10.C) AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 2-49(E) REGARDING THE CURRENT PROCEDURE OF READING PUBLIC COMMENTS DURING COUNCIL MEETINGS; ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT OF READING THE COMMENTS RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC; DIRECTING THE VILLAGE CLERK TO PROVIDE COPIES TO COUNCILMEMBERS OF ALL PUBLIC COMMENTS PRIOR TO A MEETING; PLACING ALL COMMENTS RECEIVED AS PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD OF THE MEETING; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Mayor Karyn Cunningham) (Passed on First Reading on May 1, 2023–Regular Council Meeting and continued June 5, 2023-Regular Council Meeting)
I oppose item 10C.Reading of residents comments online is an efficient and inclusive way to allow all residents to participate in matters that affect their daily lives.We have many families with young children, residents with mobility issues,or are immunocompromised as well as those who do not work 9-5 jobs.During the past 3 years most businesses have pivoted & benefited from increased use of online platforms.Many workers are now able to work entirely online from home.Our government must be able to embrace the same online platforms to allow residents participation in council meetings to be inclusive.We want our village to continue to attract families with children to enjoy our great parks with beautiful trees and great schools as my own children did.We cannot continue to dwell in the past and return to requiring people to attend council meetings to have their voices heard when online work & communication has been proven to be efficient & effective.We should not expect immunocompromised residents to have to risk their health and well being to attend meetings in person.There are many who are but want to continue to participate.We all benefit from all residents regardless of mobility issues to be included as well.Our elected officials should embrace this opportunity to be a government of the people,for the people and by the people.Surely allowing residents 3 minutes to have their comments read is what our elected officials should allow.To do otherwise would be silencing voices
It is valuable for all interested parties to understand how our fellow residents feel about issues affecting the Village. Not everyone can attend the meetings, and the option to have written comments read into the record is essential to provide equal access to everyone, particularly those with work, family, health and transportation issues.
I urge the council to withdraw this item and continue to value and honor the voices of their constituents. Thank you.
Cindy Hewitt 16630 SW 80 Ave
It is counter intuitive to believe that the oral reading of every public comment at each council meeting is necessary to be effective and broadly heard by the community at large. Other much more efficient means are available to the public including this medium to read and research whatever their fellow community members might have provided as comments and opinions. It is fallacious to believe that this council doesn’t respect and read every submission made by their constituents. And to believe otherwise also impinges future council members equally. Trust is placed in you - our popularly elected officers. Act responsibly and support agenda item 10C.
Find another way
I oppose item 10C.Reading of residents comments online is an efficient and inclusive way to allow all residents to participate in matters that affect their daily lives.We have many families with young children, residents with mobility issues,or are immunocompromised as well as those who do not work 9-5 jobs.During the past 3 years most businesses have pivoted & benefited from increased use of online platforms.Many workers are now able to work entirely online from home.Our government must be able to embrace the same online platforms to allow residents participation in council meetings to be inclusive.We want our village to continue to attract families with children to enjoy our great parks with beautiful trees and great schools as my own children did.We cannot continue to dwell in the past and return to requiring people to attend council meetings to have their voices heard when online work & communication has been proven to be efficient & effective.We should not expect immunocompromised residents to have to risk their health and well being to attend meetings in person.There are many who are but want to continue to participate.We all benefit from all residents regardless of mobility issues to be included as well.Our elected officials should embrace this opportunity to be a government of the people,for the people and by the people.Surely allowing residents 3 minutes to have their comments read is what our elected officials should allow.To do otherwise would be silencing voices
It is valuable for all interested parties to understand how our fellow residents feel about issues affecting the Village. Not everyone can attend the meetings, and the option to have written comments read into the record is essential to provide equal access to everyone, particularly those with work, family, health and transportation issues.
I urge the council to withdraw this item and continue to value and honor the voices of their constituents. Thank you.
Cindy Hewitt 16630 SW 80 Ave
It is counter intuitive to believe that the oral reading of every public comment at each council meeting is necessary to be effective and broadly heard by the community at large. Other much more efficient means are available to the public including this medium to read and research whatever their fellow community members might have provided as comments and opinions. It is fallacious to believe that this council doesn’t respect and read every submission made by their constituents. And to believe otherwise also impinges future council members equally. Trust is placed in you - our popularly elected officers. Act responsibly and support agenda item 10C.