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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Adopting City Council Policy Statement No 3005 (Prohibition on Campaign Activity During Public Meetings of City Council, Commissions, Boards and Committees).
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Meeting Date: July 8, 2024
Contact Person/Dept: Heather Baker/City Attorney
Phone Number: (310) 253-5660
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/02/2024);
Department Approval: Heather Baker, City Attorney (06/27/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution adopting City Council Policy Statement No. 3005 (Prohibition on Campaign Activity During Public Meetings of City Council, Commissions, Boards and Committees).
BACKGROUND
Recent campaign-related public comments, and subsequent questions from the public about the appropriateness of such comments, prompted a reexamination of the City's past practice of disallowing campaign activity in the City Council Chambers.
This City Council considered this matter at its May 28, 2024 meeting. The following background is paraphrased from the May 28, 2024 staff report:
Historically, speakers who have "campaigned" from the podium (i.e., supporting/opposing ballot measures and council candidates at upcoming elections) have been admonished that campaigning is prohibited in the Council Chambers. This limitation originated from the old City Charter Section 902, which stated, in pertinent part: "No person shall engage in political activities within facilities used by the City for the conduct of government business." This language was carried over to the current Charter Section 1404 as follows:
The officers and employees of the City shall not engage in, nor shall the facilities of the City be used for, improper political activities. The City Council shall have the au...
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