Editor,
With the Dec. 1 rotation of the San Mateo City Council giving us a new mayor for 2026, it seems a fine time to revisit an important topic: Allowing special interests direct access to our councilmembers while they are on the dais — via their cellphones.
Members of the public previously complained since it was relatively common knowledge that special interest “regulars” would text councilmembers during City Council meetings.
There is nothing like being a member of the public with an important issue on the agenda only to know someone else has your representative’s ear … or voice? Nasty business, that’s for sure.
This matter was taken up when complaints were lodged and while I can’t recall the exact outcome, the public’s request that cellphones be banned on the dais did not happen.
The city talks about transparency. Let’s see someone walk the talk to kick off the new year. It’s time to put the cellphone ban back on the agenda.
Lisa Taner
San Mateo
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(11) comments
Thank you Lisa for bringing this up. Ethics San Mateo included a text/messaging ban in our recommendations regarding the Code of Conduct. It was discussed at the Blue Sky session but failed to gain traction.This is on top of our list for this years pestering. It should include ALL forms of communications that are not displayed to the public while council and commission meetings are in session. There are many easy ways to deal with "emergency" personal call/messages.
if I RECALL, a former San Mateo mayor saw their political career derailed by the “Envelope-Gate” scandal—an episode that cast a long shadow over our city and eroded public trust.
We should be doing everything possible to avoid a modern-day “Text-Gate” scandal that could once again undermine confidence in our political system and the integrity of our civic governance.
Transparency isn’t optional; it’s essential.
The second half of this link points to Brown Act concerns on this topic. "...the use of texting during city council meetings seems to be a growing problem in California, and would seem to undermine both the spirit, if not the law, of the Brown Act and Public Records Act. Under the Brown Act, which is California’s public meeting law, a violation of that law may occur when a series of communications of any kind, directly or through intermediaries, is used by a majority of the members of an agency to discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item of business that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. - Gov. Code section 54952.2(b)(1).
Full link: https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/asked-and-answered/councilmembers-texting-during-meeting-a-brown-act-violation/
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your thoughts re cellphone usage on the dais. I choose to keep my phone in my tote bag during the meeting, and a few times have left it at home by mistake. While I don't find it necessary to have my phone with me during the meetings, there may be valid reasons people have (eg kids and/or elder family members need to reach them) or invalid reasons too (that may differ depending on who is looking at the situation). Though my phone is away, I do have my laptop out with notes, and will sometimes quickly look something up as someone is raising a point. Others may prefer to use their phone to look up/research versus their laptop. Just bringing another POV in.
It's easy! Perhaps there can be an emergency number for family members that a staff person can be tasked with manning.
Ms.. Taner - Thanks for the head up! Common sense, and another effort to retore integrity to local government. .
Think the Council should do something about this? Email them at citycouncil@cityofsanmateo.org.
I brought this issue up before. Texting during public comment is a violation of the Brown Act. All statements made during a council meeting should be a matter of public record. All Council members and commissioners were notified it is considered an infraction to text during a council meeting, by the former City Clerk who previously over sees the Commissioners.
I forgot to ad that council members texts have been subpoenaed in previous years, and city hall was quick to stop this potential exposure for our city in any lawsuits or legal proceedings. Council members and commissioners should be made aware.
Anna - isn't it also incredibly rude? People in the audience take the time to sit through these protracted meetings and then some yokel gets the attention by calling in?
To Dirk van Ulden: It is beyond rude. These private texts during public comment are a silent platform to ridicule and belittle speakers at the podium. There was one commissioner in particular who bragged about his tight relationship with a council member and how they would make jokes about the person speaking at the microphone. That's why I filed a complaint with city hall. All speakers deserve the full attention and respect of the council members. Council members work to the will of the people.
Welcome to the discussion.
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