Joint Meeting Council/BFPD
07/21/26 05:30 PM
City Manager Department
Maribel Hernandez
Resolution
Doc ID: 6492
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
AGENDA MATTER:
RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY FOR PROCEDURE FOR ADDRESSING SERVICE
DISRUPTIONS TO TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET COVERAGE OF MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On October 3, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), which amended the Brown Act to expand public access and participation in local government meetings. Among its requirements, SB 707 mandates that legislative bodies adopt a policy establishing procedures for recessing and reconvening meetings in the event of a disruption to the telephonic access, video conferencing, or webcasting services, and outlining efforts to restore public access. The City Council already conducts meetings by allowing two-way remote public access and is in compliance with the law's remote participation requirements
DISCUSSION:
The Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.) establishes requirements for open meetings of local legislative bodies. Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), effective July 1, 2026, amends the Brown Act to expand public access to local government meetings, including requirements related to remote participation, accessibility, and procedures for addressing technology disruptions to public access.
Among its requirements, SB 707 requires legislative bodies to adopt a policy establishing procedures for recessing, reconvening, and restoring public access when a technology disruption affects public participation during a city council meeting. The City Council must adopt such a policy at a regular council meeting in open session, not on the consent agenda. The City Council meetings currently allow for two-way remote public access, and that access is already in compliance with SB 707.
The proposed policy (Exhibit B) establishes procedures for responding to technology disruptions of telephonic or internet/technology services that affect public access to City Council meetings.
Specifically, the policy requires:
1. Announcement of the disruption by the Mayor or City Clerk
2. A temporary recess of up to one hour while staff attempts to restore telephonic or internetbased public access
3. Reconvening the meeting once service is restored or, if service cannot be restored, either adjourning the meeting or adopting the findings required by State law that good faith efforts were made to restore access and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote participation
4. Documenting the disruption, restoration efforts, and any Council findings in the meeting minutes.
The proposed policy is intended to ensure transparency, maintain public access, and comply with the Brown Act requirements established under SB 707.
Joint Meeting Council/BFPD
07/21/26 05:30 PM
City Manager Department
Maribel Hernandez
Resolution
Doc ID: 6492
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
If the proposed Resolution is adopted (Exhibit A), the policy would remain in effect through January 1, 2030, tracking the sunset date established under SB 707, unless extended by future legislation.
Exhibit A - RESOLUTION OF THE BARSTOW CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING A POLICY FOR
PROCEDURE FOR ADDRESSING SERVICE DISRUPTIONS OF PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION BY TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET PLATFORM DURING MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
Exhibit B - POLICY: PROCEDURE FOR ADDRESSING SERVICE DISRUPTIONS OF PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION BY TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET PLATFORM DURING MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with adoption of the proposed policy.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the proposed resolution, as required by Senate Bill 707, establishing a policy for technology disruptions impacting public participation during City Council meetings.