The Clayton City Council voted 4–1 on Jan. 7 to discontinue remote public comment via the Zoom-style hybrid link for council, planning commission and Budget & Audit Committee meetings while continuing to stream meetings live and accept written comments for the public record.

Supporters of keeping hybrid participation urged the council to preserve access for residents who cannot attend in person, citing caregivers, workers, people with disabilities and out-of-town residents. “There are families with children and people who have worked all day who need to navigate routines,” said Lauren Kindorf, a Clayton resident. Several other residents made similar appeals, including Terry Denslow, Scott Denslow and Jordan Tillman, who said virtual access materially increased community engagement.

City Manager Chris opened the agenda item by describing options ranging from full in-person meetings with streaming to a limited Zoom link used only for out-of-area consultants. He said the city attorney had advised that a streaming-only approach — with Zoom reserved for invited presenters — would preserve public access to meeting video while reducing the workload that comes with an advertised hybrid link.

Council members split along access and efficiency lines in debate. Council Member Tillman argued that removing remote public comment would reduce accessibility for working residents and those with caregiving or mobility constraints. Council Member Diaz and Council Member Enea supported returning to pre-pandemic practice, arguing the city should prioritize efficient meetings and reduce instances of abusive or off‑topic remote comment observed elsewhere. Vice Mayor Juan and Mayor Treviano sided with the motion to discontinue the open hybrid public‑comment link but keep live streaming and written public comment. Council Member Tillman cast the lone no vote.

Under the approved approach, the city will continue to stream meetings live and archive recordings; members of the public may still submit written comments to the city clerk for inclusion in the public record if received by 5:00 p.m. on meeting day. The Zoom link would no longer be advertised for general public comment but remain available as a presentation tool for nonlocal consultants or invited participants.

Public testimony on the item was extensive: more than a dozen residents called or spoke in person in favor of continuing hybrid options and described concrete access barriers that would result if remote comment were eliminated. City staff and some council members said the meeting agenda and staff resources also factor into performance and that written submissions are forwarded to council members prior to meetings.

The change takes effect immediately for the bodies named on the agenda item. City staff said they would publish instructions for submitting written comments and clarify how invited remote presenters could request access.

Votes at a glance: Motion to discontinue hybrid public comment while retaining live streaming and written comment — approved, 4–1.