Vallejo Planning Commissioner Tosses Cat During Zoom Meeting; Later Resigns
VALLEJO (CBS/AP) -- A planning commissioner in Vallejo has resigned after throwing his pet cat and apparently drinking a beer during a Zoom meeting between city officials that was made public.
During an April 20 teleconference of the city's planning commission, Chris Platzer announced, "I'd like to introduce my cat," then picked up his pet, held it up to the camera and suddenly tossed the animal off-screen. Platzer was also seen sipping from a green bottle during the meeting.
After the conference ended he could be heard making derogatory remarks. "I'm going to call bull— on you little b—s," according to the original commission meeting video released by the city.
In an e-mail to the Vallejo Times-Herald on Saturday, Platzer announced his resignation from the planning commission, effective immediately. The resignation came days before the city council was set to consider a resolution removing him from the seven-person panel, the newspaper said.
"I did not conduct myself in the Zoom meeting in a manner befitting of a planning commissioner and apologize for any harm I may have inflicted," Platzer wrote in the e-mail. "I serve at the pleasure of the council and no longer have that trust and backing. I extend my gratitude to those who have supported me during my tenure. I have always felt that serving Vallejo in a voluntary position is honorable because Vallejo is worth serving. We are all living in uncertain times and I certainly, like many of you, am adjusting to a new normalcy."
Vallejo spokesperson Christina Lee said the city is attempting to confirm if Platzer has officially resigned from the commission. Platzer couldn't be reached for comment via phone on Saturday.
Vallejo mayor Bob Sampayan said on Friday that decorum needs to be followed for every public meeting.
"This hurts the credibility of the city," Sampayan added. "What happens if a developer is watching the meeting (and sees that)? They would obviously have concerns about the city."
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