STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
March 10, 2026
BUSINESS
15 SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF (1) A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND
RESTATED CITY COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL,
INCLUDING ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION POLICY PER SB 707 AND A CITY
COUNCIL APPEALS POLICY, AND AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING ORGANIZATION POLICY, REMOTE ATTENDANCE POLICY, AND OTHER MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CHANGES; (2) SELECTING DATES FOR APPEALS DAYS FOR 2026; AND (3) FINDING SUCH ACTIONS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution, titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY
COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, AND FINDING SUCH ACTION
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061,” which in addition to formatting, correction of scrivener’s errors, and minor administrative revisions, includes:
a. Amendments to:
i. Policy 1.1, “City Council Meeting Order of Business”; ii. Policy 1.3, “Establishing Time and Location for Regular City Council Meetings; Remote Participation,” including specifying whether to utilize a two-way audio/visual or telephonic platform for remote participation at City Council meetings, effective July 1, 2026; and
iii. Policy 2.2, “Use of City Seal/Emblem.”
b.Adding Policy 1.7, “Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings” (SB 707); and
c. Adding Policy 1.8, “Processing and Consideration of Appeals to the City Council Pursuant to Title 25 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code.”
2. Provide direction regarding scheduling and dates for three (3) proposed Appeals Days for 2026;
3. Direct staff to return at the end of 2026 to evaluate the efficacy of the policies relating to meeting organization and remote meeting attendance; and
4. Finding such action not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), or alternatively, exempt from CEQA.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
Staff recommends adoption of amendments to the City Council Policy and Procedures Manual, including the addition of two new policies and several organizational and administrative updates.
CONSIDERATION OF (1) A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY
COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, INCLUDING ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION POLICY PER SB 707 AND A CITY COUNCIL APPEALS POLICY, AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ORGANIZATION POLICY, REMOTE ATTENDANCE POLICY, AND OTHER MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CHANGES; (2) SELECTING DATES FOR APPEALS DAYS FOR 2026; AND (3) FINDING SUCH ACTIONS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
March 10, 2026
The primary purpose of these revisions is to comply with Senate Bill 707 (“SB 707”), which requires certain city councils—including the City Council for the City of Laguna Beach—to provide two-way remote public participation at City Council meetings and to adopt a policy addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet service used for that participation (“Disruption Policy”). The proposed Disruption Policy establishes procedures for responding to technology outages during City Council meetings. In accordance with SB 707, remote participation and the Disruption Policy must take effect on July 1, 2026.
In further consideration of the potential for disruptions (such as “Zoom bombings”) that are not addressed as part of the Disruption Policy, additional City Council policy revisions are proposed to mitigate the risk of such disruption while ensuring continued public participation, efficiencies, and productivity of completing business at City Council meetings. These recommendations include proposed changes to the City’s existing policies regarding City Council Meeting Order of Business (Policy 1.1) and Establishing Time and Location for Regular Council Meetings, to now include remote participation (Policy 1.3). Further, a proposed Appeals Policy creates a structured process for scheduling appeals to the City Council through special City Council meetings dedicated to appeals (“Appeals Days”); the Appeals Policy also proposes additional procedures and protocol for the processing and hearing of appeals.
Additional proposed revisions to existing policies are intended to clarify meeting procedures, improve organization of the agenda and public comment process, correct minor errors, create consistent formatting, and correct scrivener’s errors.
DISCUSSION
The primary impetus for the proposed amendments to the City Council Policy and Procedures Manual is the enactment of SB 707, which was signed into law last fall (2025). SB 707 resulted in significant amendments the Ralph M. Brown Act, intending to diversify and increase public engagement in local government, and to modernize the Brown Act in the face of technological advancements.
In short, as applicable to the City, SB 707 mandates changes relating to “eligible legislative bodies” by requiring two-way remote attendance and disruption proceedings at their meetings (as described more below) and requiring certain outreach efforts. The bill also made generally applicable amendments (that is, for all legislative bodies), including most notably relating to updated teleconference requirements, extending previously adopted social media rules, and special and emergency meeting requirements. The City Clerk’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office have been evaluating the City’s various Brown Act processes in light of these new Brown Act requirements.
