TO:
Honorable Mayor Powell and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
David N. Carmany, City Manager
FROM:
Clay Curtin, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Resolution of Support for the Freedom to Marry.
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Body
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction regarding a resolution of support for the Freedom to Marry.
BACKGROUND:
At its November 6, 2012, regular meeting, the City Council directed that this matter be agendized for discussion; attached is a resolution regarding City support for the Freedom to Marry (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION:
At its 2009 annual meeting, the U.S. Conference of Mayors approved a resolution stating that: "The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same-sex couples, and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions."
Currently, more than 289 mayors from 33 states, including the Mayors of several California cities including Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Malibu, Signal Hill, and Long Beach in Los Angeles County, have signed a petition in support of marriage equality and are listed on the Freedom to Marry website as supporters (Attachment 2).
If adopted, a review of City policies, ordinances, personnel rules and labor agreements would be initiated to ensure compliance.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction regarding a resolution of support for the Freedom to Marry.
Attachment:
1. Resolution No. 12-6420
2. Current California Mayors pledging support for the Freedom to Marry
3. Excerpt from U.S. Mayor Newspaper: Mayors for Freedom to Marry Reaches 200-Member Mark (April 16, 2012)