ITEM NO. 24.
PREPARED BY: Wendy Wood
Town Clerk
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Administrative Services Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 06/16/2026
ITEM NO: 25
DATE: June 16, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Chris Constantin, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Approve a Remote Public Access Disruption Policy and an Amendment to Agenda Format and Rules Policy 2-01; and Adopt a Resolution Determining What Constitutes Reasonable Efforts to Encourage Public Participation in Meetings
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a Remote Public Access Disruption Policy; approve an amendment to the Agenda Format and Rules Policy 2-01; and adopt a resolution establishing what constitutes reasonable efforts to encourage public participation in meetings.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the Remote Public Access Disruption Policy, the Resolution establishing reasonable efforts to encourage public participation in meetings, or amendments to the Town Council Agenda Policy. These actions can be implemented using existing staff resources and communication tools.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This item is not associated with a specific strategic priority; however, it aligns with the Town’s core goal of good governance.
BACKGROUND:
Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 707 into law, amending the Ralph M.
Brown Act to expand public access and participation in local government meetings. Among other requirements, SB 707 requires qualified legislative bodies to provide hybrid public
ITEM NO. 25.
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: Approve Remote Public Access Disruption Policy, Amendment to Agenda Format and Rules Policy 2-01, and Adopt a Resolution Determining Reasonable Efforts to Encourage Public Participation in Meetings
DATE: June 16, 2026
meetings through a two-way telephone or video platform and to adopt policies addressing disruptions to remote public access during public meetings. The Town of Los Gatos already conducts Town Council meetings in a hybrid format using Zoom and will continue to comply with those requirements.
In addition, Senate Bill 707 requires eligible legislative bodies to adopt, by July 1, 2026, a policy addressing how the agency will respond to disruptions in telephonic or internet service that could prevent members of the public from remotely observing or participating in a Council meeting. The legislation also requires legislative bodies to determine and make reasonable efforts to encourage participation by individuals and groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings, including non-English-speaking communities.
DISCUSSION:
To implement the requirements of SB 707, staff is bringing forward a proposed Remote Public Access Disruption Policy, a Resolution establishing reasonable efforts to encourage public participation in meetings, and amendments to the Town Council Agenda Policy.
On May 26, 2026, the Policy Committee reviewed a draft Policy for Technological Disruption of Remote Public Access During Town Council Meetings. The draft policy was developed to implement the requirements of Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) and Government Code section 54953.4 related to disruptions in telephonic or internet services that prevent members of the public from remotely observing or participating in Town Council meetings. The proposed policy outlines procedures for announcing a disruption, recessing and reconvening meetings, documenting restoration efforts, and making good faith attempts to restore remote access services.
These procedures are intended to comply with Government Code section 54953.4. That section also establishes a one-hour threshold, providing that if remote access services cannot be restored within one hour, the legislative body may either adjourn the meeting or continue the meeting upon making the findings required under the Brown Act. However, the draft policy provides operational flexibility for circumstances such as late-night disruptions, facility-wide power outages, or other emergency conditions that may make continuation of the meeting impracticable. In addition, the policy also requires that disruption and restoration efforts be documented in the meeting minutes.
The Policy Committee recommended that the Council approve the draft disruption policy and requested that language be incorporated to clarify whether a meeting may continue if a Councilmember experiences a disruption of service or is otherwise unable to participate from their designated teleconference location. The draft policy has been revised accordingly to reflect that a meeting may continue under certain circumstances.
ITEM NO. 25.
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: Approve Remote Public Access Disruption Policy, Amendment to Agenda Format and Rules Policy 2-01, and Adopt a Resolution Determining Reasonable Efforts to Encourage Public Participation in Meetings
DATE: June 16, 2026
In conjunction with this discussion, the Policy Committee recommended amending the Town Council Agenda Format and Rules Policy to change the Council meeting end time from midnight to 11:00 p.m. This change is intended to align with proposed provisions in the Remote Public Access Disruption Policy addressing late-evening disruptions.
