Please reach us at mcstralliance@protonmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question. Response times may be slow though!
THE FIRST THREE TUESDAYS OF THE MONTH. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT STARTS AROUND 10:00 a.m.
IN PERSON AT: 200 W. 4th Street, Madera CA 93637, Board Chambers 1st Floor
ON ZOOM OR CALL IN:
Zoom Meeting ID: 8447 568 3327 or https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84475683327
Passcode is not required.
Mobile: 1-669-444-9171
1. Show up. Even if you have little time to prepare, sometimes just showing up and listening to other speakers is inspiring. Learn from listening to other public speakers.
2. Prepare ahead of time: research and gather info relevant to the points you’d like to make. You may want to compose your statement in writing. While not necessary, it can help make a more refined statement and give you the opportunity to include multiple data points, quote sources, etc.
3. While there’s no requirement to do so, you may want to greet the board with a “Good morning/afternoon supervisors” etc. You are not required to be polite, although that might have a certain appeal.
4. You are asked to give your name, the city you live in and the item you are speaking on. You are not required to give your real name, although doing so could give your comment more gravitas.
5. Speak calmly, clearly and slowly enough to be understood.
6. You do not have to use all of your time. If you are done before your time has run out, let the clerk know.
7. Criticisms of the actions and policies of government officials is protected speech. You are free to say anything, (with the exception of threats) but consider that the meeting time is valuable, and that it is not just your time, but many other’s time as well.
8. If possible, listen to the comments made by others, especially fellow MCSTR Alliance members to ensure you don’t repeat the same written talking point or paragraph in a prepared document.
9. If you want to respond to something that is said during the meeting, be ready to takes notes.
Public comment is usually at the beginning of the meeting (which might actually be 9:40+am). Each person gets 3 minutes to speak. When you arrive in the gallery, fill out a speaker card with the clerk. Then wait to be called.
You can raise your hand as soon as you’re on. However, if the meeting hasn’t officially started, when it has been called to order, double check that your hands is still raised. Sometimes they reset things and you’ll need to raise your hand again.
· The clerk will call your name and ask you to unmute. A dialogue box will pop up on your screen—hit unmute.· Assume you can be heard and just start speaking (i.e. don’t waste part of your 2 minutes asking “Can you hear me? Am I on?”)
· If possible, use a headset—the volume and quality of audio for your comment tends to be better.
Send comments to clerk of the Board at cotb@maderacounty.com. You can submit written comments before meetings. The deadline for submissions is usually 3pm the day before the meeting. Your comments will be forwarded to all Supervisors and entered into the public record.
Be sure to include the date of the meeting and agenda item your comments pertain to. If you cite any reference material, include it in the body of your email as they may not open attachments. Links are okay to include, but it is best to quote the material you would like to include in your email.
Keep a record of your submissions, as well as your statements made into the public record. Organize them by topics and date submitted.