HOA Homefront: We can’t email or talk? Limits on board discussions outside meetings

Q: Our management company recently advised the board they could no longer discuss any HOA business via “group” emails in between meetings, even if the emails lead to no decisions or directions. Is that standard in California? — R.C., Mission Viejo
A: The Open Meeting Act, at Civil Code 4910(b)(1), says boards cannot “conduct a meeting via a series of electronic transmissions, including, but not limited to, electronic mail.” For example, texting board discussions als