CITY OF SAN PABLO
City Manager
M E M O R A N D U M
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
1000 Gateway Avenue
San Pablo, CA 94806
TO: MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND CITY OF SAN PABLO EMPLOYEES
FROM: Matt Rodriguez, City Manager
RE: EXTENDING TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS BY ZOOM AND TELEPHONE FOR DESIGNATED BROWN ACT BODIES – CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026
IMPORTANT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public agencies across California, including neighboring cities in the East Bay region, continue to experience a barrage of hate speech through remote public comments known as “Zoom Bombing”.
The volume of these comments disrupts public meetings and prevents cities and agencies from conducting orderly public meetings.
On October 12, 2023, the City Manager temporarily suspended all public comments for the City Council and Planning Commission meetings scheduled during the remainder of October 2023. This action was subsequently affirmed by the San Pablo City Council by minute action vote on October 16, 2023, and the Council continued such suspension through the end of April 2024.
• On April 15, 2024, the City Council approved a n additional 6 -month extension of the suspension through October 30, 2024.
• On October 21, 2024, the City Council approved a n additional 6-month extension of the suspension through April 30, 2025.
• On October April 21, 2025, the City Council approved a n additional 6-month extension of the suspension through October 31, 2025.
New State Legislation (SB 707 Regulations)
Newly introduced State SB 707 legislation, passed by the State Legislature in September 2025, and once signed by the Governor, will be enacted into new State law, effective July 1, 2026. 1000 Gateway Avenue ● San Pablo, CA 94806
Main: 510-215-3000 ● Direct: 510-215-3001 ● Fax: 510-215-3011 www.SanPabloCA.gov
TO: MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
DATE: October 1, 2025
RE: EXTENDING TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS BY ZOOM AND TELEPHONE FOR DESIGNATED BROWN ACT BODIES – CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026
Although San Pablo values transparency and accessibility, new State law per SB 707 imposes expensive new requirements on local cities to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act for public meetings. This includes the following new requirements:
• Providing two-way telephonic or audiovisual access for all meetings, halting proceedings during any service disruption.
• Translating agendas into all “applicable languages” spoken by 20% or more of residents with limited English proficiency.
• Designating a public space for community -submitted translations, even if inaccurate or misleading.
• Creating and maintaining multi -language webpages for agendas, instructions, and meeting procedures.
• Expanding outreach efforts and electronic systems for agenda access.
To better serve our San Pablo community, ensure regulatory compliance with new State regulations, conduct orderly public meetings, with requisite training for City employees, the City Manager proposes to extend the temporary suspension of remote public participation via online platforms or telephone for designated City Brown Act bodies through June 30, 2026.
The City Council will consider extending this operational procedure a t its regular scheduled meeting on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 6:00p.m.
This action is consistent with what other public agencies must implement throughout the Bay Area, and is consistent with the policy objectives contained in the City’s Adopted Diversity Plan adopted via City Council Resolution 2020-078 on June 15, 2020.
However, the City of San Pablo highly encourages members of the public to participate in our meetings. Those who wish to provide input on this proposed action may do so in person or submit public comment via email by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, October 20, 2025 to:
[email protected]
AS AUTHORIZED:
_____________________________ Date: October 1, 2025 Matt Rodriguez, City Manager
cc: San Pablo City Council
Executive Leadership Group
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