On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, Santa Barbara City Council stopped accepting public comments remotely over Zoom, citing racist comments made remotely at the previous week's meeting as the reason for the decision. There was no notice given, and many who intended to speak remotely at the November 7th meeting were left without the ability to do so.

While we do not believe the intent of this decision was to limit public input, that is ultimately the effect. City Council meetings are generally 2pm Tuesdays - most people are at work or school then. Removing remote public comment is also more likely to impact low-income residents, parents who need to pick up their children from school or don’t have childcare, and people with mobility limitations or health conditions who are unable to attend meetings in person. 

Additionally, in-person meetings can take hours out of someone’s day; having the ability to participate remotely allows those who have competing responsibilities to manage other tasks while waiting to speak. 

While the City of Santa Barbara claims to prioritize public outreach, eliminating virtual public comment reneges on that promise. 

We acknowledge how remarks like those made at the previous meeting are harmful, but there are other ways we can hold people accountable virtually. The content of the comments was the issue, not the medium. 

If the city insists on having city council meetings at 2pm, a time when most working people, parents, and students are unavailable, the least they can do is provide the opportunity for virtual public comment. Remote public comment enables everyone in our community to have their voice heard and is central to the democratic process; banning it due to a few offensive comments is a completely inequitable decision.

For more information, see this news article: https://www.noozhawk.com/feud-erupts-amid-decision-to-end-remote-public-comment-during-santa-barbara-council-meetings/

Please note that submitting this form will send text written in the "Subject: Restore Remote Public Comment at City Council Meetings" field as an email, from you, addressed to: 

• Mayor Randy Rowse (RRowse@SantaBarbaraCA.gov)

• Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez (OGutierrez@SantaBarbaraCA.gov)

• Councilmember Mike Jordan (MJordan@SantaBarbaraCA.gov)

• Councilmember Megan Harmon (MHarmon@SantaBarbaraCA.gov)

• Councilmember Kristen Sneddon (KSneddon@SantaBarbaraCA.gov)

• Councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez (AlGutierrez@SantaBarbaraCA.gov)

• Councilmember Eric Friedman (EFriedman@SantaBarbaraCA.gov)

as well as the genereal SBCityCouncil@SantaBarbaraCA.gov email address. Your email address will also be cc'd.