“How to approach the city council; this is where decisions are made that have to get out to the public,” so they are informed of city business, said Yanez.Aguirre asked if the city has a list of organizations serving the Spanish speaking community or if staff can create same and Yanez said such a list could be researched.Yanez said that several cities have utilized a community event - some informal - to help raise awareness.Mayor John Procter said providing translation at city meetings “in terms of outreach is a lot of bang for the buck. . .” as would providing a bilingual city Web site.“Many of these families don’t have computers and if they do, the kids use them,” said Councilman Rick Cook.Cook suggested that the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus and Las Piedras Park Community Policing Building would be good places to start outreach efforts, as “they know all the connections.”Calla Dominguez, coordinator of the Las Piedras building, suggested that a council meeting be held at the facility, noted Councilwoman Mary Ann Krause, so “we can meet with the community and hear their concerns. . .”City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said staff would prepare a report listing organizations that would be helpful in outreach efforts and recommendations for action.
Council discusses Spanish speaking outreach efforts
May 14, 2003
Santa Paula News
Taking its act on the road and holding a community-wide event were just two of the suggestions offered by the City Council to broaden outreach to Spanish speaking residents of Santa Paula.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesTaking its act on the road and holding a community-wide event were just two of the suggestions offered by the City Council to broaden outreach to Spanish speaking residents of Santa Paula.The council discussed the outreach, a council goal, at the April 21st meeting.Brian Yanez, community services director, said that staff would “like to get direction and ideas from the city council on the outreach plan,” which “could be implemented by the city.”Various city departments offer bilingual informative materials and have bilingual personnel, he noted. “Overall, city departments have taken a proactive approach by providing information to the community in Spanish and English.”Yanez suggested that an open house could be held and that other cities have hired consultants to plot outreach programs, but “there are many options out there.”“When you commented that folks may not know how to do certain things, what things,” specifically were meant, asked Vice Mayor Gabino Aguirre.