1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 4, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Judie Wilke, Assistant City Manager
BY: Viviana Garzon, MPA, Administrative Analyst II
SUBJECT: Continued Discussion on the Invocation Period at City Council Meetings
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council could:
1) N ote and file the report; or
2) D irect staff to update the City Council Meeting Agenda with the removal of the Invocation Period and approve the script for the Moment of Reflection that will replace the Invocation Period.
BACKGROUND
At the January 24, 2023, City Council meeting, staff presented a first step staff report on the Invocation Period at the start of Council meetings. The report included the history of the Invocation Period at Burbank Council meetings dating back to 1953 and the legal case in 2000, Rubin v. City of Burbank, where the Court concluded that sectarian prayers as part of Council meetings is not permitted under the Constitution. The report also discussed the City’s current process, in partnership with the Burbank Ministerial Association, to coordinate the speakers leading the invocation at each meeting. Staff provided the results of a survey to other cities regarding an invocation period on their Council meeting agenda. In summary, out of the 95 cities that responded to the survey, 56 cities have a period (the majority title it “invocation”) that includes a type of prayer or inspiring thought and 36 cities do not have this period on their Council meeting agenda.
After discussion, Council directed staff to return with a second step staff report with the option of a Moment of Reflection for Council consideration.
CITY MANAGER’S
OFFICE
2 DISCUSSION
The Moment of Reflection on the Council agenda aims to provide inspiration and guidance for the Council's deliberations. During the seconds of silence after the script is read, individuals are encouraged to take a deep breath, think positive thoughts, connect with their source of inspiration, and reflect on the meaning of their presence in the Council meeting. A draft script for the Moment of Reflection is included for Council’s consideration (Attachment 1).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable i ndirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
CONCLUSION
The Invocation Period has been a part of the Burbank City Council meetings for many years. In many instances, the period has provided a moment of peace and tranquility in difficult times. For the most part, the period has been a positive start to every Council meeting and welcomed by the Burbank community. Should Council decide to take a new approach to this period on the Council agenda, the Moment of Reflection will also aim to be peaceful and unifying.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Draft script for the Moment of Reflection