STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 10
6/9/2026
TN
Date:June 9, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From:Andrea Alexander, City Clerk
Subject:Approval of Resolutions to Comply with SB 707
Recommendations:
1. Approve Resolution No. _________, a resolution of the City Council of Lancaster adopting a policy addressing disruption of telephonic or internet service during public meetings.
2. Approve Resolution No. _________, a resolution of the City Council of Lancaster determining reasonable efforts to encourage public participation in meetings pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.4.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
None.
Background:
The Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act) establishes requirements for open and public meetings of local legislative bodies. In 2025 the Brown Act was amended via Senate Bill 707 to include additional requirements to encourage more public participation at meetings. Senate Bill 707 requires that the City Council determine and make reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings. The bill requires beginning July 1, 2026, and until January 1, 2030, an eligible legislative body, as defined to comply with additional meeting requirements.
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One requirement of Senate Bill 707 is that local governments outline the definition of such reasonable efforts which may include reaching non-English speaking communities and efforts to make meetings more accessible. One way that a legislative body is more accessible is through two- way telephonic service or two-way audiovisual platform. Governing bodies are required to provide telephonic conferencing to allow for more public participation in meetings. Along with enacting teleconferencing, the City must also provide a plan or policy in the event there are disruptions during the meeting. The policy should address disruption of telephonic or internet service.
Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C) provides legislative bodies with broad discretion in determining appropriate reasonable efforts and clarifies that no action shall arise from failing to provide notice to any specific group. The City is committed to promoting transparency, accessibility, and broad public participation in its public meetings and as such has obtained software that enables two-way telephonic service. However, further steps are needed to define reasonable efforts and provide for a policy that addresses service disruptions. Senate Bill 707 requires such polices are adopted. For these reasons, staff recommends that Council adopt resolutions addressing policy disruptions and define reasonable efforts.
Attachments:
Resolution Regarding Disruption Policy
Resolution Regarding Definition of Reasonable Efforts