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Atherton adopts teleconferencing outage policy to comply with SB 707
Summary
The council adopted a policy to manage disruptions to two‑way remote public access as required by Senate Bill 707, including a brief recess, staff attempts to restore remote access, and a one‑hour threshold after which the council may make a finding to resume business.
Atherton Town Council adopted an amended policy to address disruptions in two‑way remote public access consistent with Senate Bill 707, which the city attorney said becomes effective July 1, 2026.
“The legislature proposed Senate Bill 707, which the governor adopted and signed on October 3. It becomes effective on 07/01/2026,” the city attorney stated while presenting the item. Staff explained that because San Mateo County’s population exceeds the statute’s threshold the town must formalize procedures to preserve public participation when remote access is offered.
The adopted policy requires the town to provide two‑way teleconferencing where eligible and lays out steps if an outage or technical difficulty prevents full public participation: staff must notify the council, the mayor may call a brief recess while staff attempts to restore the remote connection, and the council may hold closed session items if applicable. If restoration efforts are unsuccessful the policy requires waiting at least one hour; after that time the council may make a formal finding that it made best efforts and may resume business.
Council members asked whether the council could adjourn the meeting to a later date instead of waiting an hour; staff and the city attorney said the Brown Act already allows adjournment to a date and time certain and that the proposed policy can rely on that law where appropriate. One councilmember also asked whether the council must make the public‑interest finding each time remote access is limited; staff confirmed the statute requires that finding when continuing without full remote access.
A councilmember moved to approve the amended ordinance/policy, a second was recorded, and the council approved it by voice vote. Staff recorded the adoption and will publish the policy and related procedures so the public knows how the town will respond to service interruptions during hybrid meetings.
The policy is intended to ensure compliance with SB 707 and to protect the public’s ability to participate in council meetings that provide remote access.
