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EHRAC: ACTION ITEM - (1) RECEIVE AND FILE A REPORT FROM THE FEBRUARY 2026 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE; (2) IF SO DESIRED, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATIONS; AND (3) DETERMINE NEXT STEPS AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE.
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Meeting Date: January 27, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Michelle Hamilton/Human Resources
Phone Number: (310) 253-5647
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (01/21/2026) ; (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Equity & Human Relations Advisory Committee (01/21/2026); (E-Mail) All City Staff (01/21/2026)
Department Approval Name, Title Date: Dana Anderson, Human Resources Director (01/21/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee: (1) receive and file a report from the February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee; (2) if so desired, discuss and consider approval of the report’s recommendations; and (3) determine next steps as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
At the July 22, 2025, Regular Meeting, a discussion took place regarding the biannual workplan. EHRAC reached consensus to host a community conversation in or around February 2026.
At the August 19, 2025, Special Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to form a February 2026 Community Conversations Ad Hoc Subcommittee, appoint Vice Chair McBride and Members Bano, Rona and Valverde thereto, and to hear a report from the February Community Conversations Ad Hoc Subcommittee at the September 16, 2025, Special Meeting.
At the September 16, 2025, Special Meeting, EHRAC reached consensus to receive and file the report from the February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee (Attachment 1) and hear a report from the February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee at the October 21, 2025, Special Meeting.
On September 10, 2025, after a review the February 2026 Community Conversations September Report, the February 2026 Ad Hoc Subcommittee members received the following recommendations based on the Establishment Clause from staff via email:
“[EHRAC must]…remain viewpoint neutral when it comes to religion before, during, and after the event. This includes inviting participation from secular and non-secular persons or groups, and ensuring the program is not advancing or inhibiting religion(s). Persons of all backgrounds should be encouraged to attend, and this should not be marketed or conducted as a “religious” event and/or promoting any type of religious beliefs”.
At the September 16, 2025, Special Meeting, after a reiteration of the above legal instruction, EHRAC reached consensus to receive and file the report from the February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee (Attachment 1) and hear a report from the February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee at the October 21, 2025, Special Meeting.
At the October 21, 2025, Special Meeting, further legal instruction and reminders of the above constitutional considerations were given to ensure inclusion and necessity of ensuring the neutrality/nondenominational nature of all materials and handouts. EHRAC reached consensus to entitle the February 2026 Community Conversation “Compassion in Action: An Interfaith Response to Injustice,” received and filed the report from the February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee (Attachment 2), and to hear a report from the February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee at the January 27, 2026, Regular Meeting.
DISCUSSION
Review the report from the February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee (Attachment 3), discuss, and determine next steps as deemed appropriate. Items to be addressed include but are limited to the following:
• Event location
• Event time
• Event tasks
• Selected panelists
• Community volunteers
• Inspiring quotes handout
• Event Flyer
• Review of event theme and City and legal guidelines
FISCAL ANALYSIS
As of the January 16, 2026, February 2026 Community Conversations Ad Hoc Subcommittee report, there will be fees in an amount up to $900.00 for the facilitation of the event, snacks, drinks, and/or materials.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-01-27_ATT1_ February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report_09102025
2. 2026-01-27_ATT2_ February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report_10102025
2. 2026-01-27_ATT3_ February 2026 Community Conversation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report_01162026
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the Equity and Human relations Advisory Committee:
1. Receive and file a report from the members of the February 2026 Community Conversations Ad Hoc Subcommittee;
2. If so desired, discuss and consider approval of the report’s recommendations; and
3. Determine next steps as deemed appropriate.