With respect to the outreach requirements, the City must make reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings, such as civil-rights, civicengagement, neighborhood, and community-based organizations, particularly those active in or serving CONSIDERATION OF (1) A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY
COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, INCLUDING ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION POLICY PER SB 707 AND A CITY COUNCIL APPEALS POLICY, AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ORGANIZATION POLICY, REMOTE ATTENDANCE POLICY, AND OTHER MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CHANGES; (2) SELECTING DATES FOR APPEALS DAYS FOR 2026; AND (3) FINDING SUCH ACTIONS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
March 10, 2026
multilingual or historically marginalized communities. The City Clerk will document the various methods of outreach the City employs to illustrate compliance.
Most significantly for purposes of this agenda item, SB 707 requires “eligible legislative bodies”—which is expressly defined to include certain city councils based on population size of the city or the County in which the city is located—to provide a two-way telephonic or audiovisual platform for remote public participation in meetings beginning July 1, 2026, unless certain limited exceptions apply. Notably, no other Board, Commission, or Committee in the City qualifies as an “eligible legislative body.” The legislation further requires eligible legislative bodies to adopt a written policy describing how the body will respond if the technology used for remote participation experiences a disruption.
Disruption Policy Required by SB 707 (Proposed Policy 1.7) To comply with SB 707, the proposed Policy 1.7, Policy for Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings (see Exhibit A to Attachment 1), establishes procedures for responding to interruptions in the remote participation platform used during City Council meetings. The policy defines a “disruption” as a failure or interruption in the remote access services that prevents members of the public from attending or observing the meeting remotely.
Under the proposed policy, if a disruption occurs, the Mayor or City Clerk must announce the disruption and the meeting will generally recess while staff attempt to restore service. The policy provides for a recess of at least one hour while City staff troubleshoot the issue and attempt to restore remote access. During this period, staff may take steps such as resetting equipment, troubleshooting the platform, contacting service providers, or switching to backup systems if available.
If service is restored during the recess period, the meeting may resume as normal. If the disruption cannot be resolved within one hour, the City Council may either adjourn the meeting or continue the meeting after making a legislative finding that the City has made good-faith efforts to restore the service and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the interest in maintaining remote access. The policy also requires documentation of the disruption and restoration efforts in the meeting minutes.
Proposed Policy 1.7 is intended to ensure compliance with SB 707 while maintaining transparency and continuity of government operations during technology outages.
Related to Changes to the City Council Policy “Establishing Time and Location for Regular Meetings” to Include Remote Participation (Effective July 1, 2026) (Policy 1.3) Policy 1.3 (previously entitled, “Establishing Time and Location for Regular City Council Meetings”) has been updated to reflect SB 707’s requirements that City Council meetings provide a two-way telephonic or audiovisual option for public participation beginning July 1, 2026, subject to the technology being available CONSIDERATION OF (1) A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY
COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, INCLUDING ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION POLICY PER SB 707 AND A CITY COUNCIL APPEALS POLICY, AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ORGANIZATION POLICY, REMOTE ATTENDANCE POLICY, AND OTHER MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CHANGES; (2) SELECTING DATES FOR APPEALS DAYS FOR 2026; AND (3) FINDING SUCH ACTIONS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
March 10, 2026
and that the meeting does not qualify for a statutory exemption. For example, a two-way remote option is not required in the event a City Council meeting is held at a site visit or as part of a field trip.
Policy 1.3 is proposed to be renamed, “Establishing Time and Location for Regular City Council Meetings; Remote Participation,” and clarifies that remote participation will be offered through an approved two-way audio/visual or telephonic platform, subject to the requirements of the Brown Act and other applicable laws (see Exhibit A to Attachment 1).
Currently, however, the policy does not set forth whether remote participation will be allowed via a twoway audio-visual platform (such as Zoom or similar service provider) or through telephonic means. For purposes of mitigating the consequences of a “Zoom bombing,” each option may have pros and cons. For example, using a telephonic platform may limit the risk of a Zoom bombing displaying graphic images.
However, using an audio/visual platform and requiring all cameras to remain on, for example, may limit the risk of anonymous speakers engaging in hate speech. Staff seeks Council’s direction on this policy consideration, including whether the City Council would like to include additional parameters on the use of either platform.
Related Changes to Meeting Organization
The requirement under SB 707 to provide remote participation introduces the potential for technological disruptions or other issues associated with hybrid meetings, including the possibility of disruptions caused by remote participants (e.g., Zoom bombings) or technical outages. As a result, staff evaluated the City Council Policy and Procedures Manual more broadly to ensure that City Council meetings remain efficient, and organized, and to mitigate the risk of disruptions.
