CORRESPONDENCE - 85A - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Salas, Diana From: Cynthia <cyngue848@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 6:10 PM To: eComment Subject: Comment re: Item 85A on City Council Agenda Hi, My name is Cynthia Guerra and I am a lifelong resident of Santa Ana. I am reaching out today to state my support for Item 85A and ask the City Council to direct "the Clerk of the Council to increase transparency and accessibility to the public during virtual City Council meetings by opening up the live phone-in comments to EVERY ITEM on the agenda NOT just Public Hearings." Due to the current Covid-19 crisis that makes it risky for folks to leave their homes, it is important that the City do everything in its power to ensure residents are able to communicate with their elected officials and City staff. Residents no longer have the ability to physically attend City Council meetings. The City used to offer a variety of options to communicate during City Council meetings, like YouTube comments that made it easier for some folks, and should continue to do so. Diversifying communication methods would allow more residents to be engaged since some might not have access to one one of the methods, like for example, sending emails like this one. This is particularly important at this time, as this City Council makes decisions that have an amplified effect on residents given that Santa Ana has been one of the areas hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic in Orange County. The City Council should also consider instating these good practices beyond the crisis to ensure accessibility for residents who might not have the capacity to be physically present at meetings, but that still want and have a right to have their voices heard. Please support Item 85A and continue working to make City proceedings more transparent and accessible. Thank you, Cynthia Guerra 10