Residents seeking the return of public comments in Redwood City

The couple has become particularly invested in council proceedings because of the proposed major life science campus redevelopment proposed near their home — a process they feel has restricted public participation. However, the need for virtual public comment extends beyond their own personal needs, they said. 

“Gradual erosion of public participation further erodes public trust in government,” Nina Goodale said. “Excluding public comment in the way it is being done really does close that window of participation that’s really essential in policy making.” 

Community members are encouraged to take part in shaping local decisions by speaking in person or by reaching out by emailing the city at council@redwoodcity.org ahead of meetings, City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz said in a statement. 

“We prioritize creating a safe and respectful environment for civic engagement,” Stevenson Diaz wrote. “We will continue to uphold practices that foster constructive decision making by the City Council and protect the integrity of the public process.” 

While the city allows for public comment by other means, many residents can face difficulties in finding the time, energy and ability to attend meetings in person, Steven Goodale said. 

“On days of meetings, having to get everything organized and get ready and go there and wait for hours is a big imposition and a lot of people aren’t going to do that,” Steven Goodale said, noting that many meetings last longer than two hours. 

Promoting a vocal constituency should be a priority of the council’s, Nina Goodale said, who feels that the national political climate demands more focus on local issues. 

“We elect these leaders to represent our voices, and if our voices are stifled or degraded by limiting the ability to participate, what do we have left here,” Nina Goodale said. “If in local government it’s stifled, what happens to broader participation?” 

The matter was most recently brought up at the council’s meeting Sept. 9, 2024, when councilmembers discussed revisions to its guide to communications and business, which includes its policies for public participation in meetings. Ultimately, the sitting mayor has the discretion to choose whether to allow for public comment. 

Former Mayor Jeff Gee discontinued virtual participation in September 2023 after abundant “Zoom bombings,” or hate-filled attacks by anonymous speakers. Gee was still the sitting mayor at the most recent council discussion, but Elmer Martínez Saballos is now responsible for revisiting the conversation. 

"While it was reasonable to adjust remote participation previously, I’m personally interested in revisiting virtual public comment in a way that will encourage more participation from our neighbors who can’t engage with us in-person through a format that fosters transparency and inclusive participation for all," Martínez Saballos said in a statement. 

In response to concerns about Zoom bombings or misconduct online through virtual comment, Nina and Steven Goodale said there are many examples in nearby cities of the participation vehicle maintained and kept civil.

Redwood City is only one of three cities in the county that does not allow virtual public comment to be made at its council meetings, limiting them to in-person or via email ahead of meeting time. San Bruno and South San Francisco are the other two.