Coronado residents will be able to attend City Council meetings via two-way phone calls and online broadcasts beginning July 1 in compliance with a new state law designed to increase government openness.
The measure, SB 707, requires cities to provide for remote public comment and establish meeting disruption policies.
These changes ensure that the public has a consistent, well-publicized path to participate, and that our infrastructure can reliably support it.
City Clerk Kelsea Holian
“These changes ensure that the public has a consistent, well-publicized path to participate, and that our infrastructure can reliably support it,” said City Clerk Kelsea Holian.
For virtual viewing options, a second monitor will be installed in the council chambers in order to allow remote participation by council members as they have to be seen at all times during the meeting.
There will also be clear instructions on the city website on how to attend and participate in meetings over Zoom or in person.
City staff will be configuring Zoom as a webinar, meaning it gives staff full control over what comes in and out, said Holian, to avoid intrusive calls or videos by uninvited users.
If there is a meeting disruption – a failure of the city’s designated remote-access method that prevents public observation or comment – the city is required to recess for up to one hour while staff tries to restore access.
If it isn’t fixed and it is found through a roll call vote that the public is interested in continuing the meeting regardless of remote access, the meeting is allowed to carry on.
In addition, IT staff must be present in City Hall for the duration of each meeting to monitor and troubleshoot as needed.
SB 707 also has a translation clause, and while Coronado is not legally required to translate meeting agendas – as no non-English speaking demographic meets the 20% threshold – city staff proposed a public notice board to expand outreach.
The public can post their own translated agendas, though the city will not review, verify or endorse the translations.
Other changes
While looking into SB 707 requirements, city staff found other issues for City Council consideration.
Holian suggested repealing and replacing an old policy regarding oral and written communications. She said that policy was adopted in 1995 and no longer applies to modern-day council sessions.
She proposed new rules that require speakers to sign up prior to addressing the council. They also would have to submit electronic presentations at least 24 hours prior to a meeting. And groups would not be allowed to monopolize the podium by sharing or rotating through a single presentation.
Council members voted unanimously to approve all the changes.
