SANDPOINT — After discussing the matter with city staff and council Wednesday, Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm announced he will lift limitations on remote livestream viewers’ ability to speak during council meetings. 

The reversal comes less than two months after Grimm changed the policy to only allow remote comment from those with specific circumstances and with prior consent.

Going forward, remote viewers of meetings will be able to register to comment by filling out a form as they join the livestream.

Grimm originally implemented the restrictions after remote commenters made statements about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict that he viewed as disruptive in a May 15 meeting.

“I'm all for transparency,” Grimm said at the council’s July 3 meeting, in which he defended his policy change. “I'm not for opening up our community in this form to people from outside our community to come and spew hateful language and distract my ability to run the meeting.”

Several councilors then expressed dissatisfaction with the restrictions.

“To me, participation is what we need more of, not less of,” said Councilor Pam Duquette. 

President Deb Ruehle shared her experience with “Zoombombing,” a term for a disruptive intrusion into a livestream. “Being the longest-standing council member, the amount of times that we've actually been ‘bombed’ is very, very small compared to the number of hours that I've sat in these meetings over the years.”

“I'm willing, until it becomes problematic, to put ourselves out there to hear what people have to say,” added Ruehle.

Councilor Kyle Schreiber also opposed the restrictions. “I agree with those who think that a few bad actors shouldn't ruin it for the entire community,” Schreiber said. “Perhaps allowing them to do that is letting them win.”

Rick Howarth, the most recently appointed member of the council, provided a different perspective. “I do not hear an outpouring from the citizens that say ‘we cannot have our voice heard.’”

“If you want to impact my vote, come to this meeting; have a discussion; meet me afterward,” Haworth elaborated. “Face-to-face, to me, is much more impactful than somebody calling over Zoom.”

After hearing from the council, Grimm agreed to lift the restrictions going forward. It should be noted that remote public comment will not be available during land use hearings without prior approval, a rule that has long existed due to the difficult nature of confirming that a remote commenter is an affected party.

Livestreams of Sandpoint City Council meetings are available at sandpointidaho.gov/your-government/meetings. The council’s next regular meeting will be held July 17, 5:30 p.m., at Sandpoint City Hall, 1123 Lake St.