Sacramento Board of Supervisors must stop ducking the public and embrace the Zoom era

The coronavirus pandemic has forced every social and political institution to adapt, and government isn’t an exception

Except the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.

Thus far, the county hasn’t offered any means other than comments submitted in writing, which are then read into the board record. Supervisors may respond to those comments in their meeting.

Board Chairman Phil Serna sent a memo on June 15 to Sacramento County Chief Executive Officer Nav Gill and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Florence Evans calling for public participation and comment during the board’s monthly meetings.

In the memo, Serna wrote, “I, and I know other supervisors, have grown increasingly uncomfortable that our constituents who wish to register their comments verbally have been denied the opportunity to do so in real-time during open session meetings.”

Serna is right. Hello, Zoom? We have another new customer for you.

But wait, there’s more.

Serna threatened to boycott the meetings unless and until the county changes the practice.

“Please know that my sincere interest in having to issue such an ultimatum is not a reflection on or about anything or anyone, other than my genuine concern that the public deserves direct, real-time access to their county government and its elected leadership, especially as we are expected to make important decisions affecting them.” Serna wrote.

For example, Serna noted that the California Air Resources Board, of which he is a member as well, uses Zoom. Hundreds of members of the public participate with no problems.

In addition, the Sacramento City Council, Yolo County, Placer County, and El Dorado County all have a digital platform be it Zoom, Blue Jeans, or phone to let the public comment real-time as well.

With the myriad problems the public and the Sacramento County supervisors have to deal with, regular and reliable public access shouldn’t be an issue with the availability of these electronic means to accomplish what Serna asks for: transparency and accountability.

The pandemic doesn’t mean electronic civic input isn’t possible, nor should Chairman Serna have to deliver a political ultimatum to assure that takes place. In fact, the other previously mentioned counties and the Sacramento City Council were far more nimble in their response.

While the end of the threat of COVID-19 isn’t quite on the horizon (yet), California government’s efforts to re-open businesses should also extend to itself as well, if only through these easily accessible platforms.

In the words of the Six Million Dollar Man, we have the technology.

After an inquiry by The Bee, the county seems to have accelerated their response to have more open public meetings.

Sacramento County spokeswoman Kim Nava told The Bee Monday that “many people have expressed a desire to comment in person or over the phone, and we have listened. We’re working on ways to have the public share their comments either over Blue Jeans teleconferencing or participate in person in a manner that complies with the Public Health Order. Our goal is to have a new process in place for the next Board meeting on July 14.”

That’s good news, but it’s still several months late, compared to our neighboring counties.

County CEO Nav Gill and the board should move quickly to address this issue to hit their expressed July 14 deadline and create more openness, and let Sacramento County citizens in the (virtual, socially-distanced) door.

This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 5:00 AM.