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Report regarding a resolution approving a “Disruption of Remote Participation During a Council Meeting Policy,” as required by Senate Bill (SB 707) (Rosa Govea Acosta, City Clerk, Tony Barrera, Information Technology Director and Sky Woodruff, City Attorney)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the Disruption of Remote Participation During a Council Meeting Policy, to incorporate new Brown Act amendments regarding Council meeting disruption procedures for two-way remote access pursuant to Senate Bill 707.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On October 3, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), which amends the Brown Act to diversify and increase public engagement at legislative meetings of local government bodies. Among the various new requirements under SB 707, all qualified legislative bodies must now offer hybrid meetings (through a two-way phone or video platform). The South San Francisco City Council meetings are already being conducted in a hybrid format via Zoom, but will now allow public participation.
In addition, SB 707 requires the City to formally adopt a policy outlining procedures for recessing and reconvening a meeting in the event of a disruption, and the efforts the City Council and staff will make to restore service.
The attached draft Council Policy will satisfy this new State requirement. The Policy mirrors the meeting disruption guidelines outlined in SB 707, which require the legislative body to take a recess and attempt to restore service for at least one hour. If service cannot be restored within one hour, the legislative body must conduct a roll-call vote confirming that good-faith efforts were made and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the need for remote access. (Cal. Gov. Code § 54953.4(b)(1).) In that event, the public would still be able to view the City Council meeting using any of the following resources:
1) The City’s website at <https://www.ssfca.gov/Government/Video-Streaming-City-and-Council-Meetings/City-Council>
2) Local Cable Channel: Astound (Channel 26); Comcast (Channel 27) and AT&T (Channel 99)
3) The meeting venue - Library | Parks & Recreation Building, Council Chambers, 901 Civic Campus Way, South San Francisco, CA
The attached draft Council Policy outlines the accommodation that would take place if disruptions were to occur. If adopted, the requirements would take effect immediately.
The full text of SB 707 can be found here: <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707>
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
The adoption of the Disruption of Remote Participation During a Council Meeting Policy will promote community participation and strengthen collaboration by contributing to the Major Focus Area of Welcoming and Connected Community.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution regarding the Disruption of Remote Participation During a Council Meeting Policy to incorporate new Brown Act amendments regarding Council meeting disruption procedures for two-way remote access pursuant to Senate Bill 707.