Perspectives on social equity in local government administration: Scheduling a city council hearing during San Diego’s COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Learning how to ensure public access and advance social equity in the legislative process is critical to navigating an ambiguous local government context. This case study compares and contrasts the perspectives of and diverse demands on two public administrators, the San Diego City Clerk and the Chief of Staff to the San Diego City Council President, as they navigate the critical decision to hold a City Council hearing to consider emergency actions, including direction to draft an eviction moratorium, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Through presenting the viewpoints of a leader in an independent city operations department and a leader in an elected official's office, we demonstrate how to analyze and think critically, facilitate public participation, and lead in the public interest. This case study encourages students to develop an awareness of these perspectives and to reflect on social equity through the lens of public access and the legislative process. © 2023 Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.