HASSETT, KERSTEEN-TUCKER, KISHIMOTO, RIFFLE, SIEMENS
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: HOLMAN
ATTEST:
Karen Holman, Secretary
Board of Directors
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ir\Or \YI- r/1/7 ---
Hilary Ste son, General Counsel
APPROVED:
Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, President
Board of Directors
I, the District Clerk of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, hereby certify
that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors
of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District by the above vote at a meeting thereof duly
held and called on the above day.
nnifer o dworth, District Clerk
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