RESOLUTION NO. 11684
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ORANGE ADOPTING A TECHNOLOLGY
DISRUPTION POLICY FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS
PURSUANT TO SENATE BILL 707 AND THE RALPH
M. BROWN ACT
WHEREAS, the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Government Code Section 54950 et seq., establishes requirements for open and public meetings of local legislative bodies; and WHEREAS, Senate Bill (“SB”) 707 amended the Brown Act to expand public access, transparency, and participation in local government meetings, including requirements for remote public attendance and comment; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 54953.4 requires eligible legislative bodies, including the Orange City Council to provide an opportunity for members of the public to attend open and public meetings remotely through a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform, except in limited circumstances; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 54953.4 further requires eligible legislative bodies to adopt a publicly approved policy establishing procedures to be followed when a disruption to telephone or internet service prevents remote public access to a meeting; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Orange qualifies as an eligible legislative body under Government Code Section 54953.4 based on statutory population thresholds; and WHEREAS, technology disruptions may occur due to factors beyond the reasonable control of the City, including internet outages, service provider failures, or system malfunctions; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary and appropriate to adopt a clear, transparent, and consistent policy to ensure good faith compliance with SB 707 while preserving the orderly conduct of City Council meetings; and
WHEREAS, adoption of a Technology Disruption Policy will promote transparency, provide clarity to the public, and establish uniform procedures for responding to interruptions in remote access.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Orange as follows:
SECTION 1. ADOPTION OF POLICY . The City Council hereby adopts the Technology Disruption Policy, as set forth below, pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.4. 2 SECTION 2. PURPOSE. To establish procedures for responding to disruptions in telephone or internet service during City Council meetings that provide two-way remote public access to meetings, as required by the Brown Act (GC § 54953.4).
SECTION 3. APPLICABILITY. This policy applies to all open and public meetings of the Orange City Council at which remote public participation is offered or required under the Brown Act.
SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS. For purpose of this policy:
A. Remote Access means participation in a public meeting through telephone or internet-based technology.
B. Technology Disruption means a failure or interruption of telephone or internet service that prevents members of the public from observing or participating in a meeting remotely.
C. Good Faith Effort means reasonable actions taken by City staff to restore remote access as promptly as practicable under the circumstances.
SECTION 5. PROCEDURES DURING A TECHNOLOLGY DISRUPTION.
A. Initial Response
If a technology disruption occurs that prevents remote public access to a City Council meeting:
1. The Mayor or City Clerk shall announce the disruption to the public.
2. The City Council shall recess the open session of the meeting for a minimum of one hour or until remote access is restored, whichever occurs first. The recess period may be extended if restoration efforts are ongoing.
3. The City Council may convene in closed session during the recess in compliance with the Brown Act.
B. Restoration Efforts
During the recess, City staff shall make a good faith effort to restore remote access, which may include, but is not limited to:
Checking network and platform status
Confirming power and physical connections
Troubleshooting or restarting hardware, software, or control systems as needed Attempting alternative connection methods
Coordinating with support staff, external service providers or technology vendors Transitioning to back-up telephone or internets systems, if available The IT Department shall document all restoration efforts undertaken. 3 C. Reconvening the Meeting
If remote access is restored, the City Council shall reconvene the meeting and resume open session proceedings.
If remote access is not restored following the recess period, the City Council may reconvene and adjourn the meeting or reconvene and continue in open session only after making the findings set forth in Section 6 of this Resolution.
SECTION 6. REQUIRED FINDINGS TO CONTINUE WITHOUT REMOTE ACCESS.
Before continuing the meeting without remote public access, the City Council shall make all of the following findings by roll call vote:
1. The City made a good faith effort to restore remote access in accordance with this policy.
2. The continued inability to provide remote access is due to factors beyond the reasonable control of the City.
3. Continuing with the meeting outweighs the public interest in delaying the meeting to restore remote access.
Upon adoption of these findings, the City Council may continue the open session. All findings shall be entered into the official meeting record.
SECTION 7. NO LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY. Nothing in this Resolution limits the authority of the presiding officer to manage meetings or address disruptive behavior in accordance with the Brown Act, City Council rules, or other applicable law.
SECTION 8. POLICY UPDATES. Any amendments to this policy shall be considered by the City Council at a noticed public meeting. All amendments must be considered in open session and shall not be placed on the Consent Calendar.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
ADOPTED this ______ day of __________________________ 2026.
Daniel R. Slater, Mayor, City of Orange
4 ATTEST:
Pamela Coleman, City Clerk, City of Orange
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Nathalie Adourian, City Attorney, City of Orange
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF ORANGE )
I, PAMELA COLEMAN, City Clerk of the City of Orange, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of Orange at a regular meeting thereof held on the day of 2026 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Pamela Coleman, City Clerk, City of Orange