REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Written Petition (Council Policy 030) Submitted by Councilmember Becker Requesting to Place an Agenda Item at a Future Council Meeting to Consider a Policy to Normalize and make Consistent Speaking at Public Events
Report
BOARD PILLARS
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Council Policy 030 - Adding an Item on the Agenda (Attachment 1) sets forth the procedure for written petitions. Any member of the public or Council may submit a written request raising any issue or item within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. Per the policy, the written request will be submitted on the agenda, in the form substantially provided by the requestor, without any staff analysis, including fiscal review, legal review and policy review. If a simple majority of the City Council supports further study of the request, then a full staff analysis shall be prepared within thirty (30) days, unless otherwise directed by the City Council.
DISCUSSION
The City Clerk's Office received a Council Written Request on September 5, 2023 requesting to place an agenda item at a future council meeting to consider a policy to normalize and make consistent speaking at public events. (Attachment 2).
Here is my 030 written petition to be placed on the September 12, 2023 Council meeting. I am submitting for council consideration a policy to normalize and make consistent speaking at public events. While this is not prevented, a narrow interpretation of supported policies often leaves Councilmembers without a channel to address their constituents, even within their own districts.
An inclusive policy would allow Councilmembers to address the public regardless of jurisdiction, especially within their representative districts. These interactions would be scheduled or agendized for each event and opportunity and coordinated with event planners, just like multi-jurisdictional events outside of the city. In addition, I would like th...
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