(a) During the first quarter of each fiscal year, the department shall hold public meetings for the purposes of gathering information and testimony on the availability and need of social services in the regional office service areas designated by the department.
(b) Notice of these public meetings shall be made by publication in newspapers of general circulation published in each region at least once each week for three successive weeks before the meeting.
(c) All meetings shall be recorded. The recordings and all information submitted at the meeting shall be maintained by the department for a period of at least two years.