1 City Council Meeting: September 26, 2023 Santa Monica, California RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA AMENDING AND RESTATING THE CIVILITY AT PUBLIC MEETINGS POLICY SET FORTH IN RESOLUTION NO. 10642 (CCS) WHEREAS, Council adopted Resolution 10642 (CCS) Endorsing Standards of Behavior that Promote Civility at All Public Meetings (the Civility Policy) on December 13, 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Civility Policy sets forth guidelines to encourage and facilitate the democratic process, individual rights of expression, robust debate, and tolerance for disparate views; and
WHEREAS, the Civility Policy applies to all persons attending public meetings in Santa Monica; and
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, as a Council Discussion Item, the Council gave direction to adopt and promote a statement against hate, and to add it to the City’s Code of Ethics and Code of Civility for public meetings; and WHEREAS, the Council now wishes to amend and restate the Civility Policy in Resolution No. 10642 (CCS) to include the City’s Statement Against Hate, as adopted by Council at its July 26, 2022 meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
2 SECTION 1. The Civility Policy set forth in Resolution No. 10642 (CCS) is hereby amended and restated to read:
In order to safeguard participatory democracy in Santa Monica, all persons attending public meetings in Santa Monica shall strive to:
1. Treat everyone courteously;
2. Listen to others respectfully;
3. Exercise self-control;
4. Give open-minded consideration to all viewpoints;
5. Focus on the issues and avoid personalizing debate;
6. Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive public process, and tools for forging sound decisions.
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.
Be it Further Resolved, that the City Council, all City Boards and Commissions, and City staff shall promote the use of and adherence to these guidelines for behavior at all public meetings within the City.
3 SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Douglas Sloan, City Attorney