Under the new legislation, if a remote access disruption occurs, the Council may be required to recess for up to one hour before continuing the meeting. The draft policy and proposed Council Agenda Format and Rules Policy are intended to avoid requiring members of the public and staff to remain in attendance until midnight or later solely to accommodate such a recess period.
Accordingly, the proposed Remote Public Access Disruption Policy includes provisions allowing the Council to adjourn rather than recess if a disruption occurs after 11:00 p.m., upon a determination by the Presiding Officer that continuation would be impracticable or inconsistent with meeting procedures. The earlier meeting end time in the Agenda Format and Rules Policy is intended to support implementation of these provisions.
Separately, Senate Bill 707 requires legislative bodies to determine and make reasonable efforts to encourage participation in public meetings by individuals and groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings, including non-English-speaking communities. To satisfy this requirement, staff is recommending the adoption of the accompanying Resolution establishing a framework of reasonable outreach efforts. The resolution identifies existing and potential outreach methods, including media outreach, electronic agenda access and subscription services, multilingual communications, community and organizational outreach, and use of the Town's existing communication channels to increase awareness of meetings and opportunities for public participation.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council adopt the Resolution establishing reasonable efforts to encourage public participation in meetings, approve the Remote Public Access Disruption Policy, and approve amendments to the Town Council Agenda Policy. These actions will ensure compliance with Senate Bill 707 and Government Code section 54953.4 and will support continued transparency, accessibility, and effective public participation in Town Council meetings.
COORDINATION:
This report was prepared in coordination with the Town Attorney and the Town Manager’s Office.
ITEM NO. 25.
PAGE 4 OF 4
SUBJECT: Approve Remote Public Access Disruption Policy, Amendment to Agenda Format and Rules Policy 2-01, and Adopt a Resolution Determining Reasonable Efforts to Encourage Public Participation in Meetings
DATE: June 16, 2026
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Draft Policy Remote Public Access Disruption Policy
2. Redline Agenda Format and Rules Policy 2-01
3. Draft Resolution
ITEM NO. 25.
ATTACHMENT 1
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
TITLE: Technological Disruption of Remote Public
Access During Council Meetings
POLICY NUMBER:
EFFECTIVE DATE: PAGES: 3
ENABLING ACTIONS: REVISED DATES:
APPROVED:
PURPOSE
This policy establishes procedures for responding to disruptions in telephonic or internet services that provide two-way remote public access to meetings of the Los Gatos Town Council, as required by the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code section 54953.4).
The purpose of this policy is to ensure transparency, public participation, and continuity of government operations during technology disruptions affecting remote meeting access.
SCOPE
This policy applies solely to meetings of the Los Gatos Town Council. This policy does not apply to Town boards, commissions, committees, or other advisory bodies unless separately adopted by those bodies.
This policy applies only to disruptions affecting two-way remote public access services, including telephonic and audiovisual meeting platforms that permit the public to observe and participate remotely in real time.
This policy does not apply to one-way television broadcasts or one-way internet livestreams. A meeting may continue if one-way services are disrupted, provided that the required two-way remote public access remains functional.
For purposes of this policy, disruptions refer to interruptions affecting remote public access services as defined in this policy and does not include isolated technical issues affecting individual Councilmembers’ remote participation connections where public access remains functional. In the event that a Councilmember is participating remotely pursuant to applicable Brown Act teleconferencing provisions and loses the video and/or audio connection or is otherwise unable to participate from their designated teleconference location, the meeting may continue so long as the remote access services remain available and functional for any member of the public participating from the remote location.
Small Town Service Community Stewardship Future Focus
ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Remote Public Access Disruption Policy PAGE:
2 of 3
POLICY NUMBER:
DEFINITIONS
Disruption - a failure, outage, interruption, or degradation of telephonic or internet service that prevents members of the public from attending, observing, or participating in a meeting through the Town’s two-way remote access platform, or otherwise materially impairs the functionality of the Town’s remote meeting technology.
