...Title
Improvements to the Public Engagement Process in City Council, Council Committees and Other City Public Meetings. (Peralez)
...Recommendations
Direct the City Manager to report back to the Mayor and Council with recommendations on how to implement the following:
1. Visually display the agenda item number and title on Zoom or any other platforms that host public meetings and remain visible until the item is finalized.
2. The Meeting Chair to verbally announce the agenda item name and number during the following times: a. At the start, prior to discussion on any item b. Before starting public comment.
3. Provide visual directions regarding access to closed captions on Zoom and other platforms that host the City of San José’s public meetings.
4. After the vote on an agenda item, visually display on Zoom and other platforms that host San José’s public meetings a statement of the final motion (with amendments) and the voting results.
5. Use best practices for translation services and analyze existing effective solutions to do the following:
a. A statement regarding translation services will be made before each item on Zoom and other platforms that host San José’s public meetings Page 2.
b. Visually display a statement in English, Spanish and Vietnamese on Zoom and other platforms that host San José’s public meetings and explore a Spanish and Vietnamese translation option as part of their broadcast and as standard practice.
c. Meeting agendas and packet information should be translated as a standard practice.
6. Participants shall be given full opportunity to make public comment, taking into account virtual latency time. The Meeting Chair shall provide adequate time (e.g. 30 seconds) after naming the person who appears to be the last in the speaker queue before proceeding to the debate of the body.
7. Issues regarding housing and COVID policies should be agendized for evening council sessions to ensure more essential workers and families can participate.