A member of the public may speak on any item listed on the agenda either in-person or remotely. Speakers are generally limited to three minutes per item, although the Chair may adjust the time based on the number of speakers.
Members of the public may also submit written comments in advance of the meeting to EthicsPublicComment@oaklandca.gov. Please indicate the agenda item # you are commenting on in the subject line of the email. All written public comments received at least 24 hours prior to the meeting will be posted on the meeting webpage prior to the meeting as part of the public record and provided at the meeting with agenda materials.
The purpose of Public Comment is for Commissioners to hear from members of the public. The Commission cannot discuss the substance of any public comment made that does not pertain to an item listed on the agenda. After the close of each Public Comment period, the Commission may address questions or concerns that were raised during the public comment period.
Remote Public Comment
Ensure you are in a quiet location. Before you speak, mute the sound of any equipment around you, including television, radio, or computer. It is especially important that you reduce the volume of your computer speaker if you are watching via the Zoom link, to prevent feedback and echo when you speak.
Zoom
- If you connect to the meeting via Zoom, use the raise hand button to indicate that you want to speak on an item and to be added to the public comment queue.
- It is your turn to speak when Zoom displays, “The host has unmuted you.”
- When you hear PEC staff say, “Welcome Caller,” you are encouraged to state your name clearly. As soon as you begin speaking you will have three minutes to provide your public comment (six minutes if you are on the line with an interpreter).
- Once your three minutes have expired, PEC staff will mute you. Zoom will display, “You’re muted.”
- Attendees who want to speak during other public comment periods may stay on the line and listen for the next public comment opportunity and should press the raise hand button to enter the public comment queue again.
Telephone Audio Conferencing
- If you connect to the meeting via telephone, dial *9 to raise your hand to indicate that you want to speak on an item and to be added to the public comment queue.
- When the system message says, “You’re unmuted,” this is your turn to speak.
- When you hear the PEC staff say, “Welcome Caller,” you are encouraged to state your name clearly. As soon as you begin speaking you will have three minutes to provide your public comment (six minutes if you are on the line with an interpreter).
- Once your three minutes have expired, PEC staff will mute you. You will hear, “You’re muted.”
- Attendees who want to speak during other public comment periods may stay on the line and listen for the next public comment opportunity and should dial *9 to raise their hands to enter the public comment queue again.