REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kelly Rodriguez, Assistant Chief of Police
Travis K. Hopkins, Assistant City Manager
Subject:
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Consider Regulations Related to Rules of Civility and Decorum at Public Meetings and at City Hall by Approving for Introduction Ordinance No. 4220 to Add Chapter 2.29 to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code (HBMC), and Adopting Resolution No. 2020-62 Related to Rules of Decorum at Public Meetings
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Statement of Issue:
During the past year, as society has worked to address complex issues ranging from COVID-19 to social unrest, the Huntington Beach community, like many jurisdictions, has experienced a decline in traditional levels of civility and decorum during public discourse. To help address the situation, staff has worked to develop proposed rules of civility and decorum for public meetings and at City Hall through Resolution No. 2020-62 and Ordinance No. 4220.
Financial Impact:
None.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4220, “An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach Adding Chapter 2.29 to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Regarding Conduct on City Hall Campus;” and,
B) Adopt Resolution No. 2020-62, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Governing Rules of Decorum at Public Meetings.”
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not adopt proposed rules and provide staff with additional direction.
Analysis:
In an effort to promote more civil discourse and dialogue, presented for City Council consideration are Resolution No. 2020-62, and Ordinance No. 4220.
Resolution No. 2020-62 seeks to adopt rules of decorum that would be applicable to all public meetings for those with a formal association with the City. The guidelines call for elected officials, board members, commissioners, committee members, task force members, and staff attending public meetings to “treat others civilly, respectfully, professionally, courteously and focus on the issues and avoid personalizing debate.”
In addition Ordinance No. 4220 has been developed to institute reasonable rules of decorum for the public when participating in public meetings at the City Hall Campus. The provisions contemplated by the ordinance call for increased civility through prohibitions activities that cause significant disruption during a public meeting.
These two regulations build on the development of the City’s Code of Ethics (adopted and amended in 1993, 2003, 2004, 2010, and 2016) that commits to encouraging democratic processes, individual rights of expression, and civic engagement that allows for robust debate and tolerance for disparate views. A copy of the most recent adopted Code of Ethics is included as an attachment for review.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable
Strategic Plan Goal:
Enhance and maintain high quality City services
Attachment(s):
1. To be distributed via supplemental communications - Ordinance No. 4220, “An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach Adding Chapter 2.29 to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Regarding Conduct on City Hall Campus”
2. Resolution No. 2020-62, “A Resolution of The City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Governing Rules of Decorum at Public Meetings”
3. Resolution No. 2016-73, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending the City’s Code of Ethics”