CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: October 7, 2025
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable City Councilmembers
From: Mayor Zollman
Subject: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign onto the “Mayors for Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)” Petition
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign onto the “Mayors for ERA” petition in support of recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). =========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to sign onto the “Mayors for ERA” petition in support of recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The “Mayors for ERA” petition is a national effort to demonstrate widespread municipal support for recognition and enforcement of the ERA. Authorizing the Mayor to sign onto the petition would reaffirm Sebastopol’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and human rights.
PROCESS OF AGENDA ITEM:
1. If item remains on consent, no presentation of item is required. Item would be approved as a consent calendar item.
2. If item is removed from the consent calendar; item would be placed at the end of the regular agenda items or as otherwise determined the Mayor for discussion following the process below:
a. Presentation of agenda item by the Mayor
b. Questions and discussion from Councilmembers
c. Public comment period
d. Council deliberation and motion
BACKGROUND:
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was passed by Congress in 1972 and sent to the states for ratification. The amendment states: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
In January 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the ERA, fulfilling the constitutional requirement for adoption.
Despite this, the ERA has not yet been fully recognized as part of the U.S. Constitution.
The “Mayors for ERA” petition is a national effort to mobilize mayors across the country to demonstrate local government support for the recognition and enforcement of the ERA. The petition affirms the principle that equality under the law should be guaranteed regardless of sex and calls on federal leaders to act.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Sebastopol was approached by California NOW (CA NOW), which has been working on a statewide effort to advance the Equal Rights Amendment. CA NOW is reaching out to Democratic House Members to co-sponsor House Joint Resolution 80, and is also mobilizing support from local governments.
Agenda Item Number: 7
Agenda Item Number: 7
City Council Meeting Packet of: October 7, 2025
On August 5, 2025, the City of Sebastopol proclaimed August 26, 2025, as Women’s Equality Day in the City, marking the 105th anniversary of the enactment of the 19th Amendment, celebrating the achievements of women, and recommitting to gender equality in Sebastopol.
Signing the “Mayors for ERA” petition would further demonstrate Sebastopol’s support for equity, inclusion, and human rights. The action carries no fiscal cost and is consistent with the City’s values of fairness and social justice.
Municipalities across the United States have joined this effort, signaling broad local government support for the ERA. • Mayor Anthony S. Ford of Stockbridge, Georgia
• Mayor John Erickson, West Hollywood, CA
• Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Albany, NY
• Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles, CA
• Mayor London Breed, San Francisco, CA
• Mayor Robert Cantelmo, Ithaca, NY
CITY COUNCIL GOALS/PRIORITIES; AND/OR GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This agenda item represents the City Council goals/priorities as follows:
Goal 4: HIGH PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATION
Restoring public trust
Improve Public Communications
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to schedule meeting date. The City has also used social media to promote and advertise the City Council Meeting Agenda Items.
As of the writing of this agenda item report, the City has not received public comment. If staff receives public comments following the publication and distribution of this agenda item report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting and will be posted to the city website.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact with approval of this item.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to sign onto the “Mayors for ERA” petition in support of recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
OPTIONS:
1. Deny the request for Mayor to sign onto the “Mayors for ERA” petition in support of recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
ATTACHMENTS:
Petition
Agenda Item Number: 7
Agenda Item Number: 7
City Council Meeting Packet of: October 7, 2025
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: 9-30-2025
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: 9-30-2025 The proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Administrative Services (Financial): Approval Date: 9-30-2025 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (f applicable) ___________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: 9-30-2025
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 9-30-2025
Agenda Item Number: 7
Agenda Item Number: 7
City Council Meeting Packet of: October 7, 2025
Support the Equal Rights Amendment! Sign4ERA.org
Forward completed petitions to: Sign4ERA - 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 801– Arlington, VA 22209 I strongly support the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution as the 28th Amendment and which reads:
Equality of Rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.
The ERA passed the Congress by the needed 2/3rd vote of the United States House and the Senate and by the legislatures of the needed 38 states.
Congress must immediately recognize the Equal Rights Amendment and pass the following United States House and Senate resolutions:
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that notwithstanding any time limit contained in House Joint Resolution 208, 92nd Congress, as agreed to in the Senate on March 22, 1972, the article of amendment proposed to the States in that joint resolution is valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution, having been ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States.
Please print clearly – petitions will be submitted to Congress.
First Name Last Name Email Zip Code
Agenda Item Number: 7
Agenda Item Number: 7
City Council Meeting Packet of: October 7, 2025