HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 4148 - Resolution Adopting City Public Participation and Outreach PolicyResolution No. 4148
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) RESOLUTION NO. 4148
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss
CITY OF SAN JACINTO )
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN JACINTO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION AND OUTREACH POLICY PURSUANT
TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953.4(b)(3)(C)
WHEREAS, the City of San Jacinto is a general law city organized under the laws
of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code section 54950 et seq.)
requires that meetings of local legislative bodies be open and public; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 707 amended the Brown Act to require an eligible
legislative body to make reasonable efforts, as determined by the legislative body, to
invite groups that do not traditionally participate in local public meetings to attend its
meetings; and
WHEREAS, the requirements of Government Code section 54953.4 became
operative on July 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt a Public Participation and Outreach
Policy and authorize City staff to implement the Policy consistent with the direction and
framework established by the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, determined, and ordered by the City
Council of the City of San Jacinto, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The recitals above are true and correct and are
incorporated into this Resolution as findings of the City Council.
SECTION 2. Adoption of Policy. The City Council hereby adopts the Public
Participation and Outreach Policy attached to this Resolution as Exhibit “A” and
incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 3. Implementation. The City Manager, City Clerk, communications
staff, and their designees are authorized and directed to implement the Policy. City staff
may update outreach lists and adjust administrative outreach methods and procedures
consistent with the Policy and applicable law without further City Council action. Any
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material amendment to the Policy shall be presented to the City Council for consideration
and approval.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this Resolution or the Policy, or its
application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remaining provisions and
applications shall remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
SECTION 5. CEQA. This Resolution constitutes general policy and procedure
making and an organizational or administrative activity and thus is not a project under
CEQA Guidelines section 15378, subdivision (b)(5). To the extent it is a project, it is
exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15061, subdivision (b)(3).
SECTION 6. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon
adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council
on the 1st day of September 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Ledezma, Sanchez, Ayala, Vandever, Ruiz
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CITY OF SAN JACINTO
________________________________
Crystal Ruiz, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Julia Espinoza, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
________________________________
Craig Hayes, City Attorney
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss
CITY OF SAN JACINTO )
CERTIFICATION
I, Julia Espinoza, City Clerk of the City of San Jacinto, do hereby certify
that the foregoing Resolution No. 4148 was duly passed, approved, and adopted
at the Regular Meeting of the San Jacinto City Council held on the 1st day of
September 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Ledezma, Sanchez, Ayala, Vandever, Ruiz
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL on the 1st day of September 2026.
______________________________
Julia Espinoza, City Clerk
City of San Jacinto
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EXHIBIT A
CITY OF SAN JACINTO CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND OUTREACH POLICY
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City of San Jacinto City Council
Public Participation and Outreach Policy
(Gov. Code § 54953.4(b)(3)(C))
1. Background
Senate Bill 707 (2025) amended the Brown Act to require eligible legislative bodies to
take certain actions to encourage residents, including those in underrepresented
communities and non-English-speaking communities, to participate in public meetings.
2. Purpose
This Policy establishes the reasonable efforts the City of San Jacinto City Council (“City
Council”) will take to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings
to attend its meetings under the Brown Act (Government Code § 54953.4(b)(3)(C)). This
Policy is intended to support inclusive public engagement while preserving the City
Council’s discretion to determine and adjust appropriate outreach methods based on local
needs, priorities, and available resources. By adopting this Policy, the City Council directs
and authorizes designated City staff to implement and administer these outreach efforts
consistent with the framework established by the City Council.
3. Identification of Outreach Recipients
Upon adoption of this Policy, City of San Jacinto (“City”) staff shall prepare and maintain
a list of organizations, media outlets, and other entities that may assist in expanding
awareness of the City Council’s meetings. This list may include, but is not limited to:
a. Media organizations that provide news coverage in the City’s jurisdiction,
including media organizations that serve non -English-speaking
communities; and
b. Community-based organizations such as good government groups, civil
rights organizations, civic engagement organizations, neighborhood
associations, and other community or cultural groups active in the City’s
jurisdiction, including organizations active in non-English-speaking
communities.
The list may be updated periodically as determined appropriate by the City Council or
designated staff.
4. Outreach Methods
Using the above list, designated City staff shall make reasonable efforts to invite groups
that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend City Council meeti ngs by
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utilizing one or more outreach methods reasonably calculated to reach those groups.
These methods may include direct distribution of meeting information through e -mail or
other notification systems; posting of meeting information on the City’s website or other
digital platforms; use of social media or electronic communications; and coordination with
media outlets or community organizations to share information about upcoming meetings.
Designated City staff may also consider partnerships with community-based
organizations or other stakeholders to help disseminate information to broader or
underrepresented audiences. Where feasible, outreach efforts may include the use of
multilingual communications, culturally relevan t messaging, or engagement through
media outlets serving diverse communities.
Nothing in this Policy, however, requires the use of any particular outreach method or the
provision of meeting information to every organization or group .
5. Role of Staff
The City Council hereby assigns responsibility for implementing and administering
outreach efforts to appropriate City staff, including but not limited to the City Manager,
City Clerk, communications staff, or their respective designees. Staff responsibilities may
include maintaining or updating outreach contact lists, preparing and distributing outreach
materials, coordinating with community organizations or media outlets, and
recommending outreach strategies for consideration by the City Council. Staff may also
assist in identifying opportunities to improve outreach based on experience, feedback, or
changes in community needs.
Designated City staff may select and adjust specific outreach recipients, methods,
communications, and administrative procedures without further City Council action,
provided that those actions remain consistent with this Policy and applicable law. This
delegation does not limit the City Council’s authority or responsibility as the eligible
legislative body under Government Code section 54953.4.
6. Documentation and Reporting
The City Council may request periodic summaries of outreach efforts for informational
purposes. Such summaries may include general descriptions of outreach activities
undertaken, categories of organizations or groups contacted, and observations regarding
participation or engagement trends. Reporting may be provided on a periodic basis as
determined by the City Council and is not intended to require detailed tracking of every
outreach activity.
7. Evaluation and Adjustment
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The City Council may periodically review its outreach practices and make adjustments as
appropriate. In doing so, it may consider factors such as community feedback,
participation levels, resource availability, and evolving communication practices.
Designated City staff may make administrative adjustments to outreach practices without
further City Council action, provided that those adjustments remain consistent with this
Policy and applicable law.
8. Discretion and Limitation
This Policy implements the City Council’s obligation to make reasonable outreach efforts
under Government Code section 54953.4(b)(3)(C). The City Council has broad discretion
in the choice of reasonable outreach efforts it makes. Consistent with Government Code
section 54953.4(b)(3)(C), no action shall be commenced or maintained against the City
Council arising from a failure to provide public meeting information to any specific group.
9. Additional Brown Act Public Access Requirements
In addition to the outreach efforts described in this Policy, the Brown Act establishes
additional public access requirements intended to support broad participation in public
meetings of eligible legislative bodies like the City Council. These requirements include,
among other things: provisions related to the translation of meeting agendas into
applicable languages (if applicable), the availability of a public meetings webpage with
specified information in required languages (if applicable), systems for requesting
agendas and meeting materials, and accommodations that facilitate public participation,
including assistance for interpretation.
10. Review and Updates
This Policy may be amended by the City Council at a public meeting in open session.
Designated City staff may revise outreach contact lists, methods, communications, and
administrative procedures without a formal amendment to this Policy, provided that those
revisions remain consistent with this Policy and applicable law.
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