Implementation of
Brown Act Changes
April 6, 2026 Paloalto.gov
Presenters:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
Background
1 • SB 707 amends the Brown Act to modernize remote participation and expand public access.
• P&S unanimously recommended implementation strategies. This report is not agendized on consent per standard practice because certain provisions cannot be approved on the consent calendar.
Staff is seeking Council direction on:
1 1. Expanded teleconferencing for Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCCs), • P&S recommendation: Do not authorize this form of teleconferencing
2. Remote general public comment structure for City Council and Council Committee meetings,
• P&S recommendation: Explore dividing general public comment into an in-person portion at the start of the meeting and a remote portion at the end of the meeting
3. Two-Way Remote Public Access Disruption Policy (Attachment A), • P&S recommendation: Adopt policy describing procedures (Attachment A) Staff is seeking Council direction on (con’t):
1 4. Third-Party Translation/Interpretation Assistance, and • P&S recommendation:
• Make posting space in King’s Plaza and Council Chambers available for publicly- translated agendas
• Arrange space for translation to occur upon request
• Provide additional public comment time for translation • Allow use of personal devices for translation services • Loan City devices for translation services upon request Staff is seeking Council direction on (con’t):
1 5. Expanded Outreach
• P&S recommendation:
• Continue current engagement practices
• Post meeting resources at agenda posting boards and other public-facing City locations
• Translate certain existing informational resources into Spanish and Chinese • Share newsletter information with community groups and organizations Mahealani Ah Yun
City Clerk
[email protected]
650-329-2571