DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: María Villagómez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Update on Councilman’s Treviño’s Council Consideration Request (CCR) for Translation Services.
SUMMARY:
An update on Councilman Treviño’s Council Consideration Request (CCR) will be provided to the Neighborhoods and Livability Committee.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On February 3, 2016, Councilman Treviño, Council District 1, requested 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 hearing of certain Boards and Commissions. This request was heard by the Governance Committee on April 27, 2016, and was forwarded to the Neighborhoods and Livability Committee for further discussion and to determine the appropriate policy action.
On June 20, 2016, an update and proposed plan addressing Councilman Treviño’s CCR on Translation Services was presented to the Neighborhoods and Livability Committee. The Committee recommended further study and research in order to develop a comprehensive strategy to address Translation Services for the City of San Antonio. The Committee requested that a recommendation be presented to the Neighborhoods and Livability Committee on August 15, 2016, before the budget is proposed on August 18, 2016.
ISSUE:
A proposal to translate to Spanish the City’s City Council A and B meeting agendas, accompanying memos, and all City press releases will be presented. This proposal also recommends a dedicated interpreter/translator position be added to the Government and Public Affairs Department to provide on-site interpretation at the A and B session meetings. This enhancement will strengthen the current translator/interpreter to Spanish services and the on-call interpreter provided by the City if requested at the Building Standards Board, Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission, Zoning Commission meetings for Development Services and the City Council A and B sessions.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is requesting that the Neighborhood and Livability Committee endorse the recommendation to add Translation Services for the City of San Antonio.