2026-047 - DETERMINING WHAT CONSITUTES REASONABLE EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS RESOLUTION 2026-047
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
LOS GATOS DETERMINING WHAT CONSTITUTES
REASONABLE EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS
WHEREAS, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq.) establishes
requirements for open and public meetings of local legislative bodies; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 707 (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; and
WHEREAS, Government Code §54953.4(b)(3)(C) requires the Town Council to determine
and make reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public
meetings to attend those meetings; and
WHEREAS, such reasonable efforts may include outreach to media organizations serving
the jurisdiction, including those serving non-English-speaking communities, as well as civic,
neighborhood, community-based, civil rights, good government, and media organizations; and
WHEREAS,Government Code§54953.4(b)(3)(C)(ii) provides legislative bodies with broad
discretion in determining appropriate reasonable efforts and clarifies that no action shall arise
from failing to provide notice to any specific group; and
WHEREAS, the Town is committed to promoting transparency, accessibility, and broad
public participation in its public meetings; and
WHEREAS, the Town currently uses a variety of communication methods to inform the
public of meetings and opportunities to participate; and
WHEREAS, the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines
Section 15060(c)(3), no environmental review is required.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos as
follows:
Section 1. Determination of Reasonable Efforts. The Town Council determines that any of the
following constitute reasonable efforts to encourage participation in meetings pursuant to
Government Code § 54953.4(b)(3)(C):
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Resolution 2026-038 June 16,2026
1. Media Outreach. The Town may include media organizations serving the jurisdiction,
including media organizations serving non-English-speaking communities, in the
distribution of meeting agendas, notices, or other meeting-related information, as
appropriate.
2. Electronic Access and Agenda Subscriptions. The Town shall maintain methods for
members of the public to access meeting agendas and related materials electronically,
including through the Town's website or other regular agenda-posting platform. Where
available, the Town may also provide options for members of the public to subscribe to
receive meeting agendas, notices, or other updates.
3. Multilingual Communication.The Town may use multilingual communication methods, as
appropriate and consistent with applicable law and available resources. The type, scope,
and extent of such communications may vary depending on the circumstances,
community needs, and available resources..
4. Community and Organizational Outreach. The Town may provide meeting information
through existing communication channels and partnerships with community-based
organizations, neighborhood groups, civic organizations, civil rights organizations, good
government organizations, media organizations, and organizations serving non-English-
speaking communities, as opportunities arise and consistent with available resources.
5. Use of Existing Communication Channels. The Town may use existing outreach methods
to share meeting information and participation opportunities, including, but not limited
to, the agency website, email notifications, agenda subscription services, newsletters,
social media platforms, public counters, bulletin boards, community meetings, and other
established communication tools
Section 2. Flexible Framework. The efforts identified in this Resolution are intended to provide
a flexible framework for outreach and public participation. The Town may modify, expand, or
adjust its outreach methods over time based on available resources, evolving communication
practices, changes in technology, and the needs of the community.
Section 3. No Requirement to Provide Notice to Any Specific Group. Consistent with
Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C)(ii), this Resolution does not require notice to any
specific group or organization, and no action shall arise from the failure to provide notice to any
specific group or organization.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos, California, held on the 16th of June, 2026, by the following vote:
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Resolution 2026-038 June 16,2026
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Rob Rennie, Maria Ristow, Matthew Eludes, Mary Badame, Mayor Rob Moore
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
,-/Pit4 .2wegir
TOWN Ci1 OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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Resolution 2026-038 June 16,2026