REMOTE COMMENT CITY COUNCIL

The City of Chula Vista is making it easier for residents to participate in local government by introducing remote public comment for City Council meetings. Beginning with upcoming Council meetings, community members can register to provide comments either in person or by telephone through a new online registration system.

The new process is part of the City's implementation of California Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), which modernizes the Ralph M. Brown Act by expanding public access to local government meetings. Among its requirements, SB 707 requires eligible local agencies to provide members of the public with a way to attend and participate in public meetings remotely through two-way telephonic or audiovisual technology, helping remove barriers to civic engagement.

Residents who wish to speak during a City Council meeting may register beginning at 8 a.m. on the Monday before the meeting by visiting the online form.

To register:

• Select the meeting you wish to attend.
• Click "Register."
• Enter your contact information.
• Choose whether you will provide comments in person or remotely.
• Select the agenda item(s) you wish to address and indicate whether you support, oppose or are neutral on the item.
• Submit your registration. A confirmation email will be sent once registration is complete.

Residents speaking in person should check in with the City Clerk Ambassador upon arrival. Those participating remotely must register using the same phone number they will use to call into the meeting. Remote participants may call (619) 679-9952 up to 30 minutes before the meeting begins to listen to the meeting and await their opportunity to speak.

Unless otherwise directed by the Presiding Officer or City Council, speakers will be allotted three minutes for consent calendar items, non-consent agenda items and general public comment. Individuals using interpretation services will receive twice the allotted speaking time.

The first seven registered speakers for general public comment will be heard during the initial public comment period. If additional speakers are registered, they will be heard during a continued general public comment period later in the meeting.

To help ensure meetings remain accessible and orderly:

• Signs and visual materials are permitted provided they do not block the view of others or disrupt the meeting.
• Visual presentations using City equipment are limited to land use and adjudicatory matters. Supporting documents may be submitted in advance to [email protected] for inclusion in the official record.
• Individuals who engage in behavior that disrupts the orderly conduct of the meeting may be removed from further participation during that meeting in accordance with City Council code of conduct.

Additional information about speaking at City Council meetings is available online.