Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to limit verbal public comments through end of year

The County of Sonoma will allow public comments to be made only in person or via email for Board of Supervisors meetings, as well as meetings for the Board of Directors for Sonoma Water and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District  through the end of 2023.

Members of the public who wish to address the Board during meetings, normally held on Tuesdays beginning at 8:30 a.m., must attend in person in the Board Chambers at 575 Administration Drive, Room 100A in Santa Rosa. Members of the public may watch or listen to the meeting on Legistar, Zoom or phone, but will not be able to comment virtually. The public is also invited to submit comments to bos@sonoma-county.org.

The change is due to the escalating challenges of maintaining civility among those who participate in the Public Comment portion of the Board meeting via Zoom. During the break, county staff will continue exploring options for how to curtail such Zoom-bombing in the future.

“We will take a break from virtual comments while we try to figure out a solution to the racism, the antisemitism and the hate that has been spread online by bad actors over the last several weeks,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “Until we have a better way of doing that, we will only allow public comment within the Board Chambers.”

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors sits as the governing board of Sonoma County and of various special jurisdictions such as the Sonoma County Water Agency and the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. This change will apply to meetings for these agencies as well.

Members of the public may watch or listen to the meetings using one of the three following methods:

1. Watch the livestream:
   • https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/Calendar.
   • Once the meeting has started, click the “In Progress” hyperlink to begin viewing.

2. Watch in Zoom:
   • Participate by computer, tablet, or smartphone application:
   • Go to: https://sonomacounty.zoom.us/j/95953003079?pwd=TGhKdVJEeWlUbDJxSzVpY1U2VmxOUT09 
   • Enter meeting ID: 959 5300 3079
   • Enter Password: 919371

3. Listen through Zoom by phone:
   • Dial: +1 (669) 900 9128
   • Enter meeting ID: 959 5300 3079
   • Enter password: 919371

Spanish translation will be available through Zoom.

The Board of Supervisors has adopted rules of procedures which include a commitment to civility. To assure civility in its public meetings, the public is encouraged to engage in respectful dialog that supports freedom of speech and values diversity of opinion. Board members, staff and members of the public are expected to establish and maintain a cordial and respectful atmosphere during discussions and foster meaningful dialogue free of personal attacks. Members of the public must also adhere to the speaking time limit.

Agenda for future board meetings will be available here.

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Media Contact: 
Matt Brown, Communications Specialist 
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-3040
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A\
Santa Rosa, CA 95403