If you’ve ever wanted to weigh in publicly at an Austin City Council meeting but haven’t been able to do so because of the travel to City Hall that’s required, there’s a new option to assist with civic engagement: remote videoconferencing.
Austinites can now make their voice heard through videoconferencing at select Austin Public Library branches during the General Citizen’s Communications period at regularly-scheduled Austin City Council meetings. What began as a pilot project at three Austin Public Library branches has now expanded to nine libraries across the city:
Keep in mind the same rules that apply to in-person communications also apply to videoconferencing. From the City of Austin website:
Time is set aside at 12 noon at each council meeting for a maximum of 10 individuals to address the council on topics of their choice. A person who intends to speak at this time must register in advance with the City Clerk’s Office. Registration must include the meeting date, name, contact information, and location (either in Council Chambers at the meeting or off-site at a participating library). Contact the Office of the City Clerk by phone (512–974–2210) or by email. See the sign-up schedule for registration dates and times at the following link:
2017 General Citizen Communication Schedule
The registration period for a given meeting begins at 9:00 am 14 days prior to the meeting and ends at 4:30 pm the following Thursday.
A person may not speak at general citizen communication more often than once out of every three regularly scheduled council meetings.
Make use of this progress in technology to have your voice heard!