Several amendments, as well as an additional policy, are therefore proposed to the existing meeting policies to better organize meeting proceedings and clarify procedures for public participation. Key proposed amendments include:
Clarification of Meeting Structure and Agenda Order (Policy 1.1). Policy 1.1 (City Council Meeting Order of Business) has been moderately revised to clarify the structure and sequencing of agenda items and to better organize public comment opportunities. The revised order of business distinguishes between public comment provided in person and public comment provided through remote participation platforms. This structure allows the meeting to proceed in an orderly manner even when large numbers of participants attend remotely and to have a better chance of reaching its necessary business items in the event of a Zoom bombing.
Policy 1.1 also includes a new provision directing staff to endeavor to provide estimated time allocations for agenda items, referred to as an “Estimated Timed Agenda.” These estimates are intended solely to assist CONSIDERATION OF (1) A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY
COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, INCLUDING ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION POLICY PER SB 707 AND A CITY COUNCIL APPEALS POLICY, AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ORGANIZATION POLICY, REMOTE ATTENDANCE POLICY, AND OTHER MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CHANGES; (2) SELECTING DATES FOR APPEALS DAYS FOR 2026; AND (3) FINDING SUCH ACTIONS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
March 10, 2026
the City Council, staff, and the public in planning their participation in meetings and are not binding on the conduct of the meeting.
Proposed Policy for Appeals to the City Council (Policy 1.8). Staff is also recommending the adoption of a new Policy 1.8, “Policy and Procedures for Appeals to the City Council,” which establishes a consistent framework for scheduling and processing appeals made pursuant to Title 25 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code. (See Exhibit A to Attachment 1). Currently, appeals are scheduled within regular City Council meetings, often alongside other legislative business. The proposed policy is intended to improve efficiency and ensure that the City Council can focus on appeals in its quasi-judicial capacity. The proposed policy includes the following key provisions:
1. Establishment of “Appeals Days.” The City Council would designate one special meeting each quarter dedicated to hearing Community Development entitlement appeals. These meetings would begin at 1:00 p.m. and would allow the Council to focus exclusively on appeal matters. No more than three appeals would be scheduled on a single Appeals Day to ensure adequate time for consideration of each matter.
This early start time helps ensure that – across three full appeals hearings on each day – all parties (appellants, applicants, and staff) get the best circumstances for a fair debate and thorough consideration as to their positions, versus having the last appeal start at 9 or 10:00 p.m. or later, as participants and Council are possibly worn down by a long workday.
We welcome Council’s and the community’s deliberation as to the start time – with Zoom, more people with traditional M-F 8-5 work schedules could attend Appeals Days remotely, so the 1:00 p.m. start may be OK in terms of protecting access. Further, staff could schedule appeals in a specific order, noting appellants’ and applicants’ in-person availability early or later on the specific Appeals Day.
On this item, staff is proposing Appeals Days would normally be scheduled each year when the City Council adopts its annual meeting agenda, to give advanced notice to the City Council, staff, and the public. Given the timing of the proposed adoption, however, of this policy, staff is also requesting the City Council set the appeals days for the remainder of the calendar year.
Staff proposes the following Appeals Days for 2026: May 13, August 6, and November 5.
2. Restrictions on Continuances. To provide certainty and promote timely due process, the policy generally eliminates continuances, as requested by parties to an appeal, except in CONSIDERATION OF (1) A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY
COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, INCLUDING ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION POLICY PER SB 707 AND A CITY COUNCIL APPEALS POLICY, AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ORGANIZATION POLICY, REMOTE ATTENDANCE POLICY, AND OTHER MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CHANGES; (2) SELECTING DATES FOR APPEALS DAYS FOR 2026; AND (3) FINDING SUCH ACTIONS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
March 10, 2026
exceptional circumstances determined by the Community Development Director. Given the sparse timing of Appeals Days, staff also will seek to avoid administrative continuances.
3. Evidence Submission Deadlines. The policy establishes deadlines for (a) the posting of staff reports and (b) submission of documentary evidence so that the City Council has sufficient time to review materials before hearing an appeal.
4. Cost Recovery and Fee Refund Authority. The policy proposes for staff to annually evaluate as part of the budget process the appeal fee for cost recovery. While this will result in a potential increase in the fee amount, the policy provides that the City Council may refund appeal fees in cases where it finds that a lower decision-making body abused its discretion.