Remote Access Services - the two-way telephonic service and/or two-way audiovisual platform used to provide real-time remote public access to Town Council meetings.
POLICY
Procedures in the Event of a Service Disruption
If the Mayor, Presiding Officer, or Town Clerk becomes aware of a disruption to remote access services the following shall occur:
1. The disruption shall be announced publicly as soon as practicable.
2. The Presiding Officer shall call for a recess of the open session.
3. Staff shall immediately begin efforts to diagnose and restore the disrupted service.
4. The meeting shall remain in recess for at least one hour or until service is restored, whichever occurs sooner.
A disruption in remote access services does not preclude the Town Council from convening or continuing a closed session that has been properly noticed and announced in accordance with the Brown Act.
Efforts to Restore Service
Town staff shall make good faith efforts to restore remote access services, which may include, but are not limited to:
Troubleshooting teleconferencing or meeting platform software; Resetting or replacing audiovisual equipment;
Attempting alternative internet or telephone connection methods; Contacting information technology staff, contractors, or service providers; Switching to backup equipment or alternative meeting platforms, if available.
The Town Clerk shall document the restoration efforts undertaken.
If a disruption occurs after 11:00 p.m., the Town Council may adjourn the meeting rather than recess for one hour if the Presiding Officer determines that continuation of the meeting would be impracticable or inconsistent with the Town Council’s meeting procedures.
In the event of a facility-wide power outage or other emergency condition that prevents the meeting from safely continuing in person or remotely, the Presiding Officer may adjourn the meeting in accordance with the Brown Act and applicable Town policies.
ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Remote Public Access Disruption Policy PAGE:
3 of 3
POLICY NUMBER:
Reconvening the Open Session
The open session may be reconvened after at least one hour has elapsed from the time of the disruption or as soon as service is restored, whichever occurs earlier.
1. If remote access services are restored before or at the time the meeting reconvenes, the meeting shall continue as normal.
2. If remote access services have not been restored after one hour, the Town Council may:
a. Adjourn the meeting; or
b. Continue the meeting in open session by adopting, by roll call vote, the following finding or a substantially similar finding:
“The Town of Los Gatos has made good faith efforts to restore telephonic or internet service in accordance with its adopted policy, and the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access.”
In making this finding, the Town Council should consider continuing agenda items that are not time sensitive. Upon adoption of the finding, the Town Council may continue the open session despite the disruption of remote access services.
Recordkeeping
The Town Clerk shall enter a summary of the disruption into the meeting minutes, including:
1. The nature and start time of the disruption;
2. The restoration efforts undertaken;
3. The time the meeting was reconvened, if applicable; and
4. Any finding adopted.
Review and Amendments
This policy may be amended by the Town Council at a duly noticed public meeting conducted in open session.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney
ITEM NO. 25.
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
TITLE: Town Agenda Format and Rules POLICY NUMBER: 2-01 EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/15/1986 PAGES: 7
ENABLING ACTIONS: 1986-183; 1987-
024; 1988-124; 1993-181; 1994-057;
1996-108; 2001-077; 2004-033; 2009-
002; 2021-047
REVISED DATES: 12/15/1986; 3/2/1987;
6/6/1988; 6/15/1992; 12/6/1993; 4/4/1994;
8/5/1996; 7/2/2001; 4/5/2004; 1/20/2009;
3/16/2009; 12/6/2010; 8/5/2013; 3/3/2015;
9/20/2016; 6/20/2017; 8/1/2017; 12/4/18/;
8/20/19; 12/3/19; 6/1/2021; 11/2/2021;
9/20/22; 2/7/2023; 11/21/2023; 8/6/2024;
12/11/2025;1/20/2026
APPROVED:
PURPOSE
To establish procedures which standardize Town agendas and ensure an orderly meeting. This Policy applies to Town Council and all Town Boards, Commissions, and Committees, and references to Mayor will apply to Boards, Commissions, and Committees Chairpersons as set forth in this Policy.
