1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: July 16, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Courtney Padgett, Assistant City Manager
VIA: Joseph McDougall, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Discussion on a Letter of Support for the President ’s Proposal and/or a Ceasefire Resolution Pertaining to the Middle East
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction to staff on how to proceed with Council’s request to consider a letter of support for the President’s proposal and/or a ceasefire resolution pertaining to the Middle East.
BACKGROUND
At the June 4 , 2024, Council meeting, Council Member Anthony requested a first step report for Council to discuss consideration of a letter of support for the President’s Middle East proposal. At the June 25, 2024, Council meeting, Council Member Anthony modified this request to also include in the report Council discussion to consider a ceasefire resolution.
DISCUSSION
President’s Proposal
On May 31, 2024, the President of the United States of America addressed the nation and provided information pertaining to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The President stated that over the past several months, the nation’s foreign policy negotiators, the intelligence community, and the like have focused intensely on achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict. After extensive diplomacy and discussions with leaders from multiple Middle Eastern countries, the President outlined a proposal aimed at achieving a durable ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
CITY MANAGER’S
OFFICE
2 The proposal outlines three phases:
1) Phase One (Six Weeks): Includes a full ceasefire, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, release of hostages (including American citizens), return of remains of deceased hostages, civilian return to homes in Gaza, and humanitarian aid distribution.
2) Phase Two: Includes the exchange and release of all remaining hostages, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and conditional transition from temporary to permanent ceasefire pending Hamas compliance.
3) Phase Three: Focuses on major reconstruction in Gaza and final humanitarian gestures.
The proposal seeks to bring stability and security to the region and the President pledged the government’s assistance in achieving a diplomatic resolution. The President urged the global community to support this crucial initiative for peace to end the ongoing conflict and suffering.
Established in 1945 and comprised of 193 member states, the United Nations (UN) is a worldwide organization that promotes international peace, security, cooperation, and addresses global challenges through multilateral diplomacy. The United States presented the Middle East proposal to the UN, and it was adopted by the UN Security Council as Resolution 2735 (Attachment 1) on June 10, 2024. The UN called for all parties to fully implement the terms of the proposal without delay and without condition.
Council commonly authors letters to regional, state, and federal leaders to demonstrate the City’s support or opposition regarding items included in Council’s approved legislative platform, pertaining to pending legislation, and when seeking funding or support for projects. A draft letter of support for the President’s proposal and UN resolution is provided for Council’s consideration (Attachment 2). The letter of support aligns with the broader goals of promoting peace, stability, and prosperity globally and efforts to address the humanitarian crisis, enhance security, and foster international cooperation. Should Council approve a letter of support, copies of the letter will be sent to the President of the United States and state and federal representatives for the City of Burbank.
Resolution
Council Members serve as the elected legislative and policy -making body of the City of Burbank, enacting laws and directing any actions necessary to provide for the general welfare of the community through appropriate programs, services, and activit ies.
According to the Charter of the City of Burbank § 500: ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS OR MOTIONS, the Council may take official action only by the passage or adoption of ordinances, resolutions, or motions, as may be prescribed by the Constitution or Laws of the State of California and the provisions of the Charter.
3 Generally, Council has considered resolutions related to grant applications, agreements, and acceptance of funds or general City agreements. Other common topics for resolutions have included items related to employee salary, building development standards, and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions. On occasion, Council has considered resolutions related to international conflicts or global policy.
Per the request of Council Member Anthony at the June 25, 2024, Council meeting , a proposed resolution pertaining to the conflict in the Middle East provided by members of the community at the meeting is included for reference (Attachment 3) to assist with Council’s discussion. Subsequent to the modification of the agenda item on June 25, 2024, several additional proposed documents were received from members of the community and are included for Council’s review:
• A second proposed resolution submitted via e-mail July 7, 2024 (Attachment 4) • A proposed statement of unity and declaration of unity submitted via e- mail July 10, 2024 (Attachment 5)
• A proposed letter of support for the President’s proposal submitted via e-mail July 10, 2024 (Attachment 6)
It is noted that the proposed resolutions, statement/declaration, and letter of support may not reflect or represent the diverse viewpoints, perspectives, or sentiments of the entire community or Council’s desired direction on this topic. Additionally, staff were unable to verify or validate particular data contained within the submitted documents.
Potential Council Options
In response to the current conflict in the Middle East, Council may consider the following options:
1. Take no action and note and file the report, or
2. Direct staff to bring back a second step report, and/or
3. In the interest of time, forego the customary second step report and approve a letter signed by all members of the Burbank City Council supporting the President’s proposal, and/or
4. Direct staff on the desired process to complete work product for a ceasefire resolution.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect 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.
4 FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
CONCLUSION
The City of Burbank is a community that values inclusi vity, diversity, equity, and peace.
The City recognizes that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has affected the lives of many members of our community and understands the importance of international diplomacy in addressing complex and multifaceted global challenges.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – United Nations Resolution
Attachment 2 – Draft Letter of Support for the President’s Proposal Attachment 3 – Proposed Resolution Provided by Members of the Community #1 Attachment 4 – Proposed Resolution Provided by Members of the Community #2 Attachment 5 – Proposed Statement on Unity/Declaration of Unity Provided by Members of the Community
Attachment 6 – Proposed Letter of Support for the President’s Proposal Provided by Members of the Community