On October 17, 2022, the Governor announced the COVID-19 State of Emergency will end on February 28, 2023, thereby withdrawing the exceptions to the teleconference requirements provided in Assembly Bill 361. Beginning March 1, 2023, all meetings will require either in-person attendance, compliance with the Brown Act’s traditional teleconferencing requirements, or compliance with the Brown Act’s new teleconferencing requirements under Assembly Bill 2449. AB 2449 allows for committees to meet without identifying each teleconference location in the notice and agenda of the meeting, and without making each teleconference location accessible to the public under certain circumstances, but only if there is “just cause” or “emergency circumstances” justifying the remote appearance and at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body participates in person from a singular physical location clearly identified on the agenda that is open to the public and situated within the committee’s watershed area.
Amended Brown Act Provisions
The Ralph M. Brown Act, requires that all meetings of a legislative body of a local agency be open, public and that all persons be permitted to attend and participate. The act allows for meetings to occur via teleconferencing subject to certain requirements, particularly that the legislative body notice each teleconference location of each member that will be participating in the public meeting, that each teleconference location be accessible to the public, that members of the public be allowed to address the legislative body at each teleconference location, that the legislative body post an agenda at each teleconference location, and that at least a quorum of the legislative body participate from locations within the boundaries of the local agency’s jurisdiction.
AB 2449 revises the teleconferencing provisions in the Brown Act, authorizing the committee to use teleconferencing without complying with the teleconferencing requirements that each teleconference location be identified in the notice and agenda; and that each teleconference location be accessible to the public. Under this exception, AB 2449 authorizes a committee member to participate remotely under specified circumstances, including participating remotely for just cause or due to emergency circumstances.
- Committee member must submit a disclosure of “just cause.”
- Committee member must participate remotely by audio and video.
- May not participate remotely under “just cause” more than two meetings within a calendar year.
- And may not participate remotely for any reason for more than three consecutive months or for 20 percent of the regular meetings within a calendar year.
- Quorum must participate in the meeting from a single physical location.
Rules of Conduct
The Safe, Clean Water Program has prepared the following rules of conduct fact sheet for use during committee meetings, adapted from Robert’s Rules of Order. The purpose of these rules for conduct at meetings is to allow every committee member to be heard and to enable the committee to make decisions without confusion.
SCWP Committee Rules of Conduct Fact Sheet
Video Conference Guidelines
The District continues to adapt to these unprecedented circumstances that all of us are facing together and remains committed to actively take measures to serve the public in a safe and responsible manner. During this time, we are working diligently to prepare and utilize new resources to implement numerous Safe, Clean Water Program components. We want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and involvement in this Program.
When possible, the District has set up virtual online meetings for WASC, ROC and SC meetings. The specific committee pages have meetings dates and times, as well as links and call-in numbers to access the meetings.
The following guidance document contains instructions for creating an account, logging in, and joining a meeting. Also included are protocols for the meeting, video conference etiquette, how to overcome technical difficulties and how to contact us.
Governance Committee Meetings Recordings Policy
Online Comment Card
Phone participants and the public are encouraged to submit public comments (or a request to make a public comment) to SafeCleanWaterLA@pw.lacounty.gov prior to the meeting. Please use the Comment Card for instructions.
Accommodations
Accommodations to assist persons with disabilities are available if requested at least three business days prior to the Committee Meeting. Late requests will be accommodated to the extent feasible. Requests for accommodations may be made to: SafeCleanWaterLA@pw.lacounty.gov or by telephone, to 833-ASK-SCWP.
