title
CC - ACTION ITEM: Discussion and Direction Regarding: (1) Designation of September 21 - September 27, 2024, as “Culver City United Against Hate Week”; (2) Designation of the “Culver City United Against Hate Week” as a City-Sponsored Campaign; (3) Authorization to the City Manager to Administratively Approve Agreements, Permits and Licenses Needed for the Implementation of this Campaign to Promote Anti- Hate Awareness and to Reinforce the Message of Unity Against Hate and Hate Crimes within the Culver City Community; and (4) FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE REQUIREMENT: Approval of a Related Budget Amendment Appropriating $17,000 from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance to Cover City Costs.
body
Meeting Date: August 12, 2024
Contact Person/Dept.: Michelle Hamilton/Human Resources Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5647
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/07/2024)
Department Approval: Dana Anderson, Human Resources Director (07/22/2024)
______________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding: (1) designation of September 21 - September 27, 2024, as “Culver City United Against Hate Week;” (2) designation of the “Culver City United Against Hate Week” as a City-Sponsored Campaign; (3) authorization to the City Manager to administratively approve agreements, permits and licenses needed to implement this campaign to promote Anti-Hate Awareness and to reinforce the message of unity against hate, and hate crimes within the Culver City Community; and (4) approval of a related budget amendment appropriating $17,000 from the General Fund Unassigned Fund balance to Account No. 10122100.517000 to cover City costs (budget amendment requires four-fifths vote).
BACKGROUND
“United Against Hate” was created by civic leaders in direct response to the sharp rise in expressions of hate in nationwide communities in 2017. Since 2017, state and local leaders, community members, and many others have come together to stand United Against Hate by empowering local residents in every community to reject the hate and implicit biases that infringe upon the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities. The belief, according the “United Against Hate” organization, is that building a safer and more equitable world starts by working together.
In working together to reject hate, communities can promote the restoration of respect and civil discourse, embrace the strength of diversity, and build inclusive and equitable communities for all. No act is too small, as working united in each community is what will defeat hate in all communities.
Culver City, through a combined effort with the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee, has continued its commitment towards educating our community by providing trainings, events and activities that will help provide it with the tools and resources it needs to safely and effectively reject hate and acts of hate in our City and beyond. See below for events hosted in the last Fiscal Year:
• Bystander Intervention Training for the Workplace (June 2024)
• Bystander Intervention Training for Public Spaces (June 2024)
• 2022 Hate Crimes Report Presentation (May 2024)
• Courageous Conversations (March 2024)
• Situational Awareness Training (January 2024)
• United Against Hate Week Campaign (November 2023)
• Latino Heritage Month Celebration (October 2023)
See the following continued Equity Initiatives:
• The Racial Equity Action Plan (February 2024-Present)
• The City of Culver City’s EEOP (March 2024 - Present)
DISCUSSION
In recognition of the severity and alarming rate of increased hate crimes across Los Angeles County as reported in the 2022 Hate Crimes presentation, and if so directed, staff will also bring attention to current efforts and future endeavors to address hate of all kinds within Culver City and beyond through the following potential outreach efforts:
1. The adoption of a Proclamation naming September 21 - September 27 as “Culver City United Against Hate” week as part of the nationwide “United Against Hate Week” initiative;
2. Conducting two (2) community-based trainings sessions facilitated by Right to Be on “Mitigating Implicit Bias” and “Conflict De-Escalation” to further build upon the City’s Bystander Intervention training that was held on June 25, 2024;
3. Inviting local advocacy groups and a member of the City’s Racial Equity Action Plan Consultant team to be physically available at reserved tables and booths at the community trainings listed above to educate and impart valuable information on resources, programs, and opportunities available throughout our community;
4. Securing over-the-street banners, signpost banners and promotional materials promoting the use of 211 to report hate crimes; and
5. Developing a social media campaign to assist in disseminating the “Culver City United Against Hate” and the reporting of Hate Crimes through 211 awareness and messaging.
City Sponsored Campaign:
To become City-sponsored, events need to be specifically designated as a City-sponsored event by the City Council. As part of such City sponsorship, the City could post banners in the public right-of-way to promote the sponsored event. To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must be consistent with criteria set forth by City Council Policy and in Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 17.330.040.B.7.b.ii., confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing 25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000, whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time, materials, a waiver of fees, or any combination thereof. The CCMC and Council Policy requires both (a) and (b) conditions be satisfied. Additionally, in order for an event to be considered City-sponsored, the City Council must determine, by specific action, that the above criteria have been met.
If approved by the City Council, the City will contribute the fees for the street banners, community trainings, and related communications, which would qualify the 2024 “Culver City United Against Hate” Week as a City campaign for City sponsorship.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
If approved, the “Culver City United Against Hate” and 211 awareness campaign will have associated fees of:
(1) Approximately $11,100 for Facilitated Community Trainings on Mitigating Implicit Bias and Bystander intervention 2.0: Conflict De-Escalation;
(2) Approximately $3,588 for over-the-street banner production and installation, light post signage production and installation, and postcards/postcard bulk mail drop; and
(3) Approximately $2,300 for promotion and educational materials to be posted and handed out at the Community Trainings and throughout the City in public spaces.
Funds for this campaign were not included in the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. If City Council approves moving forward with the campaign, a budget amendment appropriating $17,000 from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance to Account No. 10122100.517000 (Human Resources - City Commission Expenses) would be necessary (requires a four-fifths vote). As of June 10, 2024, the projected available General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance is approximately $2.3 million. This amount will not be final until Fiscal Year 2023-2024 is closed which will be in Fall 2024.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. (If desired) approve the designation of September 21, 2024 - September 18, 2023, as “Culver City United Against Hate Week;”
2. (If desired) designate the “Culver City United Against Hate Week” as a City-Sponsored campaign;
3. (If desired) authorize the City Manager to administratively approve agreements, permits and licenses needed to implement this campaign, in order to promote hate crime reporting awareness and the message of unity against hate and hate crimes within the Culver City community; and
4. (If desired) approval of a budget amendment appropriating $17,000 from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance to Account #10122100.517000 (requires a four-fifths vote).