Despite Calls for In-Person Meetings, Pasadena Council to Continue Meeting Virtually

The City Council approved its monthly resolution that will again allow the council and its subcommittees and commissions to continue to meet virtually for at least 30 days despite an earlier call from Mayor Victor Gordo for a return to live meetings.

The City has not allowed residents inside council chambers since the pandemic began although the school board and the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees have returned to meetings in front of the public.

Several City Council members have returned to council chambers.

More local residents are ready for the City Council to follow suit.

“The world has opened up,” wrote Pastor Kerwin Manning. “Our nation has resumed in-person meeting. Our churches are back in the building using caution. So there is no legitimate reason why our City Council should [not] be meeting in person.”

An executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom allowing virtual meetings and suspending parts of the Brown Act, which governs open meetings of legislative bodies, ended on Sept. 30.

But, the local government bodies can continue to meet virtually if it passes a resolution every 30-days to continue meeting online under the terms of Assembly Bill 361.

Beyond that initial 30-day period, it must confirm the circumstances of the state of emergency and make required findings at least 30 days after adoption of the resolution and every 30 days thereafter.

Under state law, real-time public comments must be allowed by phone or the internet. If the system fails allowing for public comment the meeting must be ended.

In May, Mayor Victor Gordo told council members to get ready to attend meetings before the public soon.

One month later, however, the Council voted to continue meeting virtually.