Exhibit 4 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-096 .
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING CITY COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT – PUBLIC
MEETING PARTICIPATION OUTREACH EFFORTS
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 707 (2025) amended the Ralph M. Brown Act, or the Brown Act (Cal. Gov.
Code, §§ 54950-54963), to include additional requirements to encourage participation in public meetings, particularly among underrepresented communities and non-English-speaking communities; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C) requires the City Council to determine and make reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings; and
WHEREAS, such reasonable efforts may include outreach to media organizations serving the jurisdiction, including those serving non-English-speaking communities, as well as civic, neighborhood, community-based, civil rights, and good government organizations; and WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C)(ii) provides legislative bodies with broad discretion in determining appropriate reasonable efforts and clarifies that no action shall arise from failing to provide notice to any specific group; and WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad is committed to promoting transparency, accessibility, and broad public participation in its public meetings; and
WHEREAS, the city currently utilizes a variety of communication methods to inform the public of City Council meetings and opportunities to participate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That proposed action to adopt a City Council policy addressing new Brown Act requirements for outreach efforts for City Council meetings is exempt from environmental review under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment.
3.That the City Council adopts City Council Policy Statement – Public Meeting Participation Outreach Efforts (Attachment A).
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 19th day of May, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
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Docusign Envelope ID: 9E3A17C8-89A2-8656-829D-8F48EDF5AE96
Policy No. 103
Date Issued May 19, 2026
Resolution No. 2026-096
Subject: Public Meeting Participation Outreach Efforts Purpose
This policy establishes the City Council’s determination of reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings (Cal. Gov.
Code, § 54953.4(b)(3)(C)). The policy ensures transparency, accessibility and broad public participation in public meetings.
Background
Senate Bill 707 (2025) amended the Ralph M. Brown Act (Cal. Gov. Code, §§ 54950-54963) to require eligible legislative bodies to determine and make reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings. Such reasonable efforts may include outreach to media organizations serving the jurisdiction, including those serving non-English-speaking communities, as well as civic, neighborhood, community-based, civil rights, and good government organizations.
The City of Carlsbad currently utilizes a variety of communication methods to inform the public of City Council meetings and opportunities to participate. The city is committed to promoting transparency, accessibility, and broad public participation in its public meetings.
Statement of policy
This policy applies to all open and public meetings of the City Council. California Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C)(ii) provides legislative bodies with broad discretion in determining appropriate reasonable outreach efforts and clarifies that no action may be commenced or maintained for failing to provide public meeting information to any specific group.
This policy is intended to provide a flexible framework for reasonable outreach efforts and must be implemented consistent with available resources and evolving communication practices.
Procedure
The City Council determines that the following constitute reasonable outreach efforts under California Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C) to encourage participation in City Council meetings:
Media outreach
Proactively include media organizations serving the city, including non-English-language newspapers and publications, in the distribution of City Council meeting agendas.
Attachment A
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City Council Policy Statement
May 19, 2026
Electronic Access and Agenda Subscriptions
Maintain opportunities for members of the public to subscribe to receive City Council agendas and related materials through the city’s website and include instructions for accessing and subscribing to such materials in translated agendas, including Spanish.
Multilingual Communication
Use multilingual communication methods, including translated agendas and multilingual social media posts (currently provided in Spanish), to increase awareness of meetings and participation opportunities, with additional languages incorporated as appropriate.
Community and Organizational Outreach
Provide meeting information through existing city communication channels and partnerships with community-based organizations, neighborhood groups, and civic or community organizations, including those serving non-English-speaking communities, as opportunities arise and consistent with available resources.
Flexible and Evolving Methods Use additional reasonable methods of outreach as appropriate, including, but not limited to, the city’s website, email notifications, partnerships with community organizations, and other communication platforms that may develop over time.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 9E3A17C8-89A2-8656-829D-8F48EDF5AE96