MARGATE – Members of the public have repeatedly asked the city to provide full access to public meetings online using Zoom or another technology platform. The city has been working toward implementing that request and hopes to soon have full access for the public, City Administrator Pat Moran has said.
The city has been providing access to meetings via Zoom with audio only; however, there was no opportunity for members of the public to ask questions or make statements. To weigh-in on topics that affect them, the public must attend meetings in person, which is problematic for “snowbirds” who flock to warmer climes during the winter months.
The city previously provided video of the Board of Commissioners meeting but discontinued it after an internet troll “zoom-bombed” the Aug. 17, 2023, meeting while engaged in a sex act.
Zoombombing is a form of cyberattack in which a hacker or troll Zooms into a meeting to cause disruption, often with antisemitic or pornographic content. Intruders gain access through links and passcodes that are publicly posted on municipal websites or social media so people can gain access.
Videoconferencing became a popular way for employers to continue business and governments to promote transparency during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the practice was well-received as a way to participate in the business of the people. Today Zoom boasts more than 300 million Zoom users daily. Other online platforms developed, such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack and Facetime.
At the time, Police Chief Matthew Hankinson said there is no way to determine the identity of the intruder because trolls Zoom into meetings using easy to download VPNs (virtual private networks) that encrypt data into untraceable forms.
“They bounce off VPNs and can be coming from other parts of the world,” Hankinson said. “It happens all the time.”
Since that incident, the city has provided a Zoom monitor to keep attendees from turning on their video or audio features.
On Sept. 18, video of the meeting was again accessible, but there was still no opportunity for interaction between the board and the public. The video was recorded and posted on the city’s website.
Over the last several months, the city purchased and installed new video cameras and microphones, and staff members are being trained on how to use the new system, Moran said. The city may have to expand its subscription to include live streaming.
“We hope to start using the chat feature for comments and questions,” he said. Any questions that can’t be addressed at the meeting will be forwarded to the appropriate department for answers.
Moran explained that the installation of new equipment was mainly to benefit the court system, but that the upgraded equipment would also allow the city to offer enhanced public participation via an online platform. Moran said the courtroom’s previous audio system was not operational and that the state requires specific types of equipment to accommodate court proceedings.
The board passed a resolution April 17 awarding a contract to purchase new audio-visual equipment, supplies and services for Commission Chambers, which also serves as the municipal courtroom.
The city used the interlocal cooperative pricing system to award a $74,600 contract to BIS Digital of Boca Raton, Florida, to install new audio-visual equipment in the courtroom. According to the resolution, the project was purchased using several line items of the budget dealing with technology, computer equipment and supplies, and for the municipal court.
In neighboring Ventnor, the commission allows public comments via the Zoom platform and in Longport, citizens can listen in, but they may not comment via the Go To Meeting platform.
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