REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Review, Discussion and Potential Action to Adopt Council Policy 7.3.33 Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings
Report
BACKGROUND
The California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) in 2025, amending the Ralph M. Brown Act to require local legislative bodies, including the Sunnyvale City Council, to provide two-way remote public access to meetings and to adopt formal policies addressing disruptions of telephonic or internet services during meetings. These provisions take effect July 1, 2026, and require adoption of a policy at a public hearing prior to that date.
The City of Sunnyvale currently conducts hybrid City Council meetings, allowing both in-person and two-way remote public participation, consistent with SB 707 requirements. To comply with state law, the City must formalize procedures for responding to disruptions in two-way remote public access.
Due to scheduling constraints and the requirement to adopt the policy at a public hearing before July 1, 2026, this item is being brought directly to the full City Council rather than through the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Council Policy Review and Updates.
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
Proposed Council Policy 7.3.33 Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings establishes a framework for responding to a disruption in telephonic or internet services that provide two-way remote public access to City Council meetings.
The policy is intended to:
• Clarify procedures for the Presiding Officer, City Clerk and staff to follow in the event of telephonic or internet service disruption.
• Ensure staff make and document good-faith efforts to diagnose and restore two-way remote public access as quickly as possible.
• Define how and when the City Council may reconvene, either by continuing the meeting or adjourning, if service is not restored.
These provisions of SB 707 apply only to City Council meetings and do not apply to Council-appointed boards and commissions. Additionally, the policy does not apply to disruptions of one-way television or internet broadcasts of City Council meetings.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
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.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt Council Policy 7.3.33 Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings as shown in Attachment 1 to the report.
2. Adopt Council Policy 7.3.33 Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings as shown in Attachment 1 to the report, with modifications.
3. Other direction as provided by Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Adopt Council Policy 7.3.33 Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings as shown in Attachment 1 to the report.
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: Beth Goodsell, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: David Carnahan, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. DRAFT 7.3.33 Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During City Council Meetings