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Ethics commissioners push outreach plan: podcast, simplified complaint flowchart and multilingual materials
Summary
Commissioners discussed expanding outreach through a simplified complaint flowchart, the city's podcast and City Connect mixers, and using the NDAT community ambassador program to help translate materials; staff said translations have not yet been completed.
Commissioners at the Sacramento Ethics Commission’s May 23 meeting debated how best to make the commission’s complaint process and role clearer to residents, focusing on simpler presentation materials, multilingual access and media outreach.
Commissioner Emery, who has been presenting outreach materials to neighborhood associations, said the goal is to make the content understandable to the average person and emphasized that residents must file complaints for the commission to act. "Do not come to the ethics commission because you got a parking ticket," Emery said, underscoring the need to clarify what the commission handles.
Chair Lofaso and Commissioner Tao both urged simplifying the complaint flowchart and breaking complex slides into smaller, more user-friendly screens so audiences can see when they should expect a response. Chair Lofaso noted that "if your complaint is timely rejected for lack of jurisdiction, you're supposed to hear in about 2 weeks," and requested clearer public-facing timing guidance.
Commissioner Tao recommended broadening outreach beyond neighborhood associations to community-based organizations and asked whether materials were available in languages other than English. Mindy Cuppy, city clerk and staff to the commission, said the materials have not been translated yet but that the NDAT community ambassador program and the city’s community engagement manager could assist with translation and localized presentations. "They would be the people that were translating that PowerPoint and making that for you," Cuppy said.
The commissioners also discussed media outreach options including the city's "Sack Vibes" podcast and City Connect mixers as efficient ways to reach residents. Gary Lindsey, general counsel, said there is no restriction on commissioners speaking individually to media, but Cuppy reminded the panel that commissioners may not speak on behalf of the commission without full-commission approval.
No formal action was required on the outreach item; commissioners agreed to follow up with staff on translations, printed materials (postcards and brochures) and whether to add a standing agenda item to track outreach progress.
