The City of Colton says the hybrid participation option began July 1, 2026, as part of the city’s implementation of California Senate Bill 707. Remote speakers must register before the meeting, receive access instructions by email and call in on the meeting day to participate.

How to register

People who want to use the remote public-comment option must register through Colton’s public-comment portal before the meeting. The registration form asks participants to select the agenda item they want to address.

Someone who wants to discuss a consent-calendar item or a subject not listed on the agenda must select the option labeled “Consent Calendar item or Non-Agenda Public Comment.” The city encourages members of the public to review the agenda before registering.

After the form is submitted, the confirmation email provides meeting information and instructions for calling in. Watching a meeting remotely and speaking during public comment are separate steps: remote viewing alone does not place someone in the public-comment queue.

What remote speakers need to do

On the meeting day, registered speakers must call the number provided by the city and enter the meeting code. Colton’s public-meeting page currently lists (909) 639-4194 as the call-in number and 8444 as the meeting code.

Those details should be treated as subject to change. Participants should rely on the confirmation email and the city’s current meeting materials for the instructions tied to a specific meeting.

Public comments are limited to three minutes. Speakers must begin by stating their name and city of residence. The city also says the City Council cannot respond to or take action on a matter raised during public comment if that matter is not already on the agenda.

When City Council meets

Colton City Council meetings are generally scheduled for the first and third Tuesday of each month. Closed session typically begins at 5 p.m., followed by open session at 6 p.m., although the current agenda controls the schedule.

The city says agendas are generally posted at least 72 hours before a regular meeting and 24 hours before a special meeting. Residents should check the current agenda before registering because it identifies the subjects scheduled for council consideration and may contain meeting-specific instructions.

Where to check the latest information

Current meeting dates, agendas and available meeting documents are posted on Colton’s Agendas & Minutes page. The city’s public-meeting information page also provides the registration procedure and general speaking rules.

What the change means for residents

The remote option gives Colton residents a way to observe and address the City Council without traveling to City Hall. It may help people managing work schedules, transportation limits, caregiving responsibilities or accessibility concerns, while leaving the city’s existing public-comment rules in place.

Residents who plan to speak should register in advance, identify the subject they want to address and keep the confirmation email available on the meeting day. The city’s current agenda and meeting-specific instructions should be treated as the final authority for dates, access details and participation procedures.

Sources

• City of Colton: Public Meeting Information (SB707)
• California Legislative Information: SB 707

Quick start: what changes in July 2026

• Zoom/phone public comment: Modesto says members of the public can provide public comment on Zoom and by telephone starting July 1, 2026.
• Spanish agendas: Modesto says City Council meeting agendas will be posted in Spanish online and on a posting board outside City Hall.
• Resident translations: A public bulletin board near the 10th Street entrance will let community members post their own Spanish agenda translations.
• Interpretation/accessibility requests: The city says residents can request interpreters and accessibility modifications through the City Clerk’s Office 48 hours in advance.

How to give public comment remotely (Zoom or telephone)

For meetings where remote public comment is offered under the city’s participation instructions, Modesto’s workflow is designed to manage the queue and unmute speakers when it’s your turn:

• Zoom (computer or smartphone): click the “Raise Hand” feature in the webinar controls. City staff will unmute your microphone when it’s your turn. You’ll have three minutes to provide public comment, and you’ll be muted again after your comment ends.
• Telephone (no app): dial *9 (star 9) to “raise your hand.” Staff will unmute your microphone when it’s your turn, and you’ll have three minutes to provide public comment. If you’re unmuted and can’t be heard, the host may ask you to dial *6 to toggle mute on/off in Zoom.

Before you plan to speak: Modesto pages don’t all say the same thing

Some readers may notice a tension between city pages. Modesto’s Meeting Information page says: “Public Comment will only be in-person.” Meanwhile, Modesto’s City Council Agendas & Minutes instructions say that starting July 1, 2026, members of the public can provide public comment on Zoom and by telephone.

Practical takeaway: for the meeting you’re attending, follow the participation instructions tied to that meeting/agenda. If you’re trying to speak remotely or need interpretation/accessibility support, it’s also smart to contact the City Clerk’s Office early.

Spanish agenda access: where you can find it

Modesto’s SB 707 notice describes a clear, physical-and-digital approach to language access:

• The City Clerk’s Office will post City Council meeting agendas in Spanish online and on a posting board outside City Hall.
• A public bulletin board will be available near the 10th Street entrance at City Hall where community members may post their own Spanish translations of the agendas.

Interpretation and accessibility: request it 48 hours ahead

Modesto says it will continue offering interpretation services, including live translation through Wordly.

For residents who need in-person interpreter services and/or accessibility modifications, the city says to request them through the City Clerk’s Office 48 hours prior to the meeting. Modesto’s instructions list both:

• Phone: 209-577-5396
• Email: cityclerk@modestogov.com

Want to submit a written comment instead?

