Report Prepared by: Jennifer Parsley, Assistant City Clerk
Title
SUBJECT: Direction on the Process for Remote Participation to be in Compliance with Senate Bill (SB) 707
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff will provide an overview of the function and use of remote public participation to be in compliance with SB 707 and request Council direction on process.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Discuss and provide direction to staff for further implementation and planning purposes.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Provide direction to staff; or
2. Request additional information; or
3. Continue the matter to a date certain; or
4. Decline to act.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Staff are implementing remote public participation capabilities to support compliance with SB 707 and to facilitate two-way telephonic participation and electronic public comments during public meetings. Through this process, members of the public may register to participate telephonically and identify the specific agenda items on which they wish to provide comment during the live meeting.
The electronic comment ("e-comment") feature also allows members of the public to submit written comments on agenda items electronically. Submitted comments are publicly viewable upon submission.
At the direction of the City Council, this feature could serve as a replacement for the current practice of accepting public comments via email.
To ensure meetings are conducted efficiently, consistently, and equitably for all participants, staff is requesting Council direction on the following operational procedures:
* Establishing a submission cutoff for e-comments to provide adequate time for staff to review, process, and publish submitted comments, while also establishing clear expectations for public participation. Council direction is requested regarding the appropriate cutoff time for accepting e-comments. Options may include: ...
Click here for full text