Agenda Item No: K.5
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: July 7, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2026-119 CM Internet Service and Telephonic Service Disruption Policy
Adopting the “Internet Service and Telephonic Service Disruption Policy ” for City Council Meetings
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: David Lim, (415) 421-8484
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), effective January 1, 2026, which modernizes the Ralph M. Brown Act by requiring eligible legislative bodies, including the City of Fairfield City Council, to provide hybrid public meeting access beginning July 1, 2026.
To comply with SB 707, the council must adopt a formal Internet Service and Telephonic Service Disruption Policy that establishes procedures when internet or telephonic service failures prevent remote public participation during a council meeting. This policy must be adopted in open session and cannot be placed on the consent calendar.
Council action is required to ensure the City remains in compliance with the Brown Act’s updated hybrid meeting requirements by the statutory deadline.
DISCUSSION
SB 707 modernizes the Ralph M. Brown Act by requiring eligible legislative bodies, including the City of Fairfield City Council, to offer two -way remote public participation at all open meetings beginning July 1, 2026. To comply with SB 707, the Council must adopt a policy outlining how disruptions to internet or telephonic services will be handled when they prevent the hybrid meeting platform from functioning.
The proposed policy establishes roles for the responsible person and the city clerk, who oversee meeting operations and virtual public comment. If a disruption occurs, staff must immediately inform the mayor, and the council must recess f or up to one hour while good faith efforts are made to restore connectivity. Procedures for troubleshooting and documenting the disruption are clearly defined.
If service is restored, the meeting resumes with full hybrid access. If service cannot be rest ored, the Council may continue the meeting only after making required findings that (1) good faith restoration efforts were made and (2) the public interest in proceeding outweighs the temporary loss of remote participation. The policy also identifies meet ing types exempt from hybrid requirements and allows for closed session convening during a recess when posted on the agenda.
Adopting the policy ensures the City meets the July 1, 2026 , compliance deadline and maintains transparency and accessibility in accordance with state law.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
No additional outreach was required, as the proposed policy is mandated by SB 707 and must be adopted directly by the council. There is no advisory body recommend ation for this item. The proposed Internet Service and Telephonic Service Disruption Policy have not been reviewed by a board or commission and is presented directly to the City Council for required approval under SB 707.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may decline to adopt the Internet Service and Telephonic Service Disruption Policy.
However, this alternative is not recommended, as SB 707 requires eligible legislative bodies to adopt such a policy prior to July 1, 2026, to maintain compliance with the Bro wn Act’s hybrid meeting requirements. Failure to adopt a policy would place the City at risk of non -compliance with state law.
COORDINATED WITH
City Clerk’s Office and Information Technology Department
STAFF CONTACT
Bill Way, Communications Manager - PIO
(707) 428-7611
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Internet Service and Telephonic Service Disruption Policy Attachment 4: Certification of the Resolution