Photo by Kelli Weldon

New name, online registration among ideas discussed Oct. 13

By Kelli Weldon

At an Oct. 13 work session, trustees discussed updating the citizens communication process with the goal of increasing effectiveness.

Trustee Gina Hinojosa said the board's ad hoc Community Engagement Committee received feedback about the current process, including a concern that the name "citizens communication" could exclude some members of the community because of their citizenship status. Hinojosa said the board could change the name to "public comment" instead.

Trustees also discussed other changes, such as allowing members of the public to sign up to speak by phone and online.

A few trustees, including Jayme Mathias, said they were unsure whether adding a phone sign-up system would be the best way to improve accessibility.

"I like the idea of making it more accessible, but then the question becomes: 'How do we do that?'" he said.

Board President Vincent Torres suggested moving the registration time to an hour before the meeting. Currently speakers must sign up in person on the day of the meeting starting at 7:45 a.m., and the limit is 30 speakers.

Trustee Robert Schneider suggested a lottery system in which names would be drawn at random rather than a first-come, first-served registration process.

Other options identified by the committee included increasing each speaker's time from two to three minutes, using the board's comment Web page to solicit input on issues in advance of board action, and adding opportunities for residents communication at board dialogue or work session meetings.