Reso. No. xx-26
RESOLUTION NO. _____-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
APPROVING THE CITY OF RICHMOND POLICY FOR DISRUPTIONS OF
TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE DURING PUBLIC MEETINGS PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953.4
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond is committed to conducting its public meetings openly and transparently and ensuring meaningful public access to the deliberations and actions of its legislative bodies; and
WHEREAS, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code sections 54950 et seq.) requires that meetings of legislative bodies be open and public and that members of the public be afforded the opportunity to observe and participate in such meetings; and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 707 added Government Code Section 54953.4, which requires local legislative bodies that provide telephonic, internet-based, livestreamed, videoconference, or other electronic means of public access to adopt a policy addressing disruptions of telephonic or internet service during public meetings; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 54953.4 requires such policy to establish procedures for recessing and reconvening meetings and identify the efforts that will be undertaken to restore service following a disruption; and WHEREAS, Government Code Section 54953.4 further requires that the policy be approved at a publicly noticed meeting of the legislative body; and WHEREAS, the City Clerk's Office and City Attorney's Office have prepared a proposed Policy for Disruptions of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings to ensure compliance with state law and to provide clear procedures for responding to technology-related disruptions that affect public access to meetings; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adoption of the proposed policy is in the public interest and promotes transparency, accountability, and continued public participation in City government.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Richmond as follows:
Section 1. Findings.
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference as findings of the City Council.
Section 2. Approval of Policy.
The City Council hereby approves and adopts the City of Richmond Policy for Disruptions of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings, attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 3. Administrative Authority.
The City Clerk, City Manager, Information Technology Department, and City Attorney are authorized and directed to take all actions necessary to implement and administer the Policy.
Section 4. Incorporation into Council Procedures.
The City Clerk is authorized to incorporate the Policy into the City Council Rules of Procedure and other administrative procedures governing public meetings as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with Government Code Section 54953.4.
Section 5. CEQA.
Reso. No. xx-26
The adoption of this Resolution is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it constitutes an organizational and administrative activity of government that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Section 6. Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Resolution or the Policy adopted herein is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution or Policy.
Section 7. Effective Date.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. ******************
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on June 23, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
PAMELA CHRISTIAN
CLERK OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
Approved: (SEAL)
EDUARDO MARTINEZ
Mayor
Approved as to form:
SHANNON MOORE
Interim City Attorney
State of California }
County of Contra Costa : ss.
City of Richmond }
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution No. xx-26, finally passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on June 23, 2026.
__________________________________________
Pamela Christian, Clerk of the City of Richmond