HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221208_UVBGSA_Board_StaffReport2a_v1
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
340 Lake Mendocino Dr. • Ukiah • California 95482 • (707)463-4363 • fax (707)463-5474
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GSA Administration Staff Report
Item No. 2a
Date 12/08/2022
From UVBGSA General Manager (Erik Cadaret, West Yost)
To Board of Directors
Subject Discussion and Possible Action Including Adoption of Resolution of the Ukiah Valley
Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Finding that State or Local Officials
Continue to Recommend Measures to Promote Social Distancing in Connection with
Public Meetings
Consent Agenda ☒ Regular Agenda ☐ Notice of Public Hearing ☐
Recommended Action
Board adopt resolution 22-04.
Background
Beginning in March 2020, amid rising concern surrounding the spread of COVID-19 throughout
communities in the state, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a series of Executive Orders aimed
at containing the novel coronavirus. These Executive Orders (N-25-20, N-29-20, N-35-20) collectively
modified certain requirements created by the Ralph M. Brown Act (“the Brown Act”), the state’s local
agency public meetings law.
Assembly Bill 361 provides local agencies with the ability to meet remotely during proclaimed state
emergencies under modified Brown Act requirements, similar in many ways to the rules and procedures
established by the Governor’s Executive Orders. AB 361’s provisions can only be used in the event that a
gubernatorial state of emergency 1) has been issued AND 2) remains active. It is not sufficient that county
and/or city officials have issued a local emergency declaration – the emergency declaration must be one
that is made pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act (CA GOVT § 8625).
This means that, during a state of emergency, under specified circumstances, AB 361 provides local
agencies the flexibility to meet remotely during a proclaimed emergency pursuant to modified Brown Act
requirements.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency is required to
reconsider the circumstances of the emergency and make a finding of whether state or local officials
continue to recommend social distancing measures. This finding must be renewed every thirty (30) days
if any member(s) of the Board will be participating from a location not open to the public. Mendocino
County Health Officer Dr. Andrew Coren made such a recommendation on September 29, 2021, which
continues to be in place as of the time of agenda publication.
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
340 Lake Mendocino Dr. • Ukiah • California 95482 • (707)463-4363 • fax (707)463-5474
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GSA Staff has prepared the attached draft resolution, containing the required findings, for the Board’s
consideration and approval.
Fiscal Impact
None.