TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Nadine Nader, Assistant City Manager
Kendra Davis, Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Discuss City Support for Manhattan Beach Inclusion Pledge (Assistant City Manager Nader).
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council discuss the possibility of endorsing the Manhattan Beach Inclusion Pledge and provide direction.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
Leaders with the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) requested the City consider lending support for the Inclusion Pledge as proposed by the EMPact group, which is comprised of Manhattan Beach leaders and citizens.
Over the past year, the EMPact group has been working together to make the community as inclusive as possible. There are many ways that Manhattan Beach is abundantly inclusive, but in spite of that, there have been incidents in that point to the fact that more inclusivity is possible. MBUSD and other organizations in the City can be models for how communities can work together to stop prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion.
One such way is to raise awareness by asking community members to read and sign an Inclusion Pledge. This pledge is based primarily on the pledges developed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) (Stand Up Against Hate) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) (Not On Our Ground). It reads as follows:
“Today I pledge to #StandUp against Hate and #StandUp for Respect. I pledge to #StandUp to all forms of hate, bigotry, violence and bullying.
I will:
• Speak out when I hear someone being attacked based on race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion, ability or any other factor;
• Talk about how stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion hurt our society;
• Ask legislators and local representatives to support laws that protect and advance civil rights;
• Never allow a bigoted slur to go either unchallenged or unreported. If I see something, I will say something;
• Denounce online hate and report hateful conduct whenever possible;
• Unite and engage with diverse communities and educate myself on how to be an effective ally;
• Protect my neighbors by building welcoming and inclusive communities.”
The MBUSD Board will also be asked to support this pledge at their next board meeting.
DISCUSSION:
While commitment to this issue does not have associated activities, the group does have additional events and undertakings that work towards their goal of increasing inclusiveness. In the future, the group hopes to present opportunities for inclusive discussions that include film showings, articles and others. The group involves Manhattan Beach Unified School District, as well as other community leaders that span a number of professions and organizations.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST:
City staff has not conducted outreach on this issue because it was not proposed by the City. However, should City Council proceed with support for the pledge, City staff can work with the EMPact group to assist with any existing outreach efforts, should City Council direct staff to do so.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.