HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - IN GOD WE TRUST (2)Agenda Item: 15—
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
DATE: May 12, 2009
SUBJECT: "IN GOD WE TRUST"
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve of initiating a city-wide ballot measure regarding the incorporation of "In
God We Trust," into the City logo on the ballot for the City's General Municipal Election on
April 13, 2010.
BACKGROUND
During the April 14, 2009, meeting of the City Council, Councilmember Kellar brought forth for
Council consideration, the idea of incorporating the phrase "In God We Trust" into the City
logo, and suggested the City place the matter before the public as a voter initiative on the ballot
for the City's General Municipal Election on April 13, 2010. Following Councilmember Kellar's
suggestion, the Council agreed to place the matter on a future agenda for discussion.
Based on the material handed out by Councilmember Kellar during the April. 14 City Council
Meeting, 52 California cities now display the phrase "In God We Trust" next to their City's logo
within their Council Chambers. Of the 52 cities choosing to display the phrase "In God We
Trust," 51 did so via Council approval. The only city to place the matter before the public as a
voter initiative was the City of Villa Park. This was placed on their November, 2008 ballot,
where it passed with 77% of the vote.
Further, each of the 52 cities mentioned above only display the phrase "In God We Trust" in
tandem with their City logo within their Council Chambers, and not in any other locations or
upon City documents.
APPROVED
The City Attorney has reviewed this agenda item for the purposes of discussion at this meeting
and finds that the placement of the phrase "In God We Trust" next to the City logo in the Council
Chambers is constitutional.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Councilmember Kellar would like to gradually phase-in the inclusion of the phrase "In God We
Trust" into the City logo, therefore eliminating any impact to the budget. Thus, placement of "In
God We Trust" into the City logo will be done upon reordering new City stationary and decals.
The cost to include the phrase in the Council Chambers could cost between $500 to $700.
Implementation of the city-wide ballot measure will result in costs for voter education material.
These costs have yet to be determined.
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