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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_03_13 - SpecialMINUTES Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Redlands held in the Council Chambers, Civic Center, 35 Cajon Street, on March 13, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. Present: Eddie Tejeda, Mayor Paul Barich, Mayor Pro Tempore Jenna Guzman -Lowery, Council Member Mario Saucedo, Council Member Absent: Denise Davis, Council Member Staff: Charles M. Duggan, Jr., City Manager; Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney; Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk; Janice McConnell, Assistant City Manager; Chris Boatman, Assistant City Manager; Carl Baker, Public Information Officer; Danielle Garcia, Management Services/Finance Director; Brian Desatnik, Development Services Director; John Harris, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director; Rich Sessler, Fire Chief; Rachel Tolber, Interim Police Chief Mayor Tejeda called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. and explained that comments could be presented in -person, via Zoom, via cell phone or landline. He offered the public an opportunity to provide comment on any subject within the jurisdiction of the City Council which is not already scheduled on this agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT None forthcoming NEW BUSINESS Reading of City Ordinances City Attorney Garcia provided background on Senate Bill 1489, entitled, "Local Government Omnibus Act of 2022". SB 1489 was signed into law by the Governor and became effective January 1, 2023. The new law amends Government Code Section 36934 by providing for an exception to the general rule that ordinances be read in full or by title. Prior to Senate Bill 1489, city ordinances were required to be read in full either at the time of introduction or passage, except when, after reading the title, further reading is waived by regular motion adopted by a majority vote of the legislative body. A legislative body may dispense with reading an ordinance in full or by title provided the full title of the ordinance is included on the published agenda; and a copy of the full text of the Ordinance is made available to the public online and in print at the meeting prior to the introduction or passage. Special CC_March 13, 2023 Page 1 On motion of Council Member Jenna Guzman -Lowery, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Paul Barich, the City Council authorized, by roll call vote, the implementation of the changes to the City procedure for the reading of city ordinances consistent with Government Code Section 36934 as amended by Senate Bill 1489, which would no longer require the reading of the text or the full title of a city ordinance provided: 1) the full title of the ordinance is included on the published agenda; and 2) a copy of the full text of the ordinance is made available to the public online and in print at the meeting prior to the introduction or passage. Vote: 4 - 0 Passed Ralph M. Brown Act Workshop City Attorney Garcia presented an overview of the Ralph M. Brown Act, including its purpose, to ensure that meetings of decision -making bodies of local agencies are conducted in public, with the advance posting of an agenda stating the matters to be discussed by the body, and which allows members of the public to participate during the meeting. The Brown Act applies to Legislative Bodies of Local Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Committees created by Ordinance/State Law and Standing Committees (i.e., Budget Subcommittee). A quorum for the Redlands City Council was three Members, even if there was a vacancy. She defined "Meeting" to explain it may occur if a quorum of the City Council congregates at the same time and place to discuss or develop a collective concurrent on any matter of city business or occur by any use of direct communication including text, email, zoom, or with any use of social media utilized by a quorum. The subject matter was broad and represented any matter of city business or potential city business. She discussed exemptions to the Brown Act and explained that it does not apply to less than a quorum, meetings of other agencies, conferences and seminars, ad hoc committees of short duration and limited scope and purely social events. Other Brown Act requirements include posting an agenda 72 hours before a regular meeting and 24 hours before a special meeting. The traditional rules for teleconferencing were contrasted with those of the new guidelines for teleconferencing under AB 2449. Other topic areas included "Just Cause", public comment, disruptive members of the public and Closed Session items. Several hypothetical situations were provided as an opportunity for the Council Members to interactively test their knowledge of the Brown Act and, in closing, each one expressed their appreciation of City Attorney Garcia's efforts in making the workshop very helpful and informative. ADJOURNMENT There being no further action the special meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M. Special CC_March 13, 2023 Page 2