(2) Emergency circumstances. Remote participation due to emergency circumstances shall comply with applicable statutory requirements, including required findings and disclosures.
(3) Disability accommodation. A Councilmember with a qualifying disability may participate remotely as a reasonable accommodation consistent with state and federal law. Participation may occur via audio only if the disability prevents on-camera participation. Once granted, such remote participation shall count toward quorum at the in-person meeting location. Required disclosures regarding adults present at the remote location shall be made as required by law.
V. Translation and public access.
(1) If twenty percent (20%) or more of the City’s population speaks a single non-English language and speaks English less than “very well,” based on the most recent American Community Survey data, City Council meeting agendas (but not full agenda packets) shall be translated into that language and made accessible on the City’s website pursuant to Government Code section 54953.4(b). (2) When the applicable population threshold is met, the City shall provide translated versions of required public meeting information on a prominently linked webpage accessible from the City’s homepage, pursuant to Government Code section 54953.4(b), including:
(i) A general explanation of the public meeting process; (ii) Instructions for providing in-person or remote public comment;
(iii) A calendar of public meeting dates with date, time, and location; and
(iv) Posted meeting agendas.
(3) The City shall reasonably assist members of the public who wish to provide interpretation or translate public meetings. Assistance may include arranging space for interpreters, allowing additional time for interpretation, or permitting the use of personal equipment or commercially available interpretation services. The City shall publicize clear instructions for requesting such assistance in advance of or during meetings.
(4) The City shall also provide a freely accessible physical location near where the agendas are posted to allow the public to post additional translations of the agenda in that location pursuant to Government Code section 54953.4(c)(3).
(4) The City may use digital translation services, such as Google Translate or similar automated tools, to satisfy the translation requirements for agendas and the public meetings webpage, provided the other requirements of Government Code section 54953.4 are met. The City is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any translation provided by such tools, in accordance with Government Code section 54953.4(b)(2). The City may include a disclaimer noting that translations are automatically generated and may not be exact. The City shall make reasonable efforts to ensure translations are understandable to the public and may provide additional clarification upon request.
VI. Outreach efforts.
The City shall make reasonable, good-faith efforts to invite organizations that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend City Council meetings. The City retains discretion in determining what constitutes reasonable effort consistent with applicable law. Outreach efforts may include media organizations serving non-English-speaking communities and community groups that historically have lower participation in public meetings.
VII. Teleconferencing authorization for eligible subsidiary bodies.
Pursuant to Government Code section 54953.8.6, eligible subsidiary bodies of the City may be authorized by the City Council to use teleconferencing consistent with applicable law. This policy shall only apply to advisory commissions if authorized for use by the City Council.
Members participating remotely shall maintain real-time, two-way communication for the duration of the meeting unless participating remotely due to a qualifying disability. The City Council shall adopt resolutions authorizing such teleconferencing and, if so adopted, may reauthorize teleconferencing for eligible subsidiary bodies every six (6) months by majority vote confirming that such practice serves the public interest.
VIII. Social media use.
Councilmembers may participate in individual communications on internet-based social media platforms for specified purposes, provided that a majority of Councilmembers do not use the platform to discuss or deliberate on matters within the City’s subject matter jurisdiction. This exception is now permanent pursuant to SB 707 and consistent with Government Code section 54952.2(b).
IX. Brown Act copies.
The City Clerk shall provide a copy of the Brown Act to each Councilmember as required by Government Code section 54952.7.
X. Oral reporting of compensation decisions.
Prior to final action on compensation for the City Manager, any department head, or other comparable administrative officer, the City Council shall orally report, during the open meeting at which the final action is to be taken, a summary of any recommendation for final action, consistent with SB 707.