AGENDA TITLE:
title
Adopt a Resolution Approving Policy Regarding Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings, Per Senate Bill 707 (CLK)
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MEETING DATE:
July 1, 2026
PREPARED BY:
Olivia Nashed, City Clerk
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a Resolution Approving Policy Regarding Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings, Per Senate Bill 707.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Under California Senate Bill (“SB”) 707, eligible local legislative bodies must adopt a written policy addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet service during public meetings, as well as interruptions by persons participating through teleconference or in person. The policy must establish procedures for recessing and reconvening meetings when a technological disruption prevents members of the public from accessing, observing, or participating in a meeting through the required two-way telephonic or audiovisual platform. The bill also includes disruptions that are not technical in nature, such as disruptive behavior or actions that impede the City Council’s ability to conduct City business. The policy must be approved at a noticed public meeting in open session by July 1, 2026.
The proposed policy addresses if a disruption occurs that prevents public access or participation, where the legislative body must recess the open session for at least one hour and make a good-faith effort to restore service. The meeting may not resume in open session until service is restored or at least one hour has elapsed, whichever occurs first. Per SB 707, the proposed policy also clarifies that the City Council retains authority to warn, remove, or limit participation by individuals, in person or remote, whose conduct actually disrupts, impedes, or renders the orderly conduct of the meeting infeasible, including participants attending remotely through telephone or video platforms. Mere disagreement, criticism, or offensive speech does not by itself constitute a disruption; the conduct must materially interfere with the meeting's ability to proceed.
The proposed draft policy has been prepared for City Council review and approval (Attachment 1). Staff recommends adopting the proposed policy to continue compliance with SB 707.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not applicable.