CORRESPONDENCE - NON-AGENDA - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Per medical recommendation, I am carefully engaging in social distancing and limiting myself to public spaces where masks are worn for my own safety due to the global pandemic; COVID-19. Therefore, I request access to engage in public comment in a way that will be safe for me given the medical advice that I take significant precautions to reduce my risk of contracting COVID-19. If the City is not prepared to grant my request today, I am available immediately to discuss a way that I can have meaningful participation in the City meeting and to resolve this discriminatory policy. BROWN ACT Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20 which states there should be "a local legislative body or state body is authorized to hold public meetings via teleconferencing and to make public meetings accessible telephonically or otherwise electronically to all members of the public seeking to observe and to address the local legislative body ..." While this allows local government to limit comment to telephone or video, it does not allow them to do away with the right to address the local body or to require in person participation during a dangerous pandemic. In fact, it goes on to state that the local body must have a swift plan to resolve request for a reasonable accommodation and advertise the procedure. The City continues to be obligated to both allow public comment, and to ensure that disability accommodation are made as needed. Limiting participation to writing that is not read into the meeting is no different than blocking all participation. When my written comments are left in an unread email, and not shared with the meeting viewers and the Board, I am not permitted to meaningfully engage as required by the Brown Act. I see the impact of this when I watch the meeting. It allows the governing body to those who were unable to participate due to age or medical condition. URGENCY Through the last meeting, comments by phone were permitted. Last week with, with no notice, the City converted to in -person only. This is at the height of the pandemic with our City reaching new Covid-19 milestones daily. Due to the recent change, upcoming meeting, and critical nature of my access to engage with those elected to govern in Santa Ana, I request an answer to this request for reasonable accommodation before the meeting tomorrow. The CDC continues to recommend that seniors and people with disabilities who may be designated as "higher -risk" for life -threatening impacts if they contract COVID-19 take all possible precautions to avoid infection. In Orange County, as infection rates continue to rise, we see new records for hospitalization, ICU, and death. Currently, the only way to participate in public comment would be to attend a crowded room, in a crowded line, where some individuals are likely not wearing masks and in fact, have shown aggression toward those who do at other in -person meetings in Orange