Even if you don’t speak live, Modesto’s instructions say written public comments can be emailed in and are included in the official record:

• Email: councilmeetings@modestogov.com (include the agenda item number in the subject line)
• Deadline: written comments must be received two hours before the meeting
• What happens next: Modesto says comments will be shared with councilmembers and placed in the record, but will not be read aloud during the meeting

SB 707 in plain English (why Modesto is doing this)

SB 707 is California’s Brown Act modernization effort that adds additional public-meeting requirements for eligible local bodies starting July 1, 2026 and running until January 1, 2030.

In plain terms, the bill requires eligible legislative bodies to:

• Provide an opportunity for the public to attend via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform.
• Translate the agenda into applicable languages and post those translations.
• Make a physical location available where members of the public can post additional translations.

If you’re a renter, homeowner, parent, commuter, or local business owner who depends on City Council decisions—zoning, public services, and budgets—SB 707 is essentially about reducing barriers to participation. In Modesto’s implementation, that means planning ahead for remote comment options (where offered), Spanish agenda materials, and interpreter/accessibility requests.

Sources

• Modesto CivicSend SB 707 implementation notice
• California LegInfo — SB 707 bill text

If you plan to participate virtually, the exact “how to speak” steps and deadlines matter—so this guide pulls the City’s instructions into one place.

What SB 707 requires (and why the date is July 1, 2026)

SB 707 requires eligible local agencies to provide an opportunity for the public to attend via a 2-way telephonic service or a 2-way audiovisual platform beginning July 1, 2026. The bill also includes translation and interpretation-related requirements and directs agencies to publicize how residents can request assistance.

What’s changing in Modesto City Council participation in July 2026

In its SB 707 update, the City says residents will be able to join public comment periods virtually through Zoom, including Public Comment, Discussion items, Public Hearings, and comments for Closed Session items. The City also says meeting procedures are being updated so residents can participate remotely by Zoom or phone starting July 1, 2026.

For residents, the practical changes are mostly about the “participate and speak” workflow: using Zoom “Raise Hand,” using phone key commands, submitting emails with the right timing, and requesting language/accessibility help early enough.

How to speak on Zoom (computer or smartphone)

The City’s instructions for Zoom public comment are straightforward:

• Click the “Raise Hand” feature in the webinar controls.
• City staff will unmute your microphone when it’s your turn.
• After you’re unmuted, you’ll have three minutes to provide public comment.
• After your comment ends, you’ll be muted again.

Plan ahead: the City notes that public participation procedures can depend on the agenda item and meeting timing, so check the participation instructions for the specific meeting you plan to attend.

How to speak by regular phone: dial *9 (and *6 if needed)

If you’re calling in instead of using Zoom, Modesto’s instructions use phone key commands:

• Dial *9 (star 9) to notify staff that you’ve “raised your hand” for public comment.
• City staff will unmute your line when it’s your turn.
• You’ll hear “you are unmuted” and then have three minutes to speak.
• If you need it, the host may ask you to dial *6 to toggle mute on/off in Zoom.

Email public comment: submit early (and expect it not to be read aloud)

Modesto also accepts written public comment by email. According to the City, email comments:

• Are shared with City Councilmembers and placed in the public record.
• Will not be read aloud during the meeting.
• Must be received two hours before the meeting.

Spanish language support and interpretation: Wordly + 48-hour requests

The City says Spanish language access is built into the meeting process:

• Spanish agendas are posted both online and on the posting board outside City Hall.
• A public bulletin board is available near the 10th Street entrance for community members to post their own translations of City Council agendas.
• The City continues offering interpretation services, including live translation through Wordly.

For residents who need an in-person interpreter or other accessibility accommodations, Modesto instructs residents to request those 48 hours in advance through the City Clerk’s Office.

What residents should do next

• If you want to speak by Zoom or phone, review the City’s step-by-step participation instructions and note the three-minute time limit.
• If you plan to submit by email, make sure your comment is received at least two hours before the meeting.
• If you need interpretation or accessibility modifications, request help 48 hours ahead—especially for in-person interpreter needs.
• For each meeting, check the City’s posted participation instructions for that agenda date and item timing.

Sources

• Modesto City Council Agendas & Minutes: How to provide public comment
• California SB 707 bill text

What’s changing for residents

According to the City’s Office of the City Clerk, the new setup is designed to expand access to live public comment—so people can attend and speak remotely instead of only watching from home.

Long Beach says the implementation is built around SB 707 requirements, including two-way audiovisual access that supports automatic captioning, the expectation that remote commenters receive the same speaking time as in-person speakers, and “reasonable efforts” to accommodate interpretation needs.

When it starts: July 21, 2026

On the City Clerk’s Meetings page, Long Beach says this expanded virtual public-comment option begins with the July 21, 2026 City Council meeting. The City also says additional participation instructions will be published through the meeting agenda materials for each specific session.

How the two-way virtual option is expected to work

Long Beach Post reports that remote participants who want to speak will be routed through a Zoom webinar-style workflow. People who sign up are expected to join the live meeting feed (with captions). When it is time to speak, remote attendees are expected to use the “raise hand” feature so officials can tally speakers, and then be unmuted when called on.

