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Madera City Council adopts remote-participation policy to implement Senate Bill 707 changes to Brown Act rules
Summary
Council unanimously adopted a resolution implementing a remote-participation and public-access policy aligned with Senate Bill 707, requiring expanded teleconferencing options, translation/captioning practices and rules for eligible advisory bodies.
The Madera City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a policy implementing the teleconferencing and public-participation provisions of Senate Bill 707.
City Clerk Gonzalez summarized required changes under SB 707, telling council the law expands teleconferencing options for just-cause and state/local emergencies, treats remote participation as in-person for quorum when required conditions are met, requires two-way audiovisual platforms and real-time public comment, and makes roll-call voting and disclosure of any adults present at a remote participant's location part of the record.
Gonzalez described additional requirements for eligible advisory bodies — councils may authorize 100% remote participation for advisory bodies that also provide a staffed physical location for public participation and that meet captioning, translation, and accessibility obligations. The policy also sets procedures for service disruptions, decorum expectations for in-person and remote participants, and disability accommodations for off-camera participation when appropriate.
Staff noted SB 707's translation threshold: agendas must be translated when 20% or more of the city population speaks a language other than English and English is not well understood by those residents; the city already uses Wordley for translation and will continue outreach and updates to web-based agenda and document request tools.
Council received the presentation, opened a public hearing (no speakers), then moved and seconded the resolution to adopt the policy. The motion passed unanimously.
City Clerk Gonzalez said staff will finalize the policy language and implement operational steps, including updating online tools and outreach practices required by the statute.
