WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – The Williams City Council went beyond the requirements of California law last week by instructing city staff to translate meeting agendas into Spanish.
Council members gave the direction at their regular meeting on Sept. 16 after reviewing Senate Bill 707, which primarily pertains to cities with populations over 30,000.
Mayor Pro Tem Maria Belmontes-Leyva brought the proposal forward.
“I do think that it’s a good idea because of the demographics of our population,” Belmontes Leyva said.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Williams’ population at 5,529. About 85.2% of residents are Hispanic or Latino, and 70.9% of those age 5 and older speak a language other than English at home, according to 2020-2024 data.
Only the pages listing upcoming business will be converted, while reports and attachments will remain in English.
Belmontes-Leyva favored having bilingual city employees complete the work instead of hiring a certified translator for each meeting. City Manager Yvonne Kimball said digital tools could be used before the wording is checked for accuracy.
Beginning July 1, the law required affected cities to also offer two-way telephone or audiovisual participation, including an opportunity to comment remotely. They must also translate agendas and public-meeting webpages into qualifying languages and include instructions for joining online. Municipalities within counties of at least 600,000 residents also fall under the legislation.
City Attorney Andreas Booher said Williams chose to take the additional step to translate the agenda, despite the city’s exemption.
“The city’s not required to provide this service,” Booher said. “This is really the city going above and beyond to offer an additional service.”
Councilmember John Troughton Jr. raised the possibility in the future of bringing in a certified interpreter when a controversial issue is expected to draw Spanish-speaking residents. He cited Proposition 218 proceedings involving proposed utility rates or assessments as an example of the need. Currently, Spanish speaking staff informally translate for members of the council, staff, and the public who do not understand the language.
Booher said live interpretation was not included in the action before them, but could be considered in the future when an issue warrants it.
Each translated document will carry a disclaimer stating that the English version remains official and will prevail if the wording differs, officials said.