...Title
Hybrid Public Meetings (Mahan, Liccardo, Jones, Jimenez, Foley)
...Recommendations
As part of the City Manager’s COVID-19 Update in June 2021, direct the City Manager to:
1. Return to the City Council with a plan for hosting hybrid public meetings that allow both in-person and virtual public participation with special consideration for:
a. Start date and timeline for transition,
b. Pros and cons of including standing and ad-hoc City Committees and Commissions in the new meeting protocols,
c. Pros and cons of allowing members of Council, City Committees and Commissions to participate remotely under certain circumstances,
d. Potential modification of certain Commissions’ and Committees’ requirements that meetings be held in person in different parts of the city given the City’s new ability to facilitate virtual public participation from any location,
e. Staffing capacity and needs of the various City departments involved in completing the transition and providing ongoing support services,
f. Cost breakdowns for both required and potential support services, including staff time, language translation and expansion to city commissions and boards,
g. And success metrics for public participation that would allow Council to assess the effectiveness of the new model over time, to include which model most advances civic engagement, such as equitable access, unique participants, and overall experience for residents providing input and feedback on council items
2. Seek Council direction during the June 2021 presentation on final adoption of the transition plan prior to the July 2021 legislative recess.