Ocean City Planning Board to Establish Public Videotaping Procedures

The Ocean City Planning Board is working on a formal process to allow members of the public to videotape its meetings, a move that could set a precedent for other boards and commissions in the city. The new policies are expected to be finalized and approved at the next Planning Board meeting, scheduled for March 5, 2025.

The Push for Videotaping Access

Interest in public access to meeting recordings gained momentum following concerns raised by residents about the clarity and accessibility of existing city recordings. Some members of the community expressed frustration that audio recordings of meetings were difficult to understand, leading to calls for an option to video record proceedings for improved transparency.

While Ocean City Council meetings have been professionally recorded and uploaded for public viewing within 12 to 24 hours, the same standard has not been applied to Planning Board meetings. The issue of videotaping at public meetings has been discussed in the past, with city officials acknowledging that under New Jersey’s Sunshine Law and a 2007 state Supreme Court ruling (Tarus vs. Pine Hill, 189 N.J. 497), members of the public are allowed to record government meetings, subject to reasonable guidelines to prevent disruption.

Developing Clear Guidelines

To ensure a structured and non-disruptive process, the Planning Board is drafting formal procedures that will outline how the public can record meetings while maintaining order. The proposed policies include:

• Pre-registration requirements: Individuals wishing to videotape meetings may need to sign up beforehand to manage space and avoid overcrowding.
• Designated recording locations: Cameras must be set up in a fixed position and cannot be moved during the meeting.
• Continuous recording: The full meeting must be recorded without interruptions, edits, or voice-over commentary.
• Battery-powered equipment: To avoid interference with electrical setups, all recording devices must operate on battery power.
• Submission of a copy: A copy of any publicly recorded meeting must be submitted to the Planning Board for documentation purposes.
• Provisions for minors and legal consultations: Any discussions involving minors or attorney-client privileged conversations will not be recorded.

Addressing Technical Concerns

City officials have emphasized that existing meeting recordings are professionally done and of high quality, capturing all necessary discussions. However, they recognize that additional public recordings may serve as an extra layer of transparency. To prevent distortion, attendees will be reminded to silence their mobile devices and avoid unnecessary background noise that could interfere with recordings.

Additionally, while these recordings will be accessible to the public, they will not be considered official records. Anyone using them must be careful to present information accurately and in context.

A Step Toward Greater Transparency

Once finalized, the Planning Board’s new procedures will likely serve as a blueprint for other city boards and commissions, such as the Historic Preservation Commission. Officials have acknowledged the importance of ensuring the process is handled correctly to prevent disruptions while upholding the public’s right to access information.

As these policies take shape, city officials are committed to finding a balanced approach—one that respects public access to information while maintaining the efficiency and integrity of government meetings. The finalized rules are expected to be reviewed by the board’s solicitor to ensure compliance with state law before full implementation.