Collectively, these revisions are intended to help maintain efficient meeting management while accommodating both in-person and remote public participation, and for the appeals policy, to further promote fairness, predictability, and efficiency in the processing of appeals. However, because these processes are new to the City, staff anticipates there may be a need for an iterative process to fine tune these policy adjustments with the move to remote meeting participation. Staff recommends that the City Council reevaluate the efficiency and efficacy of these policy changes approximately six months after their effectiveness (November/December 2026).
Additional Cleanup and Administrative Updates
In addition to the proposed adoption of the Disruption Policy and Appeals Policy, and the more substantive changes to Policies 1.1 and 1.3, described above, there are additional proposed minor administrative and organizational amendments included in the amended and restated City Council Policy and Procedures Manual. These changes are largely technical in nature and are intended to improve clarity, consistency, and practical implementation of the policies. Examples include:
• Minor updates to language and formatting throughout the manual. • Clarifying the use of the City seal and emblem for official City business. • Updating cross-references and policy numbering for consistency. • Complete compilation of the Manual (various City Council policies had been adopted outside the Policy and Procedures Manual).
These revisions (as well as the proposed revisions to Policies 1.1 and 1.3) are reflected in the redlined version of the Policies and Procedures Manual included with the staff report. (See Attachment 2).
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
CONSIDERATION OF (1) A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY
COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, INCLUDING ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION POLICY PER SB 707 AND A CITY COUNCIL APPEALS POLICY, AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ORGANIZATION POLICY, REMOTE ATTENDANCE POLICY, AND OTHER MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CHANGES; (2) SELECTING DATES FOR APPEALS DAYS FOR 2026; AND (3) FINDING SUCH ACTIONS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
March 10, 2026
Adoption of the amended and restated City Council Policy and Procedures Manual is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the City. The proposed changes primarily clarify and organize existing policies governing City Council meetings and administrative procedures.
However, implementation of the Disruption Policy required by SB 707 will have some associated fiscal due to the potential for licensure of additional technology and staffing resources. However, as this is a required action by SB 707, it is effectively an unfunded mandate for which the City has no choice but to comply. At this time, any costs associated with maintaining remote participation technology are expected to be studied and further refined in as we ask the Council to adopt the FY 26-27 budget. For now, no additional appropriations are required as part of the adoption of these policies.
On the other hand, the proposed Appeals Policy may result in modest administrative efficiencies by establishing designated quarterly “Appeals Day” meetings and clearer deadlines for evidence submission and creates the potential for cost recovery. The proposed Appeals procedures are intended to improve scheduling predictability, reduce staff time associated with coordinating appeals hearings and continuances, and improve cost recovery related to appeals processing.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to the State CEQA Guidelines, as the action not a “project” and has no potential to result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment. (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15378(a).) A “project” specifically does not include continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as general policy and procedure making. (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15378(b)(2).) Alternatively, the proposed actions are exempt from CEQA, as there is no possibility that such action would have a significant negative effect on the environment. (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15061(b)(3).) Rather, the proposed actions are administrative in nature and merely set forth policies and procedures for the conduct of the City Council’s meetings, proceedings, business, and administration.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution Adopting an Amended and Restated City Council Policy and Procedures Manual (Pgs. 8-12) Proposed Exhibit A (to the Resolution), draft Amended and Restated City Council Policy and Procedures Manual (Pgs. 13-52); including new draft Policy 1.7 re Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings (SB 707) (Pgs. 53-55); and new draft Policy 1.8 re Processing and Consideration of Appeals to the City Council (Pgs. 56-57)
2. Redline reflecting Proposed Changes to CC Policy and Procedures Manual (for reference purposes only) (Pgs. 58-97)
CONSIDERATION OF (1) A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY
COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, INCLUDING ADOPTION OF A DISRUPTION POLICY PER SB 707 AND A CITY COUNCIL APPEALS POLICY, AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ORGANIZATION POLICY, REMOTE ATTENDANCE POLICY, AND OTHER MINOR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY CHANGES; (2) SELECTING DATES FOR APPEALS DAYS FOR 2026; AND (3) FINDING SUCH ACTIONS
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
March 10, 2026
Submitted By: Megan Garibaldi Approved: .David A Kiff
Megan Garibaldi, City Attorney Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Megan Garibaldi, City Attorney Jane Abzug, Assistant City Attorney Patrick Donegan, Assistant City Attorney
Matthew Schneider, Director of Community
Development
Anthony Viera, Deputy Director of Community
Development
Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk