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Glendale updates meeting rules to comply with SB 707; adds Armenian agenda posting and a disruption policy
Summary
Council adopted amendments to its rules of order to implement SB 707 (effective July 1), including a Remote Public Access Disruption Policy, a shift to two-way audiovisual remote access and a formal requirement to publish agendas in Armenian where thresholds are met.
The Glendale City Council on June 9 approved amendments to the council's rules of order and procedure to implement requirements of California's SB 707, which expands remote public-access and participation for local legislative bodies.
City Attorney Garcia briefed the council on key elements of SB 707: cities must provide two-way audio-visual or telephonic systems that allow remote attendees to participate; agencies must publish agendas in additional languages when specified thresholds apply (staff said Armenian will be required for Glendale's posted and online agendas); and the city must adopt a Remote Public Access Disruption Policy which prescribes pause-and-wait procedures if internet or telephone outages prevent remote participation. Under the policy the council will pause up to one hour to attempt to restore service and, if unresolved, decide whether to continue or adjourn.
During discussion Councilmember Najarian asked how the new format will treat video imagery from remote participants; staff said the council will use a webinar format that shows audio-only callers as voice participants but will not display participants' video image by default (to prevent unexpected visuals). City staff also noted this change does not automatically apply to boards and commissions; SB 707 applies to the governing council but the city may expand similar features later.
The council voted to adopt the policy and procedural amendments on roll call. Staff said the agenda web portal will include Armenian-language access and that staff will report back if expanding webinar access to boards and commissions is warranted.
What happens next: The City Clerk and IT staff will implement two-way webinar access for the July meetings, publish the required language versions of agendas (including Armenian), and operationalize the disruption policy.
