Administrative
Report
N.4., File # 23-6928 Meeting Date: 10/3/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO THE USE OF ONLINE AND TELEPHONIC
PARTICIPATION FEATURES THAT ALLOW FOR REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT AT CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City was proactive in seeking tools to facilitate opportunities for public participation at City Council meetings while adhering to the public health restrictions of the time. The online and telephonic meeting participation tools are still in place and provide the public an opportunity to participate in City Council and Commission meetings remotely.
The use of these tools has diminished over the past year, as the public has become more comfortable participating in-person.
In recent months, jurisdictions across California, including some of our neighboring cities, have been dealing with individuals/groups that are misusing these remote public comment tools to spread hate speech that is unrelated to City business. In response to these disruptions, some agencies are suspending the use of their telephonic and online remote public comment tools.
The City of Redondo Beach has yet to experience the disruption caused in other communities. This item provides the City Council with an opportunity to discuss whether or not to continue the use of these tools, before such incidents occur.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated by the City Manager’s Office and the City Clerk’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Publications Detailing Issues with Online and Telephonic Meeting Tools · City Council Administrative Report - March 17, 2020
N.4., File # 23-6928 Meeting Date: 10/3/2023