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County. Given my (age/medical condition), this effectively prohibits my participation in <br />public comment at the meeting. <br />CONCLUSION <br />Therefore, I request that the City either (1) allow me to participate by phone/video <br />or (2) contact me immediately to engage in the interactive process to determine a safe <br />way to participate. <br />Based on my experience, it is critical that I am able to participate in oral public <br />comment because the written comments are not read aloud and do not carry the same <br />weight. There is no means to guarantee each Council member has even read them before <br />making decisions on a particular agenda item. Therefore, when making critical decisions <br />about the budget, public health, and welfare of our City those elected are unable <br />to consider the opinions of similarly situated seniors or people with disabilities. Similarly, <br />the public does not hear written comments the same way it does for those who are able to <br />safely attend the meetings in -person. <br />Without this accommodation, the time allotted to the public for comment would <br />unfairly favor people in lower risk health categories at the expense of the most <br />vulnerable. The result: a clear discrimination against those who are senior or have <br />medical conditions. When looked at together, the protections of the Brown Act (even as <br />amended during this global pandemic), and state and federal laws that protect seniors and <br />people with disabilities from discrimination are clear. I have a right to equal access to <br />government meetings, public accommodations, and public space. <br />Therefore, the City must grant my urgent request for a reasonable accommodation <br />to meaningfully engage with the City through oral public comment at the meeting on <br />Tuesday. This is critical because the meeting will address items of interest to the public. <br />I request that before the meeting the City call me at 714-425-0487 or email me at <br />socorritomexlvahoo.com to confirm whether I will be permitted to engage <br />in oral public comment at this meeting in a way that complies with medical <br />recommendations for my health and safety. <br />Thank you, <br />Dr. Socorro T. Sarmiento <br />