Clallam County weighs tighter rules, tech changes after disruptive virtual comments

Clallam County commissioners and staff discussed tightening rules and changing meeting technology on March 3 after several virtual interruptions, including obscene and racist content, interrupted recent public meetings.

County Administrator Todd Milke briefed the board that the incidents — often called “Zoom bombing” — had included pornographic video and racist audio that took over the county’s virtual meeting feed. He said those disruptions hinder the county’s ability to meet the Open Public Meetings Act’s purpose of allowing members of the public to address decision makers.

The discussion centered on short- and long-term responses. Short-term options included stricter registration and screening for anyone who wishes to speak, limiting remote participants to audio-only public comment, or buying webinar-style functionality that separates presenters from the audience. Long-term changes discussed included migrating from Zoom to Microsoft Teams webinar functionality already available under the county’s Microsoft license.

Deputy civil attorney Jay Rina told the board that legal practice requires any clarification about remote public comment be put into written policy or agreement: “We will need to have it in the written agreement to have that clarified,” he said. Dee, county counsel, noted the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.32.040) requires that the governing body provide an opportunity for public comment at or before regular meetings where final action is taken, and flagged the statute’s requirement to accommodate people with disabilities or limited mobility who cannot attend in person.

IT staff said temporary mitigations already in use — blocking participants from sharing video and profile pictures — had reduced incidents but did not eliminate them because the county occasionally needs to allow individuals to present slides or screens. City of Port Angeles staff described using Webex with “panelist” controls that let officials promote individuals to presenters during the meeting; the city said that approach has reduced disruptions. County IT said Teams webinar and Webex webinar offer similar separation but that a full migration would require coordination and training across departments and the courts.

Commissioners directed staff to return with a recommended short-term technical fix (for example, webinar functionality or registration plus screening) and with a plan and schedule to test and, if appropriate, transition to Teams webinar in the medium term. Several commissioners emphasized preserving meaningful remote access — especially for residents in remote areas and people with mobility limitations — while protecting meetings from abuse.

The board did not take a final vote; staff will return with options and a draft policy.