POLICY
The following policies have been established:
A. Order of the Agenda
Subject to the Mayor’s discretion to change the order of consideration of any agenda item during any individual meeting:
Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Presentations
Consent Calendar
Verbal Communications
Public Hearings
Other Business
Council Matters
Manager Matters
Attorney Matters and Closed Session Report
Adjournment (No later than midnight without vote.)
Small Town Service Community Stewardship Future Focus
ATTACHMENT 2
ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Town Agenda Format and Rules
PAGE:
2 of 9
POLICY NUMBER:
2-01
B. Closed Session Report
As required by the Brown Act, the Town Attorney will report on actions taken at the Closed Session, but without reporting any information which could damage the Town’s position on a) potential or existing litigation, b) the acquisition or disposition of property, or c) any employee’s privacy interests. In addition, the Closed Session agenda shall clearly identify the subject of each agenda item consistent with the requirements of the Brown Act.
C. Communications by Members of the Public
Speakers at public meetings will be asked to provide their full name and to state whether they are a resident of the Town of Los Gatos. This information is optional but not required.
1. Verbal Communications. Comments by members of the public during the initial Verbal Communications portion of the agenda on items not on the Council agenda shall be limited to 30 minutes and no more than three (3) minutes per speaker, or at the discretion of the Mayor. Town resources may not be used to facilitate audio or visual presentations. Individuals addressing the Town Council under Verbal Communications may submit written materials and must provide at least one (1) copy for inclusion in the administrative record. As an item not listed on the agenda, no response is required from Town staff or the Council and no action can be taken. However, the Council may instruct the Town Manager to place the item on a future agenda. At the conclusion of the first Verbal Communications, the agenda will proceed onto the Public Hearings and Other Business sections of the agenda. In the event additional speakers were not able to be heard during the initial Verbal Communications portion of the agenda, an additional Verbal Communications section can be opened prior to Adjournment.
2. Public Hearings. Presentations during the Public Hearings portion of the agenda by appellants and applicants, including any expert or consultant assisting with the presentation, shall be limited to a total of no more than five (5) minutes for all speakers.
Appellants and applicants shall be provided no more than three (3) minutes to rebut at the end of the public hearing. Visual presentations that require the use of staff resources shall be limited to appellants and applicants. Other members of the public testifying at public hearings shall be limited to no more than three (3) minutes and may submit written materials, provided that one (1) copy is submitted for inclusion in the administrative record.
3. Submittal of written materials by Applicant and Appellant. To allow Town Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, Town Staff, and the public the opportunity to review material in advance of a hearing, all materials should be submitted by the Applicant or Appellant to the designated staff member prior to the publishing of the report for the scheduled public hearing. Documents and materials received from the Applicant or Appellant after the publishing of the report will be accepted; however, the Town Staff and the Town Council may not be able to analyze the late submissions based on the time provided by the submitter for such material to be reviewed.
ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Town Agenda Format and Rules
PAGE:
3 of 9
POLICY NUMBER:
2-01
4. Other Agenda Items. Comments by members of the public concerning any other item on an agenda shall be limited to no more than three (3) minutes per item.
5. Mayor’s Discretion. All time limits noted above shall be subject to change at the Mayor’s discretion.
D. Consent Calendar
Items on the Council agenda that are considered to be of a routine and non-controversial nature are placed on the Consent Calendar. Typical items include meeting minutes, final reading and adoption of ordinances, resolutions approving agreements, awards of contracts, status staff reports, etc.
Consent items shall be approved by a single Council motion unless a member of the Council requests that an item be removed for separate Council action. Members of the public may speak on an item on the Consent Calendar during the public comment portion before the Council votes on the Consent Calendar. Items removed from the Consent Calendar may be considered at that meeting at the Mayor’s discretion.
