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Cupertino adopts SB707 policy on teleconference disruptions; public asks for clearer notice
Summary
The City Council adopted a meeting-disruption policy required by SB707 that sets procedures for recessing and reconvening when hybrid meeting services fail, requires staff to attempt reconnection for at least one hour, and documents disruptions in the minutes; public commenters urged clearer guidance to remote participants.
The City Council unanimously adopted a meeting-disruption policy on June 2 required by Senate Bill 707 to govern interruptions to hybrid meetings.
Interim City Attorney Floyd Andrews outlined key requirements: the mayor must announce any audiovisual or remote-access disruption and call a recess; staff must use available means to identify and restore service and continue efforts for at least one hour; if service is restored the meeting resumes immediately and the mayor must announce the restoration; after one hour, if service is still not restored the council must decide by roll call whether to continue the meeting or adjourn, based on a finding that continuing the meeting outweighs the public's interest in remote access. The policy also requires staff to document the disruption and restoration attempts in the minutes, including start time and duration.
Jennifer Griffin, speaking virtually, urged the city to take practical steps to make remote participation more reliable and accessible, noting that participants join from many different Internet providers and devices and that some may not be able to reconnect.
Vice Mayor Chao asked staff to explore posting a status notice on the city home page and other broadcast channels during an interruption so remote viewers can find the meeting's status; the city manager said staff would research the most practical notification method.
The council moved to adopt the recommended policy; the motion carried unanimously.
