National City Council approves council member's remote participation under AB 2449

The National City Council on May 5 approved a request for one council member to participate remotely under Assembly Bill 2449 after the member said they were traveling on official business.

Councilmember Yamani, joining by video, told the council the remote appearance was "for just cause" because they were "traveling while on official business of the legislative body of or of Sweetwater Authority," and confirmed they could see and hear the dais. The city clerk verified that no one over the age of 18 was present at the remote location and that this would be the council member's first remote appearance this calendar year.

The city clerk conducted a roll-call vote to accept the virtual attendance. Several members voiced their assent and the chair announced the request was approved. The council then recessed into a scheduled closed session.

Allowing remote attendance under AB 2449 permits council members to participate when statutory conditions for remote presence are met; the council's open materials noted that written public comments received by the posted deadline will be published on the city's website. No public speakers offered comments on this item.

The council planned to report out any closed-session actions at the end of the regular meeting.