TO: CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMIE EARL, ACTING CITY MANAGER
DATE: MAY 12, 2026
Reviewed by:
Acting City Manager: JE
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR RECESSING AND RECONVENING CITY COUNCIL HYBRID BROWN ACT MEETINGS AS A RESULT OF A DISRUPTION IN REMOTE PARTICIPATION (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
On October 3, 2025, California Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), which amended the Brown Act to diversify and increase public engagement in meetings of local legislative bodies.
As a requirement under SB 707, all qualified legislative bodies of local government agencies in California must now offer hybrid meetings through a two-way phone or video platform commencing on July 1, 2026. This requirement applies to the Claremont City Council.
The hybrid meeting requirement under SB 707 as written will sunset on January 1, 2030, unless further legislative action is taken at the State level. An item will be presented to the City Council as updates are available or the sunset date nears.
Additionally, the City Council is required to adopt a policy for procedures to recess and reconvene the hybrid meeting when there is a technological disruption affecting remote participation.
Staff recommends adoption of a resolution (Attachment) establishing the policy for recessing and reconvening meetings held pursuant to SB 707 from July 1, 2026, until SB 707 expires, is extended or made permanent.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE POLICY FOR RECESSING AND RECONVENING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD PURSUANT TO THE BROWN ACT AND SENATE BILL 707 IN THE EVENT OF A DISRUPTION IN REMOTE PARTICIPATION.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer the program is estimated at $653 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
Hybrid Meetings
On October 3, 2025, California Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), which amended the Brown Act to diversify and increase public engagement in meetings of local legislative bodies.
As a requirement under SB 707, the qualified legislative body of local government agencies in California must now offer hybrid meetings through a two-way phone or video platform commencing on July 1, 2026 and ending on January 1, 2030 (unless extended or made permanent), and adopt a policy for recessing and reconvening meetings when there is a technological disruption affecting remote participation.
A qualified legislative body on the local level is defined as an elected legislative body empowered to enact local ordinances and regulations that govern the community.
In compliance with legislative amendments enacted by Senate Bill 707, beginning on July 1, 2026, the City Council shall conduct its proceedings as hybrid meetings through a two-way phone or video platform. The City will continue to utilize Zoom, incorporating public comment on Zoom or by telephone.
In the event of a disruption in two-way remote participation, including, but not limited to Zoom, during a City Council meeting, the disruption of which prevents members of the public from remotely attending or observing the meeting, the City Council shall recess for no less than one hour, during which time City staff shall make good faith efforts to restore service.
Should remote participation fail to be restored after good faith efforts are made, the City Council shall adopt, by roll-call vote, a formal finding affirming reasonable efforts were made to resolve the disruption, but having been unsuccessful, the public interest in resuming the meeting without remote participation outweighs further delay in conducting the business meeting. Language will be added to the City Council agenda template outlining these procedures.
Upon adoption of a resolution establishing SB 707 policies, City staff will perform outreach efforts to the community to advise of methods for participation in the hybrid meeting format in advance of implementation of hybrid meetings on July 1, 2026.
It should be noted that staff will monitor legislation for updates and bring an item to the City Council for direction as the sunset date of January 1, 2030 nears, or other changes are made.
Remote Participation by a Member of the City Council
SB 707 more clearly outlines teleconference requirements related to two-way audio/visual participation by members of the legislative body. The City’s already established use of Zoom as a meeting platform meets the criteria set forth for participation, and the process whereby the City Council will vote in open session on a member’s need to participate remotely under emergency circumstances, such as illness, will be reinstituted.
Participant Behavior
SB 707 expands the authority of the presiding member of the legislative body or their designee, to remove an individual, or limit the participation of any person who engages in behavior that disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting to include members of the public participating remotely.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds it applies to the City Council Priorities.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jamie Earl Shelley Desautels
Acting City Manager City Clerk
Attachment:
Resolution