REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
As Required by Senate Bill 707, Approve Outreach Efforts to Groups that do not Traditionally Participate in Public Meetings; and Make a Determination that These Outreach Efforts are Reasonable as Required by California Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C)
Report
BACKGROUND
The California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) in 2025, amended the Brown Act to include additional requirements intended to encourage participation in public meetings, particularly among communities that do not traditionally participate in public meetings and non-English-speaking communities. SB 707 requires City Council make a determination the efforts to encourage this participation are reasonable. The specific language is included as Attachment 1 (California Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C)).
The City currently shares information about City Council and Board and Commission meetings broadly throughout the community via the following methods:
- Legislative Public Meetings online portal
- Public Meetings Calendar that synchronizes to individuals’ devices
- Email newsletters specific to City Council, Board and Commission meeting updates
- Update Sunnyvale newsletter shared every other week online and via email to subscribers
- The print-copy Horizon newsletter mailed three times a year to all Sunnyvale residences
- Social media posts in advance of Council meetings highlighting topics of public interest
While these materials are typically drafted in English, some are translated into Spanish and Chinese, Simplified. The City’s website and a Legislative Public Meetings online portal include built-in translation tools that allow users to pick from numerous languages.
At Sunnyvale’s City Council meetings, AI-based translation is available in more than 60 different languages. This service is also available upon request at other Sunnyvale legislative public meetings.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Strategic Goal - Responsive Government
Council Policy 7.3.1, Legislative Management - Goals and Policies
• Goal 7.3B Assure that City policy is established, documented and enacted according to established procedures and legal principles.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
The City will continue to conduct the robust outreach efforts outlined in the background section above. In addition, the City intends to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend public meetings by sharing public meeting information with various community members through a biannual How to be Informed and get Engaged campaign. This campaign will include outreach to groups such as Neighborhood Associations, school districts, faith-based organizations, and the business community. This campaign will include tools such as utility bill inserts, emails to City newsletter subscribers, flyers for events staffed by City employees, and announcements at Sunnyvale meetings.
In addition, the City is currently conducting a Community Equity Assessment to better understand how residents experience City programs and services. This Assessment will help the City gain insights into outreach to residents who may not always be reached using current outreach methods.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. Pending the outcome of the Community Equity Assessment, staff may make additional outreach recommendations in the future.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the outreach efforts in the report to groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings; and make a determination that these outreach efforts are reasonable as required by California Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C).
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: David Carnahan, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Fernanda Perdomo-Arciniegas, Equity, Access & Inclusion Manager
Reviewed by: Jennifer Garnett, Chief Public Information Officer
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. California Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C)