TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Rick Otto, City Manager
1. SUBJECT
title
Review of policy on public comments for remote City Council meetings.
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2. SUMMARY
A review of the policy and method for presenting public comments during remote City Council meetings.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Provide policy direction on receiving public comments during remote City Council meetings.
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4. FISCAL IMPACT
No impact.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 4: Provide outstanding public service
a: Obtain, implement, and evaluate public input into our services and programs.
c: Enhance technology to improve public accessibility to information and services.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
In response to the initial state-wide COVID stay at home order in March 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-29-20 (dated March 17, 2020) that stated "...All requirements...requiring physical presence of members, the clerk or other personnel of the body, or of the public as a condition of participation in or quorum for a public meeting are hereby waived." In summary, N-29-20 allowed local legislative bodies to hold public meetings via teleconference without having to provide a physical location from which members of the public may observe the meeting and offer public comment, as long as members of the public are allowed to observe and address the meeting telephonically or otherwise electronically.
As the City transitioned to virtual City Council meetings, staff continues to explore ways to ensure the public is able to provide feedback to the City Council for public meetings. Since the very first Council meeting that was conducted remotely, an e-mail address has been provided to the public to allow them to submit written comments, as well as a phone number for people to leave voice messages for the City Council. Submitted comments were provided to the City Council in advance of the meeting and became part of the public record following the meeting....
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