The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutResolution 93-110 05/03/19931 ~~S®IL,it10C~ N~. 93-110 ~.C.S. ' 1 of the City of Petaluma, California 2 3 4 5 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF TIIE CITY OF PETALUIVIA 6 ADOPTING POLICY FOR OPEIVI]KG CEREIVi[O1~dIES OF PUBLIC 7 1VIEETINGS CONDUCTED BY TIIE PETALUIVIA CITY COUNCIL 8 9 10 WHEREAS, the Petaluma City Council has traditionally invited the presentation of thoughts, 11 readings and invocations, .along with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, as an Opening Ceremony 12 before certain of its meetings; and 13 14 WHEREAS, it is the formal policy of the Petaluma City Council to allow, without 15 preference, a wide variety of community organizations, churches and individuals to offer thoughts, 16 readings,. moments of silence and reflection and invocations at Council meetings to achieve its. stated 17 purpose; and 18 19 WHEREAS., it is not the intent to inject any belief, philosophy or religion into a City 20 function but to allow a moment of solemnity and reflection .and to honor those persons who founded 21 this country and state by continuing a practice established by them and allow the many varied and 22 diverse paints of view held by the community. 23 24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Petaluma City Council does hereby adopt. 25 the .policy for opening ceremonies of public meetings conducted by the Petaluma City Council 26 attached hereto as Exhibit. A. 27 28 29 c:\~ord5\reso.doc 30 5/I2~/93 (fmk) Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City. REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Approved as to Council of the City of Petaluma at a (Regular) (>x>~~t~ meeting fO~ on the .---~x~ ............... day of ................Ma.~i...-....-._.....................-., 19.9:3., by the -~ ~~ following vote: City Attorney AYES: Nelson, Read, Shea, Hamilton, Vice Mayor Sobel, Mayor Hilligoss NOES: None ABSENT: arlas _ . ATTEST : .. .... ............. ... ~ .. ..... ............-......... .. .,-- ity Clerk ayor Council Fil(e1 .................................... CA 10-85 Res. No....../.~.-.1.1.0........ N.C.S. ,x, ._;~ POLICYs..OPENING CEREMbNIE5 OF PUBLIC MEETINGS` CONDUCTED BY COUNCIL I. The Presentation of Thoucthts, Re'a'dings, Moments of Silence and Reflection, and Invocations at Petaluma C Council Meetings. A. Purpose and Policy. The Petaluma City Council has traditionally invited the presentation of thoughts,_ readings and invocations, along with, the Pledge of Allegiance to the. Flag, as an Opening Ceremony before certain of its meetings. This opening to the City's legislative process is intended solely for a secular purpose, among other reasons, to: (1) provide a moment during which.Councilmembers and the audience can reflect on the: importance of the business before the Council; (2) promote an atmosphere of civility; (3') recognize cultural diversity.; (4) foster sensitivity for and recognize the uniqueness-of all segments of our community. The presentations shall be done on a volunteer basis and without cost to the City. The presentations .are intended to be non- denoininational, and non-proselyt_:zing in character; however, the City will not dictate the content of any such presentation. It is the formal policy of the, Petaluma City Council, t'o a.llow, without preference, a wide variety of community organizations, churches and individuals to offer thoughts readings, moments of silence and reflection and invocations at Council meetings to achieve its stated purposes. It is not the intent to inject .any belief, philosophy or religion into a City function but to honor those°persons who founded this country and state by continuing a practice established by them and 'allow-the many varied, and diverse points of view held by the community, B. Procedure. 1.,; Thoughts, readings, moments of silence and reflection and invocations.,. together with a Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, will be given at the beginning of. regular Council meet°ings . ~.: .~ 2. The City Clerk or a designee will coordinate such presentations. When the scheduled individual does not attend the meeting, the Council will not take any last minute substitutions and the meeting will begin without any such presentation, except for the Pledge to the Flag. 3. Individuals who. want to participate are welcome to do so at a Counc meeting by :requesting,, in writing, ari opportunity through the City Clerk. The attached "Sug;gestons'for Presenters" will _ be available to each ..person who is to give a presentation as a memoralization of the Council's objectives and desires regarding this issue. 4. In order to better inform those attending Council meetings that thoughts and readings, moments of silence or reflection, and invocations, are welcome at Council meetings, the title on the section of 'the Council'~agenda will read' "Thought./Reading/Moment of Silence or Reflection/Invocation." 5. Any such presentation shall be no longer than three (3 )' minutes in length and presented in a manner that is dignified.and consistent with the intent of this policy-and all applicable regulations. II. Other Public Gatherings Conductedsby the Council. A. Purpose and Policy. Consistent with Section I.A.;~above, it may be appropr'-ate to have Opening, Ceremonies for°other public meetings and gatherings; conducted under the auspices of .the Council.. B. Content-.and Procedure. The Chair designated to conduct such a public ,, meeting„may establish an~appropriate Opening Ceremony., consistent with the theme and purpose of that.occasion. III. Council Modification. Any ceremony selected by the Chairperson may be modified, cancelled or amended by a majority vote of the Council. ,. -~- RES®. 9,3 - 11 0 N C SUGGESTIONS. FOR THOSE WHO PRESENT THOUGHTS/ READINGS'/MOMENTS OF SILENCE AND REFLECTiDN/ INVOGATIQNS IN PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Thank you .for taking-the time to volunteer to continue. our tradition and. custom of presenting a thought./reading/moment o:f silence and reflection/invocation at a City Counca meeting. We have found from long experience that such activities as a part. of the Opening Ceremony at the beginning of Council,. meet-ngs creates a thoughtful atmosphere n'which• to perform our services to the community. The practice promotes civility, sensitivity and cultural diversity. We recogn=ze that we live in:a community where. there are many and diverse points of view with respect to beliefs, faith,-and philosophy. No preference shall be given to any points of view or beliefs.. Therefore, to eliminate or reduce offense, if your belief or philosophy allows you to do so, we ask that your presentation comply with the following:' 1. References which may recognize or be unique to a particular religious belief should be avoided. 2. 'The presentation should not include an attempt to concert or advance any particular faith, -belief or philosophy or disparage any other faith., belief or philosophy. 3. All such'~presentations will be made gratuitously-and as a part of the.. Opening Ceremony of each of the City Council's regular meetings, which will also include a Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 4. Any such presentation sha•11 be no longer than three (3) minutes in length and presented in a manner that is dignified and consistent with the intent of the po icy and applicable .regulations. The City will not regulate or dictate the form or substance of a presentation. Rather, these guidelines are to remind you. of the cultural diversity of the community and request that all statements be sensitive to the feelings of others and, promote understanding, elevate motives and create RED®. ~ ~• 1 1 0 N C~S~ .. t. d a .more civil environment for conducting the public's business. .PETALUMA CI COUNCIL* / ~. /~ ~ _ By or *P.er Council Resolution No. g3-110 NC~f May 3, '1.9.93 ~~~®. ~ ~ - 11 ~o N C S