LA County rolls out revamped public comment system for Board of Supervisors meetings

Los Angeles County rolled out a new way to participate in Board of Supervisors meetings Tuesday with a revamped registration system that officials say will make it easier for residents to have their voices heard.

Under the pilot system, people making public comments over the phone will get a text message reminder when the item they want to speak on is before the board, meaning they don’t have to watch an entire meeting that can run hours-long. It also gets rid of all the access codes, pins and “raise hand” features callers would’ve been required to use.

Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district stretches from Whittier to Catalina Island, said what the board does is for the public, and it's the board's responsibility to make it as seamless and accessible as possible for residents to share their thoughts.

“This overhaul of our public comment system is about empowering residents in every corner of L.A. County — especially those who may not be able to take time out of their Tuesdays to come down to the Board Room — to speak up on the decisions that affect their lives,” Hahn said in a statement.

How does it work?

First, register here starting at 9 a.m. the day of the meeting if you’re planning to make public comments in person or over the phone. It’ll ask you to select the meeting you want to participate in and the agenda item(s) you want to speak on.

To speak over the phone, you’ll have to call (213) 444-2600 to connect to the meeting. Pins and access codes are no longer required, but expect to follow some prompts when you dial in. Plus, if you get disconnected, you won’t lose your place in line.

You’ll then get a text reminder when your agenda item is up (don’t forget to enter your phone number and opt in when you register). Each speaker will be called by name or by the last four digits of their phone number.

To speak in person, you can also register at a kiosk in the boardroom. You should check in at the kiosk when you arrive and wait until your name is called to the podium to speak.

You’re not required to register, but it’ll make the process quicker, according to county officials. Anonymous public comments are also allowed.

Officials said the new system is accessible for people with disabilities, including a portal that supports screen readers for blind or visually impaired people.

You can still submit written public comments online through the board’s website.

Why it matters

Residents have expressed “many concerns” about the previous public comment system for both in person and over the phone, Supervisor Hilda Solis said during Tuesday’s board meeting.

“I hope everyone will utilize this new system, it has been a great investment,” said Solis, who is also chair of the board. “I hope this will help to expedite all of those concerns.”

The pilot comes about a year after the L.A. County Board of Supervisors introduced real-time translation services and moved to a new teleconference platform for public comments after people reported issues with the old system.

How can I keep up with the board meetings?

• When: Supervisors meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. You can find the full calendar, including canceled meetings, here.
• Where: Room 381-B, 500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles.
• How to watch: The meetings are broadcast live here and on YouTube. 
  
  • They’re also aired on KLCS in the city of L.A. at 11 p.m. the following Wednesday.
• Agendas: You can find the agendas for each meeting here.
  
  • You can also sign up to have the agendas sent straight to your email inbox through that page.
  • If your internet access is iffy, you can call (213) 974-1442 to ask for the agenda to be mailed to you.