Alhambra City Hall (Photo – Frank Qiu).
The Corona virus pandemic makes it difficult for the public to gather and perform certain activities together, but we can – and should – remain active and participate in local government decision-making.
By Melissa Michelson
In addition to city-wide decisions that relate to COVID-19, cities are continuing some business as usual, and the public can listen in live as well as participate with their own comments and concerns.
In Alhambra on Monday, April 27 at 2:00 pm, the city council is having a “special” meeting instead of its regular biweekly Monday evening meeting. The public can listen in via telephone and provide public input on any of the agenda items.
Members of the public are encouraged to comment about the use of $596,568 in federal funding toward four weeks of 1,600 COVID-19 tests, financial assistance to 200 low- and moderate-income households that have been affected by the pandemic, and around 1000 meals to seniors.
The Alhambra Election and Campaign Reform Act
Also, on the agenda is “The Alhambra Election and Campaign Reform Act”, which will be on the local November 2020 ballot. It is a grassroots-initiated bill that would amend Alhambra’s city charter. It aims to stop legalized bribery in Alhambra by putting a $250 cap on the total amount per contribution and donor that city council candidates can accept. It would also update election representation to by-district rather than at-large elections.
The City will also give a report about city’s pandemic services, approve certain municipal vendors and consultants, and at the end of the meeting, hear from members of the public on topics of concern that are not on their current agenda.
Four ways to participate during a pandemic
There are four ways the public can participate:
Option 1:
Just listen to the meeting (and not make a public comment).
At 5:00 pm, on Monday, April 27, phone 978-990-5000 and enter access code 448112 when prompted. You’ll be listening to the meeting but be automatically on mute
Option 2:
Sign up to say a few words on the agenda item of choice.
Before 1:50 pm on Monday, April 27, email David Tran, Deputy City Manager, at dtran@cityofalhambra.org with your name and the phone number you will be using to call in to the meeting. At 2:00 p.m. sign in to the meeting. Phone 978-990-5000 and enter access code 448112. Listen. When it is your time to speak on the agenda item, Mr. Tran will unmute your phone line and announce you. You will have five minutes to speak, unless that time is adjusted by the meeting chair.
Option 3:
Send an email before Monday to the City Council.
Email lmyles@cityofalhambra.org before Monday and it will be read into the record during the meeting.
Option 4:
Do Option 1 + 3.
> Click here for the full agenda.
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