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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 5 findings
F1
The Board of Supervisors regularly meets at 8:30 A.M. on Tuesdays. The agenda is available in advance (typically by the Thursday preceding the meeting) on the Internet at the County’s web site, www.sonoma-county.org, and in the Board’s office.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Board usually meets for an unspecified period of time, occasionally only for a few minutes, before going into closed session. The public meeting then resumes, usually at 2:00 P.M.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Based on the agenda, it is frequently not possible to determine when a particular item will be discussed.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Board of Supervisors should change the format and timing of its meetings to encourage public attendance and participation.
R2
Include time for public comment in the agenda the week before an item is voted on. Required Responses to Findings None Required Responses to Recommendations Board of Supervisors: R1, R2
F4
Many similar local government bodies, such as the Santa Rosa City Council, have their regular meetings in the late afternoon or evening making it convenient for the public to attend.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The Board was observed to be courteous and receptive to members of the public wishing to speak. Conclusions The Board meetings are well-managed by the President. The only concern of this Jury, and it is a major concern, is that the time and format of the meetings is not at all conducive to public attendance or participation. Citizens are unable to determine when during the day a particular issue will be before the Board, so interested persons must take the entire day off from work, making participation in the process extremely difficult. For example, since the Board and the Grand Jury meet at the same time during the day, it was necessary for that juror to miss at least part of the Jury meeting; therefore, it was generally not feasible for more than one juror to attend the Board meeting. The Jury recognizes that scheduling the meetings during the day and not adhering to a strictly defined schedule is convenient to the Board, but believes that this does not justify a format that discourages citizen participation. This creates the impression that the Board is not interested in citizen input. The Jury urges the Board to give serious consideration to changes which encourage public participation, such as scheduling late afternoon or evening sessions. The Board should also make it possible for citizens to know when a particular issue will be discussed. The agenda items should be reserved for the beginning or end of the meeting.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Board of Supervisors should change the format and timing of its meetings to encourage public attendance and participation.
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 2The Board meetings are well-managed by the President. The only concern of this Jury, and it is a major concern, is that the time and format of the meetings is not at all conducive to public attendance or participation. Citizens are unable to determine when during the day a particular issue will be before the Board, so interested persons must take the entire day off from work, making participation in the process extremely difficult. For example, since the Board and the Grand Jury meet at the same time during the day, it was necessary for that juror to miss at least part of the Jury meeting; therefore, it was generally not feasible for more than one juror to attend the Board meeting. The Jury recognizes that scheduling the meetings during the day and not adhering to a strictly defined schedule is convenient to the Board, but believes that this does not justify a format that discourages citizen participation. This creates the impression that the Board is not interested in citizen input. The Jury urges the Board to give serious consideration to changes which encourage public participation, such as scheduling late afternoon or evening sessions. The Board should also make it possible for citizens to know when a particular issue will be discussed. The agenda items should be reserved for the beginning or end of the meeting.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office