California mayor's hot mic catches candid exchange after audience sends meeting off garlic
By our Reporter
A live microphone exposed a behind-the-scenes conversation between Sacramento's mayor and vice mayor as they discussed whether disruptive protesters could be barred from future city council meetings after a heated immigration-related debate descended into chaos. "We should go over this disruptions thing, because if we want to ban somebody in the future, like to take them out, we have to point out specifically…" Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes is heard saying.
"I know, but the city attorney said we can't do that," Mayor Kevin McCarty replied. "We did it last time," Talamantes responded. McCarty said, shaking his head, "I spent my first six months going over this. I wanted to give people, like, probation, like, you can't come…" Talamantes then appeared to realize the microphone was still live and quickly reached over to switch it off.
The awkward exchange unfolded Tuesday after Sacramento City Council recessed and ordered the public removed from the chambers following repeated disruptions during a fiery debate over the city's continued participation in a regional intelligence-sharing center. The confrontation escalated after Talamantes defended accepting federal funding for the Central California Intelligence Center, arguing Sacramento's sanctuary city policies and immigrant protections made the city better suited to oversee the grant.
Following the meeting, McCarty said the private conversation focused on existing meeting procedures, not new restrictions. He stated, "When meetings are repeatedly disrupted, we must discuss existing policies and rules to ensure Council meetings remain effective, orderly, and respectful." The City Attorney's Office declined to comment on McCarty's reference to legal advice during the exchange. >>
