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Seaside adopts technology‑disruption policy for remote public meeting access under SB 707
Summary
To comply with SB 707 changes to the Brown Act, Seaside adopted a technology‑disruption policy defining steps if remote access fails: announce the disruption, recess open session up to one hour for restoration efforts, document actions, and either reconvene or adopt a roll‑call finding to continue. Council approved the policy unanimously.
On June 18 the Seaside City Council unanimously adopted a technology‑disruption policy implementing amendments to the Brown Act enacted as SB 707.
City Clerk Dominique Davis presented the policy that sets a consistent public‑facing process when remote telephonic or internet services fail during a meeting. The key steps are: promptly announce the disruption to the public, recess the open session for up to one hour while staff pursues good‑faith restoration (troubleshooting platform/AV, switching to backup links, contacting vendors), document restoration efforts for the public record, and either reconvene when service is restored or adopt a roll‑call finding by the legislative body to continue in‑person only after demonstrating good‑faith efforts.
The policy also clarifies that closed session may proceed during a recess only if otherwise permissible under the Brown Act, and that staff will provide public updates via agenda web pages and other channels when feasible. Public commenters supported the policy but asked for additional specificity about the criteria used when a legislative body decides the public interest supports continuing the meeting after remote access cannot be restored. Staff said scenarios vary and a flexible, case‑by‑case approach preserves the city’s ability to act while documenting restoration efforts.
Council approved the resolution unanimously. Staff will publish the new policy and document appropriate restoration actions taken during any future disruption.
