DATE:
April 14, 2026
CATEGORY:
New Business
DEPT.:
City Clerk’s Office
TITLE: Adopt City Council Policy A-13a,
Disruption of Telephonic or Internet
Service During City Council Meetings
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Mountain View Adopting City Council Policy A-13a, Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings, to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the Council report).
BACKGROUND
Recent amendments to the California Government Code § 54953.4, part of the Ralph M. Brown Act, require cities to adopt a formal written policy establishing procedures to address disruptions in telephonic or internet- based remote access to public meetings. The statute mandates the adoption of such a policy no later than July 1, 2026, for the City to continue providing two -way remote public access to City Council meetings consistent with State law.
ANALYSIS
The proposed policy establishes clear procedures for (1) announcing and responding to service disruptions, (2) restoring remote access services, (3) determining whether and how a meeting may proceed if service cannot be restored within one hour, and (4) do cumenting the disruption and restoration efforts in the meeting record. Adoption of the policy ensures compliance with State law, promotes transparency and public participation, and provides an orderly framework for maintaining continuity of government operations during technology outages. This policy has been drafted to align with the existing legal and regulatory standards referenced above and, as such, is not subject to discretionary modification by the City Council; therefore, it did not go before the Council Policy and Procedures Committee.
Without adopting this policy, the City would not meet the statutory requirements governing remote public access to meetings. Approval of the policy will ensure the City remains in compliance with the Brown Act while continuing to provide reliable and transparent public meeting access.
Adopt City Council Policy A-13a,
Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings April 14, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budgetary impact associated with this recommendation.
LEVINE ACT
California Government Code Section 84308 (also known as the Levine Act) prohibits city officials from participating in any proceeding involving a “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” if the official has received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant within the last 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to- play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
Please see below for information about whether the recommended action for this agenda item is subject to or exempt from the Levine Act.
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
☒ General policy and legislative actions
PUBLIC NOTICING
Agenda posting.
Prepared by:
Heather Glaser
City Clerk
Approved by:
Kimbra McCarthy
City Manager
Attachment: 1. Resolution