In a reversal of a policy born from scandal, the Stockton City Council unanimously approved the use of City-issued tablets with limited functions in closed sessions meetings, easing a ban reinforced last year following a grand jury probe into a “damaging leak.”
The 7–0 vote adopted amendments to a council policy authorizing tablets that can display city-uploaded documents but cannot transmit or receive outside information. The move marks a significant shift from the resolution, which barred all electronic devices in closed sessions “to uphold confidentiality.”
The change, agendized by Mayor Christina Fugazi and presented by assistant city attorney Taryn Jones drew no dissent on the dais.
“As technology became more prevalent, entities recognized the need to address the use of electronic devices during public meetings and did so in a variety of ways including outright bans, discouraging such use, and requiring disclosure during the meeting in real time,” city documents say. “It was clear that in this new age of technology, public entities and the officials who serve, need to be mindful of the implications of using electronic devices during public meetings.”
The tablet exception follows months of debate and traces its roots to a June 2024 San Joaquin County Grand Jury report. The panel called for a device ban after a confidential 2023 review of City Manager Harry Black’s performance was allegedly leaked, triggering “targeted online harassment” of a councilmember by the online platform 209 Times, according to The Record.
The grand jury warned the leak “undermined the local democratic process” and recommended strict closed-session safeguards.
In response, the Council passed the 2024 resolution that forced members to leave phones and smartwatches outside during private deliberations.
Council revisits decade-old debate over devices and discretion
The revision reflects long-standing tensions in Stockton politics over technology and transparency. Back in 2013, then-Mayor Anthony Silva and Councilmember Moses Zapien voiced skepticism about digital devices, citing both perception and public records risks.
Council ultimately adopted Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, a set of parliamentary procedures designed for efficient and fair decision-making in meetings, and limited electronic use to accessing agenda packets, formalized in Resolution 2013-12-17-1213.
“The Council’s use of electronic communication devices during a City Council meeting, may lead to the public’ s perception that a Councilmember is not paying attention to the subject matter at hand or that a Councilmember is receiving information relative to the subject matter at hand that other Councilmembers and members of the public are not receiving, either one of which is inimical to good government and transparency,” the resolution reads.
According to city documents, approved tablets must be issued by the City and configured to block all communication capabilities. Devices must remain inside the closed session room and are subject to inspection at the presiding officer’s discretion.