CC – 2026-33 – Adopting a Distribution of Telephonic or Internet Service Policy Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.4RESOLUTION NO. 2026-33
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A DISRUPTION
OF TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE POLICY
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953.4
WHEREAS, pursuant to Senate Bill 707, Government Code section 54953.4 requires that,
beginning July 1, 2026, eligible legislative bodies provide members of the public an opportunity
to attend open and public meetings through a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual
platform, subject to the exceptions stated in that section;
WHEREAS, Government Code section 54953.4, subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i)(I)(ib), requires
an eligible legislative body, on or before July 1, 2026, to approve at a noticed public meeting in
open session a policy addressing disruption of telephonic or internet service occurring during
meetings where remote access is required;
WHEREAS, Government Code section 54953.4, subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i)(I)(ib"c),
establishes requirements for recessing and reconvening a meeting and for making good faith efforts
to restore service if a disruption prevents members of the public from attending or observing the
meeting remotely;
WHEREAS, the City Council is the City's only "eligible legislative body" for purposes of
Government Code section 54953.4; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt a policy that implements, and does not
expand upon, the requirements of Government Code section 54953.4.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Rosemead City Council as follows:
SECTION 1. The recitals above are true and correct and incorporated into the body of
this Resolution by reference.
SECTION 2. The City Council adopts the Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service
Policy attached hereto as Exhibit "A."
SECTION 3. This resolution implements Government Code section 54953.4. It does not
create rights beyond those required by state law and does not expand the obligations imposed by
that section.
EXHH1IT A
CITY OF ROSEMEAD
DISRUPTION OF TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE POLICY
The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for responding to disruptions in telephonic or
intemet services that provide two-way remote public access to City Council meetings. This policy
is adopted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, including Government Code section
54953.4, to ensure continued transparency, public participation, and compliance with open meeting
requirements during technological disruptions affecting remote access to City Council meetings.
A. This policy implements Government Code section 54953.4, subdivision
(b)(1)(A)(i)(I)(Ib)—(Ic), for meetings of the City Council.
B. If a disruption or technical failure of the telephonic service, intemet connection, two-way
telephonic system, or two-way audiovisual platform occurs during a meeting in a manner
that prevents members of the public from attending, observing, or participating in the
meeting as required by law, the City Council shall recess the open session for at least a
period of one (1) hour. During the recess, the City Council may meet in closed session as
permitted by Government Code section 54953.4.
C. The City Council shall not reconvene open session until either: (1) at least one hour has
passed since the disruption began, or (2) telephonic or intemet service has been restored
and the public is again able to attend and observe the meeting through a two-way telephonic
or audiovisual platform, whichever occurs first.
D. If telephonic or intemet service has not been restored when open session reconvenes, the
City Council may continue the meeting only after adopting, by roll call vote, a finding that
it made good faith efforts to restore the service and that the public interest in continuing
the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access. The finding shall be
stated on the record before the City Council proceeds with open session business.
E. The Clerk shall enter a brief statement into the meeting minutes, including the nature and
time of the service disruption; the time the meeting was reconvened (if applicable); and
any finding adopted pursuant to Section D.