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 ...
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