Laguna Beach to continue streaming meetings on Zoom through July

Laguna Beach City Council meetings will continue to be held over Zoom until July 28, following a split decision by members on Tuesday night.

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Dicterow and Councilwoman Toni Iseman voted against continuing to exclusively hold meetings on Zoom and were both in favor of holding a proposed hybrid format that would allow for people to come inside council chambers to speak on items if they choose to do so.

The public would be required to wear masks while inside.

Dicterow said the proposal to hold hybrid meetings does not mean the city plans to eliminate usage of Zoom but doing so would provide an option to members of the public. Dicterow added that it might become difficult if residents were looking to speak on more than one item, but he felt “if that is what people want to do, I think that is perfectly fine for them to do so.”

“Those who choose to Zoom can Zoom, but to assume that everybody wants to Zoom or who wants to participate is able to is assuming that everybody can Zoom successfully,” Iseman said, adding that city staff does not need to be present and can call in to allow for limited socially distanced seating.

Since April 7, the city has held meetings on Zoom, where residents can call in and participate as part of public discussion. The council meetings have also been livestreamed on the city’s website and are available to view on Cox cable Channel 852. A staff report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting said participation has tripled as the public becomes more familiar with the format.

Up for consideration Tuesday night was the possibility of continuing to hold meetings on Zoom through Sept. 7; holding hybrid Zoom and in-person meetings starting June 16 with face coverings and meeting social-distancing requirements; or relocating the City Council to another venue.

The Sept. 7 date was changed to July 28 as part of council action.

Speakers on the item were largely in favor of holding hybrid meetings, though some suggested that the city investigate the possibility of relocating City Council meetings to another location as a long-term consideration.

Mayor Bob Whalen and Councilwoman Sue Kempf said they were hesitant to return to council chambers, raising concerns about safety and wearing masks for prolonged periods of time. Councilman Peter Blake said he doesn’t intend to return to the dais until he can do so without wearing a mask.

“The guidance changes quickly. It may be that there are decisions made with in-person, indoor meetings and I think that’s a big distinction between Promenade on Forest,” Mayor Bob Whalen said. “Indoors and outdoors is for me, night and day ... I just don’t see enough benefit to [hybrid] unless I’m hearing that there are going to be more council members in the room.”

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