City of San Antonio - File #: 16-2238

• File #: 16-2238
• Type: Staff Briefing - Without Ordinance
• In control: Governance Committee
• On agenda: 4/27/2016
• Posting Language: Briefing and possible action on a Council Consideration Request from Councilmember Roberto C. Trevino, District 1, for provision of a Spanish-language Interpretor at Certain Meetings and Public Hearings. [Roderick Sanchez, Director, Development Services Department]

DEPARTMENT: Development Services

DEPARTMENT HEAD: Roderick Sanchez, CBO, AICP

COUNCIL DISTRICT IMPACTED: All

SUMMARY:
Councilman Trevino requests that the City of San Antonio create a dedicated, paid staff person for Spanish-language interpretation services for applicants and other citizens at the meetings and public hearings of certain Boards and Commissions.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio has many residents whose primary language is Spanish; however, all City public hearings are conducted in English. In previous situations where an applicant could not present in English they would provide their own interpreter. Currently, Development Services and Office of Historic Preservation contract with an independent, third party translator on a per hour basis, as requested in advance by an applicant for the Building Standards Board. Recently, the departments have implemented this policy for Board of Adjustments, Planning Commission, Zoning Commission, Building-Related and Fire Codes Appeals and Advisory Board, and Historic and Design Review Commission. Applications, Public Notices, and Standard Operating Procedures have been updated to inform applicants of this option, and the posted agenda also includes this information with a contact number to request this service. Additionally, the departments have issued an Information Bulletin in English and Spanish advising customers or this service, and posted it to the city website.

ISSUE:
Board of Adjustments, Planning Commission, Zoning Commission, Building Standards Board, Building-Related and Fire Codes Appeals and Advisory Board, and Historic and Design Review Commission consider applications submitted by an applicant that request approval in order to proceed with development on a project. Staff is tasked with processing the application through applicable public hearing processes and develops recommendations. The previous practice for some Boards and Commissions has been that applic...