E. Presentations
The Presentations portion of the agenda is intended to allow organized groups to make formal presentations to the Council and to recognize and honor deserving individuals and organizations. All matters included on the Presentations portion of the agenda require the prior approval of the Mayor and shall be limited to no more than ten (10) minutes, unless the Mayor grants additional time. Visual presentations must be submitted to the staff 24 hours in advance of the meeting unless otherwise authorized by the Mayor.
F. Council Matters
Members of Council may report on the activities of the committees to which they belong or the meetings they attend, question staff briefly on matters upon which the Council has taken action or given direction, make brief announcements related to activities that a Council Member performs on behalf of the Town or its residents, or discuss whether to place particular items on future agendas for action by the Council. Personal business and personal political campaign activities are not Council Matters. Council Members’ reports are limited to three minutes each. Public comment on any Council Matter will be provided during Verbal Communications section of the agenda.
Discussion items are intended solely for dialogue between Councilmembers and shall not require staff research, reports, or preparation beyond listing the item on the agenda. If, after such discussion, three or more Councilmembers support further consideration through a vote to agendize, the item shall be placed on a future agenda for formal action. At that time, staff will prepare the necessary materials and reports consistent with standard agenda procedures.
ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Town Agenda Format and Rules
PAGE:
4 of 9
POLICY NUMBER:
2-01
During the Council Matters portion of the meeting, any Council Member may request that an item be placed on a future agenda for Council discussion. If a second Councilmember supports the request or if such request is solely made by the Mayor, the item will be scheduled on the next agenda under Council Matters for discussion purposes only.
If the item requires significant staff effort as determined by the Town Manager, then three or more members of the Council must vote in favor of placing an item on a future agenda for action. If more information is needed, the Council can continue the item to allow staff to obtain the required information, with approval by a majority of the Council.
Nothing shall limit three or more Council members from providing direction in requesting action at any time. The Mayor in good faith will make every effort to place a Council Requested item on the first available Council agenda in consultation with the Town Manager.
G. Adjournment
Council mMeetings will be adjourned at midnight 11:00 p.m. unless a majority of the Council mMembers present vote to extend the adjournment time.
H. Americans with Disabilities Notice on Town Agendas
As part of the requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town is required to provide notice of whom to contact in advance of a public meeting for assistance to disabled individuals who might wish to participate. The following notice shall be provided in at least one location on each Town agenda for Council, Boards, Commissions, or Committees.
I. Preparation of the Town Council Agenda
The agenda is prepared by staff in consultation with the Mayor for the Mayor’s final approval. If there is a disagreement between The Mayor and staff, the Mayor makes the ultimate call on the Agenda and its items. In the case of any order change or scheduling agenda items, the Town Manager has the discretion to adjust the order and scheduling if such change is necessary to mitigate an operational, financial, or compliance related impact.
If the wish of the Council is to add an item on the agenda of the current meeting, then the Brown Act generally requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote or a unanimous vote of those present if less than five (5) Council Members are present, with a finding that there is a need to take immediate action and the need for action came to the attention of the Town after the agenda was posted.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you require special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Clerk’s Office at (408) 354-6834. Please notify the Clerk’s Office at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting so that reasonable arrangements can be made to ensure accessibility in compliance with 28 CFR §35.102-35.104 and related provisions.
ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Town Agenda Format and Rules
PAGE:
5 of 9
POLICY NUMBER:
2-01
i. Preparation of the Town Boards, Commissions, and Committees Agenda For Town Boards, Commissions, and Committees, the staff liaison will consult and consider the Chairs’s input on the items scheduled for future meetings.
J. Council Regular Meeting Agenda Schedule and Preparation In general, questions or inquiries from Council Members to the Town Manager and/or Town Attorney regarding agenda items should be responded to within 24 hours, and then placed into Addenda and/or Desk Items, as appropriate.
