CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item #C2
DATE: May 27, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Ernesto Marquez, City Manager
BY: Pablo Rubio, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 007-2026, adopting a new City Council policy addressing a disruption of telephonic or internet service during City Council meetings.
SUMMARY
Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) amended the Ralph M. Brown Act (Gov. Code §§ 54950 et seq.) among other open meeting requirements, to update teleconferencing and accessibility requirements, including provisions related to remote participation in public meetings.
SB 707 applies to all legislative bodies as defined by the Brown Act, but certain special provisions apply only to what is now defined in the Brown Act as “eligible legislative bodies.” The Hawaiian Gardens City Council (but not other boards, commissions, or committees of the City) qualifies as an “eligible legislative body” because the City Council governs a city located in Los Angeles County, a County with a population of more than 600,000 people. (See, Gov. Code 54953.4(e)(2)(C)(defining “eligible legislative body” to include a city council of a city located in a county with a population of 600,000 or more).
Among other requirements, starting July 1, 2026, SB 707 requires that the City provide a “two-way audiovisual platform” or “two-way telephonic service” to allow members of the public to participate in its City Council meetings remotely. The City currently provides a two-way audio visual platform. The City conducts, and will continue to conduct City Council meetings in a hybrid format via Zoom.
In addition, SB 707 requires that the City, on or before July 1, 2026, adopt a policy addressing procedures for recessing and reconvening a meeting in the event of a technology disruption, and the efforts the legislative body will make to attempt to restore service. Such a policy must be adopted by a separate majority vote (i.e. not on the consent calendar) of the eligible legislative body in an open session.
Agenda Item #C2
May 27, 2026
The proposed City Council policy addressing disruption of telephonic or internet service during City Council meetings has been prepared in accordance with Government Code § 54953.4 and is attached as Exhibit A to Resolution No. 007-2026. This policy outlines procedures for temporarily recessing meetings, restoring connectivity, notifying participants, and reconvening meetings.
As described in the policy, if service cannot be restored after at least one hour, the City Council, could choose to: (1) by roll call vote, make a finding that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access; (2) adjourn the meeting; or (3) extend the recess to allow staff more time to make a good-faith effort to restore remote access services. These requirements do not apply to certain specified types of meetings, including meetings held offsite or for inspection purposes, or in emergency situations. The attached policy lists those exemptions.
The adoption of a technology disruption policy is required to ensure compliance with SB 707 and to promote transparency and continuity of public meetings.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve Recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS
A – Resolution No. 007-2026 – SB 707 Disruption Policy