9/20/2024
1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
UPDATE ON SPANISH INTERPRETATION
AND TRANSLATION OF
CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETING
BROADCASTS AND AGENDAS
Governmental Processes Committee
October 2, 2024
Department of Marketing and Communications
RiversideCA.gov
2 May 5, 2021 – Options presented to expand language access; Staff was directed to research options regarding Spanish translation of Council & Committee meetings, agendas, and materials.
BACKGROUND
October 6, 2021 – Staff explored automated Spanish caption system used by RivCo; new software release anticipated to eliminate ongoing manual translation costs.
July 7, 2021 – Estimated costs and options presented.
Staff directed to research less costly options.
September 7, 2022 – Staff presented update to automated captioning system and options for implementing translated agendas and in-person interpretation of Council and Committee meetings.
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2 RiversideCA.gov
3 BACKGROUND
December 13, 2022 – The City Council approved the staff recommendation of automated Spanish captions for online viewers, in- person interpreter services, and translated agendas accessible via the Legistar meeting calendar.
April 19, 2023 – RFP No. 2270 was issued for live, in-person Spanish interpretation services at City Council and Committee meetings. Focus Language International Inc. of Victorville, California, was selected as the most responsive and qualified provider.
November 14, 2023 – City Council approved a Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Focus Language International Inc. for live, in- person Spanish interpretation at City Council and Committee meetings, and on an on-call basis.
RiversideCA.gov
4 DISCUSSION
On May 7, 2024, during the City Council meeting, Councilmember Falcone requested a re-examination of the Spanish translation services provided for all City Council and Committee meetings, including an analysis of the associated costs and viewership data for these services.
Translation Services:
Translation of City Council and Committee agendas are coordinated by the City Clerks Office with a third-party Spanish translation vendor and posted in Legistar upon receipt of translated material. 3 4
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5 DISCUSSION
Interpretation services offer accessibility for Spanish-speaking participants, a minimum of two interpreters are provided, offering Spanish interpretation through the following channels:
Live Video Broadcast - Spanish
interpretation is available
through voice-over and video
captions during live broadcasts.
Headsets - In-person
meeting attendees can
access real-time Spanish
interpretation with headsets.
Public Comment – For public comments made in Spanish, English interpretation is provided to the City Council, Council Committee, public, and City staff.
RiversideCA.gov
6 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
On August 7, 2024, the Governmental Processes Committee recommended discontinuing Spanish interpretation services for all Committee meetings and proposed discussing the cost breakdown for Spanish translation services for City Council and Committee meeting agendas. During the meeting, it was decided to continue providing Spanish translation and interpretation for City Council meetings and agendas.
Chair Falcone requested to return to the Governmental Processes Committee for further discussion.
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4 RiversideCA.gov
7 CITY COUNCIL & COMMITTEE VIEWS
Total Number of Views
(Spanish)
Total Number of Views
(English)Meeting
2471,045City Council
1275Economic Development Committee
1682Finance Committee
1790Governmental Processes Committee
56229Housing & Homelessness Committee
177Land Use Committee
326Mayor’s Nominating and Screening Committee
3490Mobility & Infrastructure Committee
1896Safety, Wellness & Youth Committee
January 17, 2024 – July 23, 2024
4041,810Total
RiversideCA.gov
8 ASSOCIATED COSTS TO DATE
Interpretation
Services
$22,977.00
Total Costs
$30,374.98
Agenda
Translation
Services
$7,397.98
Total Council
and Committee
Meetings
37 January 17, 2024 – June 30, 2024
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5 RiversideCA.gov
9 ASSOCIATED COSTS TO DATE
City Council
Agenda
Translation
Services
$6,851.16
Total Costs
$7,983.75
Committee Agenda
Translation Services
$1,132.59
January 1, 2024 – July 30, 2024
RiversideCA.gov
10 ESTIMATED COSTS
Committee meetings are estimated:
• $35,000 annually
• 8 meetings per month (2 hrs each),
$368 each
New estimation for FY 24 – 25: $95,000
FY 2024-2025: Council meetings estimated:
• $60,000 annually,
• 3 meetings per month (3 hrs, each),
$1,650 each
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11 Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government
Goal 5.2 – Utilize technology, data, and process improvement strategies to increase efficiencies, guide decision making, and ensure services are accessible and distributed equitably throughout all geographic areas of the city.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Cross-Cutting Threads
RiversideCA.gov
12 That the Governmental Processes Committee:
1. Receive an update on the services performed for Spanish translation and interpretation of City Council and Committee meetings, broadcasts, and agendas; and
2. Provide further direction for City Council consideration on Spanish translation services.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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