City adopts SB77 policy to govern hybrid meetings and interruptions; one‑hour recess rule explained

The City Council on May 26 adopted a policy implementing the Brown Act amendments enacted by SB77 that will require the city to provide remote public access (telephonic or two‑way audiovisual) for council meetings beginning July 1, 2026.

Director of Administrative Services Seda Muscar summarized the policy’s main points: the city will run hybrid meetings using Zoom; if remote service is disrupted the council must recess and attempt to restore service for at least one hour (or until service is restored), post notice on the city’s website and announce the disruption at the in‑person meeting, and, if the meeting is reconvened without remote access, conduct a roll‑call vote confirming that good‑faith efforts were made and that continuing outweighs the public interest in remote access.

The policy also requires disabling public video for two‑way audiovisual platforms where appropriate, activating automatic captioning if available, and authorizes the presiding officer to recess or remove disruptive remote participants. Council members asked logistical questions about whether meetings must wait a full hour before adjourning in the event of a late disruption; the city attorney advised staff would follow the new law and post notice and that the council could take allowable procedural measures (including scheduling continuance) consistent with the statute. Council adopted the resolution implementing the policy.