LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: City Council President Brian Spencer
SUBJECT:
title
INVOCATION POLICY
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That City Council adopt a resolution establishing an Invocation Policy.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
There is a long standing tradition of solemnizing City Council proceedings by allowing and inviting an opening invocation and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance before each regular meeting of the City Council for the benefit of the City Council.
It is recognize that our City and Nation is comprised of individuals with a diversity of viewpoints, including but not limited to, faiths, religions, beliefs, and non-beliefs. Accordingly, reasonable efforts will be made to invite, locate, and welcome individuals with a diversity of viewpoints to offer the opening invocation for the benefit of the City Council, and the policies shall not be intended, implemented, or construed in any manner to affiliate the City Council or the City with, or express any preference for or against, any faith, non-faith, belief, non- belief or religious denomination.
In recognition of the diversity of faiths, ideas, viewpoints, and various beliefs, an invocation may be allowed that is solemn and respectful in tone that invites the City Council members to reflect upon shared ideals and common ends before embarking on the business of governing.
In further recognition of the diversity of ideas, viewpoints, and various beliefs and non-beliefs held within this Country, the opening invocation and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance will be voluntary and allow participation from all that wish to participate, but otherwise allow non-participation and an opportunity to exit the City Council Chambers during the opening invocation and/or recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to any who do not wish to witness or participate in same.
It is the intent of this policy that these procedures do not proselytize or advance any faith, or show any purposeful preference of one religious or non-religious view to the exclusion of others.
PRIOR ACTION:
None
FUNDING:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
STAFF CONTACT:
Don Kraher, Council Executive
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Invocation Resolution
PRESENTATION: No