We are off and running with live in-person simultaneous interpretation at our City Council meetings. The July 16, 2024, Council meeting included an historic moment when the Mayor opened up the Council meeting to announce this important resource will now be a part of all of our Council meetings moving forward.

The Mayor introduced our interpreters for this first meeting, Hugo Santos-Gomez and Regina Santos, who explained how the simultaneous interpretation process works with the use of headsets. Two of our Bilingual LEAD Goleta Academy Graduates, Mary Viurquez and Leonardo Dominguez, were there to express their gratitude.

“I want to thank you for giving all Spanish speakers the opportunity to participate in our City Council meetings.” said Mary Viurquez “This resource, like the Bilingual LEAD Academy, it shows us that the City is a place where Spanish speakers also have a right to let their voice be heard”.

“Thank you to the Mayor, Council, and City for taking note of us,” said Leonardo Dominguez. “It’s important for Spanish speakers to be aware of what happens in our City.”

Agendas are available in Spanish. You can find them here in advance of meetings: https://www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas.

We hope the addition of Spanish interpretation at Council meetings and Spanish agendas will be a valuable resource for the community for years to come. Please help us spread the word that this resource is available to our community.

Mary Viurquez providing public comment (pictured with interpreter Regina Santos)


Leonardo Dominguez providing public comment (pictured with interpreter Regina Santos)