Long Beach Post also reports that the City will use safeguards intended to limit disruptions, including preventing speakers from unmuting themselves or using the chat function.

How phone-in/calling users will participate

The City Clerk’s SB 707 modernization approach includes telephonic participation alongside audiovisual participation. Under the planned workflow described by Long Beach Post, callers are expected to sign up through a link on the City Council agenda, then join the live Zoom webinar flow and use the same raise-hand process when their turn comes.

What to know: as of June 27, 2026, Long Beach Post reported that some operational details were still being finalized ahead of the July 21 launch—such as how the City will prioritize and order speakers between people attending in person and people calling in remotely.

Access safeguards and request timelines

The City Clerk’s guide says Spanish interpretation is available for all City Council meetings. For oral language interpretation for non-English speakers (and certain other ADA-related accommodations), the City directs residents to request help by phone at least 72 business hours before the meeting.

Long Beach’s City Manager memo on SB 707 implementation also points to SB 707 disruption expectations. It says the Council must recess for at least one hour if a disruption prevents the public from attending, observing, or commenting in real time—while staff make good-faith efforts to restore access.

On speaking time, the City Clerk’s guide explains that for public comment, speakers generally get 3 minutes each; if 10 or more speakers sign up, the time is limited to 90 seconds or less (determined by the Chair). The City Manager memo also emphasizes that remote commenters must receive the same speaking time as in-person speakers.

What to do next

• Find the specific City Council meeting you plan to attend—starting with the July 21 session.
• Open the agenda materials in the City Clerk’s OneMeeting public portal and look for the remote/public-comment sign-up link.
• Sign up ahead of time, then join the live Zoom webinar/call-in workflow when the meeting starts.
• If you need language access, submit your interpretation request in time—72 business hours before the meeting, as the City guide advises.
• If technical problems come up, be prepared for a recess while staff try to restore public access—per the SB 707 disruption expectations described by the City.

Bottom line: beginning July 21, Long Beach says it will restore live remote public comment for City Council meetings under SB 707—using both phone-in and two-way audiovisual access, with sign-up steps published with each meeting’s agenda.

Sources

• City of Long Beach City Clerk — City Council meetings & remote public comment (Meetings page)
• Long Beach Post — Phone-in/virtual public comment details for July 21 launch

The update is tied to California’s SB 707. The City Clerk says remote commenters will be able to use either a two-way audiovisual option or a two-way telephonic option for live comment. (More “participation instructions and meeting procedures” will be posted closer to the date.)

What changes for public comment on July 21

Long Beach’s City Clerk is framing the July 21 start as “new ways to engage,” noting that SB 707 requires cities to provide an opportunity for the public to participate remotely and give live comment.

For Long Beach, that means live remote public comment through either:

• a two-way audiovisual platform, or
• a two-way telephonic option.

What SB 707 requires—and why it matters

SB 707 is designed to ensure remote access is real, not just symbolic. In particular, it requires that:

• Meetings include an opportunity for the public to attend remotely via two-way telephonic or audiovisual participation (with an exception if adequate service isn’t operational at the meeting location during a given portion of the meeting).
• When the city provides the two-way remote options, remote speakers get the same time allotment as someone attending in person.

If phone or internet breaks during the meeting

SB 707 also sets a formal disruption framework that local agencies must adopt. Specifically, it requires an eligible legislative body to approve—at a noticed public meeting in open session, not on the consent calendar—a disruption policy by on or before July 1, 2026.

That SB 707 disruption policy must cover:

• Procedures for recessing and reconvening if telephonic or internet service is disrupted.
• Efforts the body will make to attempt to restore the service.

If the disruption prevents members of the public from attending or observing via the two-way remote options during the meeting, SB 707 directs the legislative body to recess the open session for at least one hour and make a good-faith attempt to restore service (with the option to meet in closed session during that period). If service still isn’t restored, SB 707 also requires a roll-call finding before reconvening.

What Long Beach’s June 16 agenda tells residents

On June 16, 2026, the Long Beach City Council agenda included item 26-55463: a recommendation to adopt a resolution establishing a policy addressing disruptions to telephonic and internet service during City Council meetings.

In other words: the City is aligning its local disruption policy with what SB 707 requires—so if your phone or internet connection fails mid-meeting, the City’s adopted disruption policy (and SB 707’s minimum standards) will determine what happens next.

What to do now (especially if you comment from home)

As July 21 approaches, Long Beach says it will post additional participation instructions. If you plan to comment remotely, it’s smart to:

• Check the City Clerk’s meeting participation instructions as the July meeting gets closer.
• Have a backup plan in case your call-in or internet connection is unstable—SB 707 contemplates disruptions, and they can affect the timing of when remote access resumes.

Sources

• Long Beach City Clerk — Meetings page (virtual public comment instructions/timing)
• Long Beach City Council agenda for June 16, 2026 (Swagit event page; City Clerk disruption-policy item 26-55463)
• California Legislative Information — SB 707 (bill text and official legislative details)