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Laguna Beach adopts SB 707-compliant remote participation rules and schedules quarterly appeals days
Summary
Council adopted updates to the council policy manual to implement SB 707: a disruption policy, remote-participation provisions, and quarterly appeals days with evidence deadlines and proposed start times.
The Laguna Beach City Council adopted a rewritten council policy manual Thursday to implement SB 707’s remote-participation requirements, add a disruption response policy and establish quarterly appeals days for streamlined hearing of appeals.
Staff described new policy 1.7, the disruption policy required by SB 707, which would give staff up to an hour to attempt to remedy teleconference or internet disruptions during meetings; if service cannot be restored the council must make findings or adjourn. The manual also adds remote participation to the section establishing time and location for regular council meetings (policy 1.3) and proposes a quarterly appeals day (policy 1.8) to hear up to three appeals per session with an evidentiary deadline of Thursday at 2 p.m. before the hearing.
Several residents urged reinstating Zoom and broader remote access. "We do need to get back on Zoom," said Pat Menna, a frequent attendee, arguing remote access expands participation for voters who cannot attend in person. Other speakers asked that remote commenters be included in regular public comment time rather than relegated to the end of the meeting.
Council discussed options for two-way audio-visual versus telephonic platforms, whether to require cameras on to limit repeat or anonymous commenters, and start times for appeals days. Staff said platforms and procurement will be evaluated before implementation; the council scheduled two appeals days (May 13 and Nov. 5) starting at 3:00 p.m. and directed staff to return with implementation details and a year-end review.
The motion to adopt the policy manual as amended passed unanimously.