The following timeline outlines the standard schedule for finalizing and distributing Town Council meeting materials. While this schedule will be followed under normal circumstances, adjustments may occur based on staff availability, meeting demands, or unforeseen circumstances.
Thursday, prior
to the meeting
Written agenda is finalized and printed. Agenda packets distributed to Town Council Members.
Friday, prior to
the meeting
Additional information from staff available after the Thursday distribution of the agenda packet, and public comments received prior 3:00 p.m. will be distributed to Town Council members as an Addendum to a staff report.
Monday, prior
to the meeting
Additional information from staff available after the Friday Addendum and public comment received prior to 3:00 p.m. on Monday will be distributed to Town Council members as an Addendum to a staff report.
Day of Council
Meeting
Public comments received by 11:00 a.m. on the morning of a Council meeting will be included in a Desk Item for distribution to Town Council members by 3:00 p.m. on the afternoon of a Council meeting. Public comment received after 11:00 a.m. will not be distributed to the Council in the Desk Item; however, public comment may be submitted by individuals during the Council meeting.
i. Boards, Commissions, and Committee Schedule and Preparation.
The schedule for Boards, Commissions and Committee meetings will follow a corresponding schedule, depending on their meeting day.
K. Agenda Posting
Agendas shall be posted at least 72 hours prior to a regular meeting, and at least 24 hours prior to a special meeting in compliance with the Brwon Act.
ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Town Agenda Format and Rules
PAGE:
6 of 9
POLICY NUMBER:
2-01
L. Conduct of Town Council Meetings
The Council shall adopt:
1. Modified Rosenberg’s Rules of Order (Exhibit A - changes are bolded and noted with asterisks) with a change to the “Basic Format for an Agenda Item Discussion” section to allow Council Members to ask questions after public comment; and a change to the reconsideration process to allow a reconsideration of a motion as outlined in this policy under Section O; or
2. Allow the Mayor to conduct the meeting as deemed appropriate so long as all members of the Council concur.
M. Attendance at Meetings
The Town Council and Commissioners are expected to attend all meetings as part of their commitment to their positions. Attendance requirements for Commissioners are set forth in Town Council Policy 2-11: Commission Appointments, Residency and Attendance Requirements, and Establishing a Quorum. Consistent with the Family Medical Leave Act and the California Family Rights Act, absences of up to 12 weeks due to the birth of a child constitute excused absences.
N. Remote Attendance
In addition to the requirements of the Brown Act, the following guidelines apply to Town meetings:
1. Town Council Meetings: Requests by Council Members to attend a regular Council meeting via remote appearance (either Zoom or telephone) are allowed on a limited basis and with no more than two regular meeting remote participations in a row. When a Council Member is participating remotely, they will make every effort to attend so as to not to impact the meeting In addition, at least a quorum of the Council must participate from a location within the Town and comply with other requirements of the Brown Act. Alternatively, a Council Member may participate remotely under the ‘Just Cause’ provisions of Government Code Section 54953, with remote participation limited to five meetings per calendar year. When a Council Member is participating remotely, they shall have their camera on and be visible for the duration of the meeting.
2. Town Board, Committee, and Commission Meetings: Board, Committee, and Commission members may participate remotely by telephone only, with the exception of the Finance and Planning Commissioners who have the choice of either Zoom or telephone. Requests by Commissioners to attend a Commission meeting via remote appearance should be allowed on a limited basis, with no more than four remote participations annually, no more than two regular meeting remote participations in a row, and in compliance with the Brown Act.
