PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE

ITEM:		ACTION ITEMS
4.	DISCUSS FEASIBILITY OF FACILITATING REMOTE ACCESS TO BOARD MEETINGS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Meeting Date:			June 24, 2009
From:			Darby Fuerst,
			General Manager
Prepared By:			Arlene Tavani

SUMMARY: At the April 29, 2009 meeting, the committee discussed a suggestion that members of the public be offered the opportunity to comment at Board meetings by telephone, instant messaging, or email. It was proposed that comments could be received during Oral Communications; the length of the comment or comment period might be limited; and that receipt by email would allow staff to screen the comments for inappropriate language. Staff was requested to contact District Counsel and determine if the Brown Act open meeting regulations would apply to comments received by phone, instant messaging, or email. Attached as Exhibit 4-A are emails between staff and District Counsel that respond to the committee’s inquiry. If the committee does choose to pursue investigations into increasing opportunities for public comment, staff would need to confer with the District’s Chief Technology Officer on utilization of phone and computer equipment to most efficiently implement the change.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee should review District Counsel’s comments and decide if further action is required.

EXHIBITS

4-A Emails between District Staff and District Counsel

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