Item No. 7
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – REGULAR AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MONA EBRAHIMI, CITY ATTORNEY
DATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2026
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF A POLICY REGARDING
DISRUPTION OF SERVICE IMPACTING PUBLIC TWO-WAY
REMOTE PARTICIPATION DURING A CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council adopt the attached policy establishing procedures for the City Council when there is disruption of telephonic or internet service during a City Council meeting that prevents the public's ability to attend or observe a meeting via two-way remote participation.
BACKGROUND
On October 3, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill ("SB") 707 into law. SB 707 made major amendments to the Brown Act and is considered to be the biggest overhaul to the Brown Act in decades. One aspect of these major amendments was the creation of a new subcategory of legislative bodies called "eligible legislative bodies." SB 707 imposed additional Brown Act requirements onto eligible legislative bodies. Atherton City Council is an eligible legislative body because it is "a city council of a city located in a county with a population of 600,000 or more." (Government Code 54953.4(e)(2)(C)). This term applies specifically to city councils and not broader categories of Brown Act bodies.
Starting on July 1, 2026, all eligible legislative bodies must, except as specified, provide an opportunity for members of the public to attend meetings via two-way telephonic service or audiovisual service via the internet. Relatedly, by July 1, 2026, each eligible legislative body must adopt a policy addressing procedures for recessing and convening a meeting in the event of a disruption to telephonic or internet services that prevent the public's ability to attend or observe a meeting. SB 707 requires that this policy be adopted as a regular item, not as an item on the consent calendar.
ANALYSIS
SB 707 Policy Adoption
FEBRUARY 18, 2026
The attached policy is drafted to meet the requirements of Government Code section 54953.4(b). The policy specifies when it does and does not apply, establishes procedures for the Council to follow if there is a disruption of telephonic or internet service that prevents the public's ability to attend or observe a meeting, specifies what the Council can and cannot do during a disruption of telephonic or internet service, and describes procedures for continuing with a meeting if the disruption to telephonic or internet service cannot be resolved. Following adoption, the Policy will be incorporated into the City Council Policy Handbook.
The City Council already provides for a two-way teleconference option for the public to attend its meetings (via Zoom). It must, starting July 1, 2026, remember that if there is a disruption with the zoom, to recess the meeting until the zoom is functioning again.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal D - Be Forward Thinking
POLICY FOCUS
There are no policy issues significant to this item.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
1. Administrative Policy