3. Remote Participation by the Public: In conformance with Government Code Section 54953, the public may participate in Town Council meetings remotely. The public may also participate in Finance Commission and Planning Commission meetings remotely as technology allows. Individuals can join these meetings using the remote participation instructions provided on the agenda, based on the available technology and equipment. Page 1057 ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Town Agenda Format and Rules
PAGE:
7 of 9
POLICY NUMBER:
2-01
The remote participation instructions shall be provided on all Town Council, Finance Commission, and Planning Commission agendas with the exception of Town Council Closed Sessions. There is not a remote public participation option for other Town Boards, Committees, or Commissions.
O. Proposed Reconsideration of Prior Council Actions
Reconsideration of prior Council actions is discouraged and may only occur in special circumstances subject to the procedural restrictions outlined herein. Reconsideration does not include, and this Policy does not prohibit, the repeal of a resolution or ordinance in response to a lawsuit or a referendum challenging that adoption.
Step 1 – Motion to Place Reconsideration of a Prior Action on a Future Council Agenda a. The motion must be made by a Council Member who previously voted on the prevailing side of the prior action, while the second can be any Council Member ; b. The maker of the motion shall specifically articulate the new information, analysis and/or circumstances that warrant(s) reconsideration of the prior action; c. The motion must be adopted by a majority of the full Council; and d. The motion may be made and considered no later than the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council after the item was originally acted upon.
Step 2 – Full Reconsideration of the Prior Action, if a motion as outlined in Step 1 is approved.
a. The full reconsideration of the prior action will be placed on the next available Council agenda following the agenda-setting and required public notification process. b. The agenda, public notification and staff report for the full reconsideration of the prior action shall clearly state that the item has been previously acted upon by the Council and is being reconsidered by the Council.
c. Action on the reconsideration of the prior action shall adhere to regular Council policies and practices as if the item was being heard for the first time. d. The full reconsideration of the prior action (whether sustained, reversed or otherwise modified) will be the final action on that item, and no further reconsiderations will be considered.
P. Motions by the Mayor
The Mayor may make or second motions. The Mayor may also restate, or ask that the maker restate, all motions immediately prior to any vote.
ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Town Agenda Format and Rules
PAGE:
8 of 9
POLICY NUMBER:
2-01
Q. Behavior Expectations at Town Meetings
At each meeting, the Mayor should welcome the public to participate in the meetings, understanding that the purpose of the meeting is to conduct the important business of the Town in an efficient and effective manner. The Mayor may promote constructive communication by asking Council members, staff, and community members to embrace and adhere to the following values:
Be respectful, welcoming, inclusive, compassionate, and kind to each other, Appreciate the diversity of perspectives and views in our community, Express your views and share your perspectives in helpful ways, Listen to understand and empathize with each other, and Collaborate and work together to do what is best for Los Gatos.
As is needed, the Mayor may need to remind the public about the Town’s civility rules listed below:
1. For the benefit of the entire community, the Town of Los Gatos asks that all speakers follow the Town’s meeting guidelines by treating everyone with respect and dignity. This is done by following meeting guidelines set forth in State law, in the Town Code, and on the cover sheet of the Council agenda.
2. The Town embraces diversity and strongly condemns hate speech and offensive, hateful language or racial intolerance of any kind at Council meetings.
3. Town Council and staff are well aware of the public’s right to disagree with their professional opinion on various Town issues. However, anti-social behavior, slander, hatred, and bigotry statements are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form at Town Council meetings.
4. All public comments at the Town Council meeting must pertain to items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Town and shall not contain slanderous statements, hatred, and bigotry against non-public officials.
R. Managing Disruptive Behavior During Meetings
The Town will go through the following steps in the event of a meeting disturbance:
1. If the individual is participating remotely, the Mayor, or their designee shall warn the individual that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal. If they do not promptly cease their disruptive behavior after the warning their permission to speak will be removed.
2. If the individual participating in-person, the Mayor or their designee shall warn the individual that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal. If the speaker does not promptly cease their disruptive behavior after the warning, they may be removed from the meeting.
ITEM NO. 25.
