Title
Discussion of the transcribing of the Boards and Commission minutes - Guidance
Body
Action Required:
Guidance
Description:
Discussion of the policy to transcribe verbatim minutes for Boards and Commission meetings. The City contracts with a former employee to transcribe the minutes of various boards and commissions. The cost is approximately $12,000 annually and is based on an hourly rate of $15 for transcription services. Oversight of the contract is the responsiblity of the Community Development Department. The advantage of verbatim minutes is that a complete record is created of the discussion for each item acted upon. They provide the history and public discussion of each item. Staff uses the minutes regularly to verify discussion, intent, and actions when research is necessary for variances, zonings or when aesthetics are in question. Open records requests are easily addressed by having the verbatim minutes readily available and court challenges benefit by having the verbatim minutes as well.
Comments:
Added at the request of Councilmember Betty Price.