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48 <br /> 1 Commissioner Carter proposed listening sessions tied to projects or topics as a pilot, <br /> 2 acknowledging the trust deficit requiring commissioner time investment balanced against staff time. She <br /> 3 saw value in commissioners receiving direct community input they might not get otherwise. <br /> 4 Commissioner Bedford said having listening sessions tied to the project-based initiatives would <br /> 5 make more sense. <br /> 6 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she wants to be available to hear from the public. She said she <br /> 7 would like to get in front of controversial future issues to address community concerns. <br /> 8 Commissioner Carter said she agrees with tying sessions to specific topics as a pilot. <br /> 9 Commissioner Greene asked what constituted a pilot, leading to discussion about the format. <br /> 10 Commissioner Carter suggested that two commissioners could lead each session. <br /> 11 Chair Hamilton proposed that there be three pilot sessions so that each commissioner has a <br /> 12 chance to participate. <br /> 13 Commissioner Bedford distinguished between two purposes: rebuilding trust/community <br /> 14 availability versus communicating information and gathering input. She said she preferred staff-led topic- <br /> 15 specific sessions while commissioners maintain community relationships through other venues like <br /> 16 organizational meetings and community events. <br /> 17 The discussion revealed complexity around meeting notice requirements when multiple <br /> 18 commissioners attend, with Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen noting that four or more commissioners <br /> 19 conducting county business would trigger open meetings law requirements, including advanced notice, <br /> 20 minutes, and agendas. <br /> 21 Commissioner McKee emphasized keeping sessions informal, though acknowledged formal <br /> 22 requirements if multiple commissioners attended. <br /> 23 Chair Hamilton proposed returning to this discussion after further consideration, moving <br /> 24 forward with project-based stakeholder groups and periodic board updates while thinking more carefully <br /> 25 about listening session formats and goals. <br /> 26 Commissioner Carter asked when they would return to the topic. <br /> 27 Chair Hamilton indicated that the chair and vice chair would review the schedule during their <br /> 28 regular meeting reviews. <br /> 29 <br /> 30 c.Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) and Orange County's Online Content <br /> 31 The Board received a report on the changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and <br /> 32 how they will impact County business. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 BACKGROUND: The 2024 update to the Americans with Disabilities Act sets a new standard for making <br /> 35 government websites and digital services accessible by requiring compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. <br /> 36 Essentially, this means Orange County's online content (websites, forms, PDFs, and service portals) must <br /> 37 be easier to see, use, and understand for people with disabilities, especially visual and hearing <br /> 38 disabilities. The update puts more focus on mobile access, clearer navigation, and making sure all users <br /> 39 can complete tasks without barriers. For Orange County, this will require reviewing and fixing existing <br /> 40 content, building accessibility into new projects, and ensuring staff and vendors follow these standards <br /> 41 going forward.Jurisdictions of Orange County's size need to meet these requirements by April 24, 2026. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 Paul Slack, Chief Civil Rights Officer, made the following presentation: <br /> 44 <br /> 45 <br />