Brentwood Could Tweak its Virtual Public Comment Policy

At its February 13 meeting, the Brentwood City Council will reconsider its stance to potentially allow virtual public comments.

The item was requested to come back for discussion by Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer at the January 23 meeting where she stated:

“I think its time to talk about it again, even if it means we consider and have public comments on Zoom at the end of a meeting as opposed to the beginning so that there is still some level of protection. Given the response we have been getting just from one person, we get it from multiple… I just think its time to have this discussion again,” stated Meyer.

Back in October, the Brentwood City Council tweaked its policy on virtual comments after Brentwood was forced to take up the issue of virtual public comments as they were the target of vile, racist, and offensive hate speech at its Sept. 26 meeting—much like many other cities have experienced in over the past year. Brentwood came out and condemned the attack.

At the October meeting, the council agreed to the new policy:

1. General Public Comments – in person will be allowed at the beginning of the meeting. No Zoom.
2. Agenda Items – will continue with both in person and virtual comments— comments will be limited to the agenda item, or be cut off—off topic and hate speech cut off.
3. End of Meeting General Public Comments – reserved to in-person or virtual comments.

Meyer added at the January 23 meeting, the council said the new policy could look different but wanted to have a discussion on zoom vs. in-person during the full meeting.

Brentwood City Council Meeting
Zoom Webinar ID: 760 1397 0037
February 13, 2024 at 7:00 P.m.
City Council Chambers, 150 City Park Way
Brentwood, CA 94513
Agenda – click here

Related:

• Oct 11, 2023 – Brentwood Tweaks Policy on Zoom Public Comments
• Oct 4, 2023 – Walnut Creek Opts to End Zoom Public Comments
• Sept. 29 – El Cerrito to Suspend Zoom Public Comments After Antisemitic Comments
• Sept. 27 – Brentwood City Council Meeting Targeted by Hate Speech
• On Sept 27, the Antioch City Council voted to continue doing away with teleconference meetings.
• On Sept. 20, the City of Sacramento issued a statement that council meetings are now done in person and have phased out virtual meetings and will hold in-person meetings for all its boards, commissions and committees.
• Over the past year, the City of Walnut Creek, San Jose, Richmond were the target of several people calling in spewing “hate”.
• Aug 31 – Temple Isaiah Hosts JCRC Here I Am Initiative to Unite Against Antisemitism
• June 22 – Walnut Creek Hate Speech Continues, Budget Passed With More Cops
• June 11 – Wilk Responds to Hate Speech at Walnut Creek Council Meeting
• June 8 – Walnut Creek City Council Meeting Targeted by Antisemitic Callers
• Oct 14 – Walnut Creek Councilman Calls out Antisemitic Flyers and Hate Speech
• May 16 – Danville Mayor Condemns Hate Speech Signs Displayed Over the Weekend