San Francisco DAS commission votes to keep meetings remote, city attorney says hybrid return possible after Feb. 28

The Department of Disability and Aging Services commission unanimously adopted a resolution finding that city officials continue to recommend social distancing and that the commission may continue to meet by teleconference with opportunities for public participation.

City Attorney David Rees told the panel the state and local emergency declarations are the legal bases that currently allow remote meetings under the Brown Act amendment. “The date that has been put out there is to be prepared that after February 28 to be prepared to return to, in‑person meetings, if and or when the local emergency declaration is lifted,” Rees said, describing the mayor’s expectation that bodies be ready to convene in person if the local emergency ends.

Rees said the likely model would be a limited “hybrid” similar to the Board of Supervisors’ approach: elected members, clerks and necessary staff in the meeting room while the public participates remotely. He added vaccination requirements will apply to those attending in person and that masking will generally be required indoors, though brief temporary unmasking may be allowed for a speaker who needs to be heard.

Commissioners asked about specifics for masking and verification. Rees said his office will issue written guidance before any first in‑person meeting and invited commissioners to raise individual concerns with the city attorney’s office rather than at a public meeting.

President Martha Knudson moved the resolution; Commissioner Sasha Buettner seconded. The secretary recorded a unanimous roll‑call vote with all present commissioners voting yes.

The commission’s action keeps the department’s meetings accessible to the public remotely while the emergency declarations remain in effect. Rees said his office and the mayor’s staff will provide written directives to the commission ahead of any in‑person convening so members understand vaccination and masking rules.