PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 10/21/2024
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER EXTENDING THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT BY ZOOM AND TELEPHONE FOR CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS THROUGH APRIL 30, 2025
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize by Minute Order
BODY
COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS
This item is not an item in the City Council Priority Workplan but is necessary to conduct orderly public meetings.
BACKGROUND
Public agencies across California, including neighboring cities in the East Bay region, continue to experience a barrage of hate speech through remote public comments during public meetings known as "Zoom Bombing." The volume of these comments is disruptive and prevents cities and other public agencies from conducting orderly public meetings.
On October 12, 2023, the City Manager temporarily suspended all remote public comments by telephone and Zoom for the City Council and Planning Commission meetings scheduled during the remainder of October 2023. This action was subsequently affirmed by the San Pablo City Council by minute action vote on October 16, 2023, and the Council continued such suspension through the end of April 2024.
First Extension of Temporary Suspension
On April 2, 2024, the City Manager recommended further extension of the temporary suspension of all remote public comments by telephone and Zoom for the City Council and Planning Commission meetings scheduled through October 2024. This action was subsequently approved by the San Pablo City Council by minute action vote on April 15, 2024, and the Council continued such suspension through the end of October 2024.
Second Extension of Temporary Suspension
On October 3, 2024, in an effort to continue to better serve our San Pablo community and ensure that the City continues to conduct orderly public meetings, the City Manager again recommended extending the temp...
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