City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 26, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.K
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: David White, City Manager, City Manager's Office
Denise Anderson Warren, City Clerk, Records & Elections Services Department
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Amending and Restating the Civility at Public Meetings Policy set forth in Resolution No. 10642 (CCS) Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Adopt the attached resolution to amend and restate the Civility at Public Meetings set forth in resolution No. 10642 (CCS) (the Civility Policy).
Summary
This report complies with Council direction to staff on July 26, 2022 to return with a resolution to adopt and promote a statement against hate. The statement against hate has been added to the City’s Code of Ethics and will be incorporated to the Code of Civility for public meetings through the attached resolution. The resolution was previously adopted on December 13, 2011, and would be amended and restated if Council adopts the attached resolution (Attachment A).
Discussion
The City of Santa Monica has seen increase in antisemitic, transphobic, homophobic, racist, and discriminatory hate speech targeted at both individuals and groups in recent years. Since 2020, Council has reaffirmed its commitment to equity and inclusion in a number of ways, including support for the creation of a Racial Equity Committee 2 of 3
comprised of city staff from every department who develop and lead projects aimed at increasing equity each year, support for equity impact assessments to measure the impact of our work as a city organization, and a commitment to an ongoing review of city policies to identify areas where the city’s commitment to equity can be strengthened.
While equity and inclusion have been core values of the City for the last 5 years, these values have not been embedded in foundational documents for the city, including our Code of Ethics and City Council’s Code of Civility for public meetings. In July of 2022, Council directed staff to amend these policies to clearly state its position regarding hate motivated incidents in Santa Monica. The change has been made to the City’s Code of Ethics, and staff has prepared a resolution to amend and restate the civility at public meetings policy set forth in Resolution No. 10642 (CCS) (Attachment A) , which is excerpted below and attached to this report for adoption by Council.
Statement Against Hate
Hate has no place in Santa Monica. Across the nation and here in Santa Monica, we have witnessed an increase in antisemitic, transphobic, homophobic, racist and discriminatory hate speech targeted at both individuals and groups. Equity and inclusion remain at the core of Santa Monica’s values, and the City will not allow abusive or threatening hate speech, intolerance, or dehumanization to prevail over basic civil respect and human decency. We will continue to celebrate, include, and uplift the diverse communities who live, work, and play in Santa Monica.
Environmental Review
The Civility Policy is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed policy would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is categorically exempt from CEQA. 3 of 3
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
July 26, 2022 Request of Mayor Himmelrich and Councilmembers Davis and de la Torre that the City Council adopt and promote the attached statement against hate and direct the City Manager and City Clerk to incorporate its language into the City’s Code of Ethics and the City Council’s Code of Civility for public meetings.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of recommended action. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future.
Prepared By: Lisa Parson, Equity and Inclusion Manager
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Amended and Restated Civility Policy
B. Written Comments