Baldwin Park adopts policy to manage remote meeting disruptions required under SB 707

The Baldwin Park City Council on Dec. 3 adopted a policy to address disruptions during remote or hybrid public meetings consistent with recent state changes (SB 707). The policy clarifies steps staff will take if remote participants or connection problems prevent two‑way access.

City Attorney told the council that SB 707 requires the city to provide two‑way telephonic or video access for Brown Act meetings and to adopt a policy governing disruptions. Under the proposed approach, staff will attempt to restore remote access; if they cannot restore it, the council may recess for up to one hour before resuming. The policy also authorizes warnings for disruptive remote participants and removal from the remote session if disruptions continue.

"One of the requirements of SB707 is that, starting in July, we have to…have a 2 way telephonic or video conference access," the city attorney explained. The clerk described operational details: remote participants will be instructed to "raise your hand" during public comment, they will be unmuted only when called, and chat/messages will be disabled to prevent interruptions.

Council member Manuel Lozano moved to adopt the policy; Council member Emmanuel Estrada seconded. The vote was 4–0 in favor (Ayala — yes; Estrada — yes; Lozano — yes; Avila — yes). Staff suggested testing the system prior to the July implementation date to work out procedures.

The policy aims to preserve remote access options for residents who cannot attend in person while setting rules to reduce disruptive behavior and ensure meetings can proceed if remote access fails.