Title
Adoption of Resolution Establishing a City Council Meeting Technology Disruption Policy. (City Clerk)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Following recent amendments, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act) requires the City Council to adopt a policy addressing technology disruptions during City Council meetings prior to July 1, 2026. Staff is proposing that City Council adopt a resolution establishing the policy.
BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 707 (Chapter 327, Statutes of 2025) amended the Brown Act to require eligible legislative bodies to adopt, on or before July 1, 2026, a policy addressing how the agency will respond to disruptions in telephonic or internet service that prevent members of the public from participating remotely. The statute establishes minimum requirements for the policy and prohibits adoption of the policy from being considered on the Consent Calendar.
DISCUSSION
This policy establishes procedures for responding to disruptions in telephonic or internet services that provide two-way remote public access to City Council meetings, as required by the Brown Act (Government Code Section 54953.4). The policy ensures transparency, public participation, and the continuation of meetings during technological disruptions.
The policy addresses the City of Alameda’s (City) response to such service disruptions, which includes recessing the meeting for up to one hour, reconvening, and how to address disruptions in the City Council record.
The policy is effective starting July 1, 2026, and will expire on January 1, 2030, unless the Legislature extends the Brown Act provision.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council can:
• Adopt the policy as presented.
• Amend and adopt the policy.
• Direct staff to return with a revised version of the policy as a Regular Agenda Item prior to July 1, 2026.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adopting this policy does not have any financial impacts.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The amendments to the Brown Act do not require amendment to the City’s Sunshine Ordinance. Adopting this policy furthers the Strategic Plan goal: Practice Fiscally Responsibly, Equitable and Inclusive Governance.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution establishing a City Council Meeting Technology Disruption Policy.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
By,
Ashley Zieba, Assistant City Clerk
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director