CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Date: June 2, 2026
Subject
Adoption of a Resolution authorizing Subsidiary Bodies to use teleconferencing for public meetings under Senate Bill (SB) 707.
Recommended Action
Adopt Resolution No. 26-XXX authorizing Subsidiary Bodies to use teleconferencing for public meetings pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6, as added by Senate Bill (SB) 707.
Background
The Ralph M. Brown Act requires that, with limited exceptions, all meetings of a legislative body of a local agency be open and public, and that all persons be permitted to attend and participate. Senate Bill 707 (Durazo) amends the Ralph M. Brown Act and establishes new public meeting and teleconferencing requirements for local legislative bodies. Among other provisions, the legislation authorizes certain eligible subsid iary bodies to use teleconferencing for public meetings if specified statutory conditions are met, and the City Council makes the required findings.
In 2025, the Legislature adopted Senate Bill 707 (Durazo), which amends the Brown Act with the intent to modernize teleconferencing procedures and increase public engagement during meetings of legislative and subsidiary bodies. Among the various new requirements under SB 707, all “eligible legislative bodies ,” as defined by Government Code section 54953.4(e)(2), must now offer hybrid meetings (through a two- way phone or video platform) and certain eligible subsidiary bodies may be authorized to use teleconferencing for public meetings. As pertains to eligible subsidiary bodies, the City Council must make the required findings initially and every six months thereafter for the eligible subsidiary bodies to continue using this teleconferencing option.
The proposed resolution finds that the following eligible subsidiary bodies will benefit from teleconferencing under Government Code section 54953.8.6: Arts and Culture Commission, Audit Committee, Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, Economic Development Committee, Housing Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Planning
Commission, Public Safety Commission, Sustaina bility Commission, Technology, Information and Communications Commission, and Teen Commission. It also authorizes those bodies to use teleconferencing for their public meetings, subject to r econsideration of the required findings by the City Council every six months thereafter. Adoption of the resolution will ensure compliance with state law and continue to support accessible and flexible public meetings.
Commission and Committee meetings, except for the Library Commission, will be conducted in a hybrid f ormat via Zoom. This teleconferencing framework also requires that at least one physical meeting location be available for the public to attend, observe, and participate in the meeting. At least a quorum of the eligible subsidiary body must be present for the meeting in-person at the physical meeting location.
Reasons for Recommendation and Available Options
The City Attorney’s Office prepared the attached draft Resolution (Attachment A) to satisfy this new State authorization process. The resolution would authorize the following eligible subsidiary bodies: Arts and Culture Commission, Audit Committee, Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, Economic Development Committee, Housing Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Public Safety Commissi on, Sustainability Commission, Technology, Information and Communications Commission, and Teen Commission, to use teleconferencing.
The attached draft resolution outlines the authorization that would allow those bodies to meet using teleconferencing while maintaining a physical meeting location for a quorum of the eligible subsidiary body and for public participation. If adopted, the authorization would take effect upon approval, subject to the City Council’s reconsider ation of the required findings every six months thereafter.
The full text of SB 707 can be found here:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707 Based on the findings outlined above, staff recommends adopting the draft resolution authorizing teleconferencing for the eligible subsidiary bodies, except for the Library Commission.
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact.
City Work Program (CWP) Item/Description
None.
Council Goal:
Public Engagement and Transparency California Environmental Quality Act No California Environmental Quality Act impact.
_____________________________________
Prepared by: Priyanka Shah, Special Counsel
Reviewed by: Lauren Sapudar, City Clerk
Floy Andrews, Interim City Attorney
Approved for Submission by: Tina Kapoor, City Manager
Attachments:
A – Draft Resolution