RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL
CITY, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A REMOTE PARTICIPATION AND
SERVICE DISRUPTION POLICY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RALPH M.
BROWN ACT, AS AMENDED BY SENATE BILL 707.
WHEREAS, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code section 54950 et seq.) requires that the meetings of legislative bodies be conducted openly and publicly, and that all persons be permitted to attend and participate; and WHEREAS, the California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 707 to modernize teleconferencing requirements and ensure continued public access to meetings conducted through telephonic and audiovisual platforms; and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 707 requires the City Council of the City of Cathedral City to provide the public with remote access to City Council meetings via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform, and to adopt a policy governing remote participation, telephonic or internet service disruptions, procedures for recessing and reconvening a meeting in the event of disruption, and the efforts that the City shall make to attempt to restore the service; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to ensure compliance with state law and to promote transparency, accessibility, and orderly conduct of public meetings; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adopting a Remote Participation and Service Disruption Policy will establish clear procedures for maintaining public access and responding to technological failures or interruptions; WHEREAS, the City Council finds that meaningful public access includes the ability to observe and provide real-time comment during meetings conducted in person or through telephonic or audiovisual means; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that service disruptions may impair the public’s rights and must be addressed to maintain transparency and compliance with state law; and
WHEREAS, the City Council further finds that clear procedures for addressing disruptions promote consistency, fairness, and public confidence; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that suspension of proceedings during a disruption is necessary to ensure that no action is taken without required public access; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that requiring good-faith efforts to restore service and maintaining a record of disruptions supports accountability and compliance; and
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1; Adoption of Policy
The City Council hereby adopts the Remote Participation and Service Disruption Policy, attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference, and makes it applicable to its noticed meetings, effective July 1, 2026.
The City Council may, at its discretion and based on availability of the necessary technology and staff, direct that other City legislative bodies also comply with the policy; alternatively, other legislative bodies may, of their own accord, adopt and comply with the policy.
Section 2. Implementation
The City Clerk, in coordination with the Information Technology Division, is hereby authorized and directed to implement and administer the policy and to establish any procedures necessary to carry out its provisions.
Section 3. Severability
If any provision of this Resolution or the attached policy is held invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions.
Section 4. Effective Date
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cathedral City held on this _____ day of _______________, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
________________________________
Raymond Gregory, Mayor
City of Cathedral City, California
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Christina Burton, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________________
Eric S. Vail, City Attorney
Exhibit A
Remote Participation and Service Disruption Policy