Abatement Appeals Board unanimously keeps remote public comment option

The Abatement Appeals Board voted unanimously Jan. 17 to continue allowing remote public comment for its meetings, citing accessibility and accommodation concerns.

Board members discussed whether to adopt the Board of Supervisors' more restrictive remote-comment policy and concluded the Abatement Appeals Board should keep remote access. Commissioner Alexander Toot moved to continue remote public comment; Commissioner Chavez seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.

Why it mattered: commissioners said keeping remote participation helps people with disabilities and makes the meeting more accessible. Commissioner Chavez said the Board of Supervisors acted after disruptive remote comments in other venues, but the Abatement Appeals Board’s experience had not shown the same problem: "we should be encouraging remote public comment or any public comment and if remote public comment is what's feasible and possible for the public and it makes it easier we should be encouraging it rather than restricting it," she said.

What was decided: the board adopted a motion to continue remote public comment without change. The motion passed on a roll call with all present voting yes.

What happens next: the board will continue to use its existing remote comment procedures (phone/WebEx) and monitor whether changes are needed if disruptive behavior occurs in the future.