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Hermosa Beach Council restores 3-minute public comments, reauthorizes remote participation and agenda-only visual aids
Summary
After hours of debate and public testimony, Hermosa Beach City Council on Aug. 26 voted to restore 3-minute general public comments, allow remote participation, drop the 30-minute cap and permit visual aids for agendized items (submitted 24 hours ahead). Two councilmembers voted no.
Hermosa Beach City Council voted Aug. 26 to roll back rules that had limited the general public comment period to two minutes and had suspended remote (Zoom) participation. The council amended Resolution RES24-7414 to return speakers to 3 minutes each, eliminate the 30-minute council-wide cap, restore a virtual participation option for general public comment and allow visual aids for agenda items if provided to the city clerk at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Councilmember Michael Francois moved the measure after a lengthy staff presentation on the city's prior changes and extensive public comment for and against the proposal. "I strongly support this," Francois said, arguing the change would expand access for people who cannot attend in person. Mayor Seaman, who seconded aspects of the amendment and emphasized safeguards, added that visual aids are intended only to illustrate public comments, not to supply determinative evidence for a council decision.
Staff explained the city had adopted the narrower rules in February 2024 (RES24-7414) following security issues, including a coordinated "Zoom bombing" attack that targeted a public comment period. City staff noted the state no longer requires remote participation absent specific circumstances, and the city's prior changes were discretionary. City Attorney Jason Baltimore advised the council that the First Amendment and the Brown Act limit how the city can regulate speech and anonymity, so staff will adopt procedures to screen visual aids and respond to inappropriate content.
Public presenters were divided. Several residents and longtime public speakers urged restoration of Zoom and longer comments to increase accessibility for parents, people with mobility issues and those unable to attend in person. Others, including councilmembers who opposed returning to broader virtual participation, cited the prior Zoom abuse and said agenda-only virtual participation reduces risk.
The motion passed on a roll-call vote. Clerk read the results: the amendment to RES24-7414 carried, with Mayor Pro Tem De Toit and Councilmember Ray Jackson recorded as the two no votes. The council preserved the second public comment period later in the agenda and added a new slot for informational items after that opportunity so routine reports can be published without formal action.
What happens next: the council directed staff to update council procedures and bring formal language back for adoption. The changes will take effect across city boards and commissions once the implementing resolution is finalized and adopted.
