A significant technical issue with the Zoom network on November 23, 2020, resulted in the cancellation of a City Council work session in Des Moines, Iowa. The session was set to feature a briefing from a consultant with ETC Institute about a new resident survey, but public, media, and staff connectivity issues disrupted the meeting. Mayor Cownie promptly ended the session and issued an apology, reiterating the city's commitment to transparency and the importance of effective communication with residents. He assured that the City Council intends to reschedule the informational workshop as soon as possible. Typically, these work sessions provide Council members with critical updates and presentations, but they do not involve public discussions or voting.

While the work session was canceled, the regular Council meeting scheduled for 4:30 p. m. was confirmed to proceed without disruption. A Zoom recording of the canceled session is available for viewing online. This incident underscores the reliance on digital platforms for governmental meetings, especially amid ongoing public health considerations.