Agenda Item No: J.3
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: July 7, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2026 -149 CM Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Remote Participation at Meetings Subject to the Brown Act
Adopting the Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Public Participation at Meetings Subject to the Brown Act and the Legislative Body Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Remote Participation at Meetings Subject to the Brown Act
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: David Lim, (415) 421-8484
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The purpose of this resolution is to adopt this reasonable accommodation policy for public participation is to ensure compliance with the Brown Act and codify the procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving reasonable accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities.
DISCUSSION
On October 3, 2025, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), which amends the Brown Act with the intent to diversify and increase public engagement during local government meetings of legislative bodies. Among the various new requirements of SB 7 07, all qualified legislative bodies must provide two -way remote public access to meetings (through a two-way phone or video platform).
SB 707 updates Section 54953 of the Brown Act to allow members of legislative bodies with disabilities to participate in meetings remotely as a reasonable accommodation. (See Government Code Section 54953(c)). If such an accommodation is granted under this new provision, remote participation due to a disability will be treated as in-person attendance at the physical meeting location for all purposes, including for the purpose of reaching a quorum. The
traditional teleconference requirements of posting the address of the teleconference location and allowing public participation from the teleconference location do not apply if the member of the legislative body has a disability for which remote participation is allowed.
The purpose of the Legislative Body Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Remote Participation is to ensure compliance with the Brown Act and to provide a written procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving reasonable accommodation requests for members of the City of Fairfield legislative bodies, consistent with the Brown Act and federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132). This policy will enable participation in legislative body meetings through remote participation for a qualifying individual whose disability precludes their in-person attendance at a meeting of their legislative body.
Additionally, Government Code Section 54953.8, subdivision (b), requires that all public agencies have and implement a written procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving reasonable accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities, consistent with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and resolving any doubt in favor of accessibility. Requests may be made by any individual that participates or conducts the meeting, such as members of the public, staff, and members of the legislative body. Consequent ly, staff is proposing a formal Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Public Participation at Meetings Subject to the Brown Act. The City currently handles reasonable accommodation requests through a notice on the City’s agendas. This policy intends to pro vide more information to members of the public seeking a reasonable accommodation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may decline to adopt the Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Public Participation at Meetings Subject to the Brown Act and the Legislative Body Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Remote Participation at Meetings Subject to the Brown Act.
COORDINATED WITH
City Attorney’s Office
STAFF CONTACT
David Lim, City Attorney
(415) 421-8484
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Public Participation at Meetings Subject to the Brown Act
Attachment 4: Legislative Body Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Remote Participation at Meetings Subject to the Brown Act