TITLE: Town Agenda Format and Rules
PAGE:
9 of 9
POLICY NUMBER:
2-01
3. In accordance with Government Code Section 54957.9, in the event that any meeting is willfully interrupted by a group or groups of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of such meeting infeasible and order cannot be restored by the removal of individuals who are willfully interrupting the meeting, the members of the legislative body conducting the meeting may order the meeting room cleared and continue in session.
Only matters appearing on the agenda may be considered in such a session.
Representatives of the press or other news media, except those participating in the disturbance, shall be allowed to attend any session held pursuant to this section.
Nothing in this section shall prohibit the legislative body from establishing a procedure for readmitting an individual or individuals not responsible for willfully disturbing the orderly conduct of the meeting.
Nothing in this policy limits other options to resolve disruptions, including but not limited to, taking a recess.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney
ITEM NO. 25.
ATTACHMENT 3
RESOLUTION 2026 -
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS
GATOS DETERMINING WHAT CONSITUTES REASONABLE EFFORTS
TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS
WHEREAS, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.) establishes requirements for open and public meetings of local legislative bodies; and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 707 (2025) amended the Brown Act to include additional requirements intended to encourage participation in public meetings, particularly among communities that do not traditionally participate in public meetings and non-English-speaking communities; and
WHEREAS, Government Code § 54953.4(b)(3)(C) requires the Town Council to determine and make reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings; and
WHEREAS, such reasonable efforts may include outreach to media organizations serving the jurisdiction, including those serving non-English-speaking communities, as well as civic, neighborhood, community-based, civil rights, good government, and media organizations; and WHEREAS, Government Code § 54953.4(b)(3)(C)(ii) 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; and WHEREAS, the Town is committed to promoting transparency, accessibility, and broad public participation in its public meetings; and
WHEREAS, the Town currently uses a variety of communication methods to inform the public of meetings and opportunities to participate; and WHEREAS, the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3), no environmental review is required.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos as follows:
Section 1. Determination of Reasonable Efforts. The Town Council determines that any of the following constitute reasonable efforts to encourage participation in meetings pursuant to Government Code § 54953.4(b)(3)(C):
ITEM NO. 25.
1. Media Outreach. The Town may include media organizations serving the jurisdiction, including media organizations serving non-English-speaking communities, in the distribution of meeting agendas, notices, or other meeting-related information, as appropriate.
2. Electronic Access and Agenda Subscriptions. The Town shall maintain methods for members of the public to access meeting agendas and related materials electronically, including through the Town’s website or other regular agenda-posting platform. Where available, the Town may also provide options for members of the public to subscribe to receive meeting agendas, notices, or other updates.
3. Multilingual Communication. The Town may use multilingual communication methods, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law and available resources. The type, scope, and extent of such communications may vary depending on the circumstances, community needs, and available resources..
4. Community and Organizational Outreach. The Town may provide meeting information through existing communication channels and partnerships with community-based organizations, neighborhood groups, civic organizations, civil rights organizations, good government organizations, media organizations, and organizations serving non-Englishspeaking communities, as opportunities arise and consistent with available resources.
5. Use of Existing Communication Channels. The Town may use existing outreach methods to share meeting information and participation opportunities, including, but not limited to, the agency website, email notifications, agenda subscription services, newsletters, social media platforms, public counters, bulletin boards, community meetings, and other established communication tools
Section 2. Flexible Framework. The efforts identified in this Resolution are intended to provide a flexible framework for outreach and public participation. The Town may modify, expand, or adjust its outreach methods over time based on available resources, evolving communication practices, changes in technology, and the needs of the community.
Section 3. No Requirement to Provide Notice to Any Specific Group. Consistent with Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C)(ii), this Resolution does not require notice to any specific group or organization, and no action shall arise from the failure to provide notice to any specific group or organization.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos, California, held on the 16th of June, 2026, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ITEM NO. 25.
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
_______________________________
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
___________________________________
TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ITEM NO. 25.