TITLE:
title
DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF ELIMINATING PUBLIC COMMENTS VIA ZOOM FOR CITY MEETINGS
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DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE/CITY CLERK DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: BRENDA GREEN, CITY CLERK
CONTACT INFORMATION: BRENDA GREEN, CITY CLERK (714) 754-5221
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Per the request of Council Member Gameros', discuss the possibility of eliminating public comments via Zoom for City meetings.
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BACKGROUND:
On March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Newsom issued executive orders that temporarily relaxed some provisions of the Brown Act that allowed municipal bodies to hold virtual meetings via teleconference or videoconference, provided they ensured public access and participation through those platforms.
The City of Costa Mesa deployed Zoom for the first time at the May 5, 2020 City Council meeting as a way for the public to engage with its elected officials and participate in municipal meetings during the pandemic time. The City to this date has continued to provide Zoom as an avenue for members of the public to provide public comments virtually for City Council and Commission meetings.
ANALYSIS:
At the June 3, 2025 City Council meeting, Council Member Gameros requested staff to agendize an item to discuss the elimination of public comments via Zoom, and allow public comments in person only.
Staff conducted a survey of Orange County cities and 9 out of 34 cities stream via Zoom. Out of the 9 cities that stream via Zoom, 7 allow public comments via Zoom (survey attached).
While the City is not required to provide remote participation or comment when all members of the Council or a city commission are present at a noticed meeting, changes to the Brown Act made at the time that options for remote participation by officials at legislative meetings were expanded may require that remote participation and comment be provided at particular meetings. For example, if th...
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