MAYOR: CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Dan Albert REGULAR MEETING
MONTEREY CITY COUNCIL
COUNCILMEMBERS: City Council Chamber
Theresa Canepa Pacific & Madison Street
Don Edgren Monterey, California 93940
Clyde Roberson 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Ruth Vreeland 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
CITY MANAGER:
Fred Meurer
MINUTES OF MEETING: MARCH 2, 1999
Mayor Albert called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
ALL PRESENT A. ROLL CALL/PRESENTATIONS
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
CANEPA, EDGREN, ROBERSON, VREELAND, ALBERT
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Director, Community Development Director, Public Facilities Director, Recreation and Community Services Director, Police Captain, Fire Division Chief, Community Education and Outreach Coordinator
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TABLED FOR NO MORE THAN 1. Amending the FY 98/99 Budget Resolution No. 98-161 to 90 DAYS. SUBCOMMITTEE OF add the Structural Repair of Building 141 on the Presidio of EDGREN AND VREELAND Monterey-Boy Scout Building Project***Neighborhood FORMED TO WORK ON A Improvement Program*** MODIFIED AGREEMENT
Mayor Albert outlined the process for the presentation and comment on the item, and Council concurred with the procedure. The City Manager gave a brief overview of the issues, stating that the City leased the building from the Army with a condition to maintain the building and to continue to sublease it to the Boy Scouts of America. He explained that the Army has made an analysis of the situation and issued an opinion that failure to maintain the building would be a breach of the lease. Public Works Director Reichmuth explained the scope of the project. He recommended approval of the resolution. Councilmember Edgren clarified that all the proposed repairs are structural in nature.
Mayor Albert opened the floor to the NIP Committee representative. Sharon Dwight, NIP Spokesperson, read a letter to the Council explaining the Committee's recommendation for support of the project. Mayor Albert asked to hear from the Scout Organization. John Laughton, Assistant Scout Master for Troop 2, agreed with the City Attorney's legal opinion regarding the repair of the building. He said that there are a number of Scouts in the audience who are participating in the item by their presence in the audience. He said their duty is to uphold the rules of the National organization. He gave a brief history of the Boy Scouts' presence on the Monterey Peninsula. Doug Zander, Pack 113 Cub Master, explained how the Cub Scouts use the lodge and their participation in community service activities. Warren Rule, Assistant Scout Master for Troop 2, outlined how the building is used by members of Troop 2, as well as some building repair and maintenance projects the Scouts have undertaken. Russell Holder, Scout Master for Troop 123, explained some of the activities of his Scout troop, as well as their use of the building.
Robert Kim, Staff Attorney of the ACLU of Northern California, urged the Council to oppose funding the repairs of a building which houses the Boy Scouts. He said the ACLU is opposed to using public funds to repair a building that houses a discriminatory organization. He said it is a matter of civil rights and civil liberties, and the issue is about curbing discrimination. He noted that the Boy Scouts have a positive influence on the community, and he urged Council to work with them toward a mutually agreeable solution. He asked the City to state a firm policy against discrimination.
Mayor Albert opened the floor to public comment. Nate Carson, Eagle Scout in Troop 43, addressed what the Eagle Scouts have accomplished for the community. Dan Presser, Monterey resident, said the BSA is a discriminatory organization, and the City should not allow the Scouts to use the building. Margaret Laughman, 300 Glenwood Circle, said she is concerned about an ongoing spirit of misunderstanding and asked Council not to allow the Scouts to use the building because they discriminate on the basis of religion. Matthew Friday, Del Rey Oaks, commended the members of the Boy Scouts for their community service. He said you cannot separate the building from the organization, and asked Council not to fund the repairs as long as the Scouts are housed in the building. Michael Capristo, Monterey resident, said he feels he is being blackmailed into spending his tax dollars to support an organization in which he is not welcome. Kate Spacier, National Coalition Building Institute Member, said she has witnessed the effects of intolerance and asked the Council not to support organizations like the BSA that promotes intolerance. Christine Chambers, PFLAG, said the local Boy Scouts need to stand up for tolerance. She said the Scouts should look for private funding and pay market rents. Norbert Wiley, PFLAG, said the Scout organization does not represent American values. He said the local Scouts should fight the National Council stance.
Bart Lou said the Council should determine if the service Scouts provide is worth the cost of repairs. John Maddis, Seaside, Assistant Scout Master Troop 43, said the real issue is building maintenance and keeping the children who meet there safe. Jan Penny, Monterey, said the Scouts are discriminatory organization. Justin Miller, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, said he does not discriminate against anyone, nor does his troop. He said the building is unsafe and needs to be repaired. Bruce Carlson, Del Rey Oaks, said that if the building is unsafe the leaders should move out. He suggested that they ask the National organization for the money. Andrea Allman, Monterey resident, said that the groups discriminated against by the BSA are popular to discriminate against. Charles Drake said that no scout in his troop was ever asked what his sexual orientation or religion was. He said it is unfortunate that the National BSA discriminates against atheists and homosexuals, and government should not encourage discrimination by allocating public funds to this organization unless they adopt a policy of nondiscrimination. Ann Jorey, Monterey, said she was a den mother for many years and she is saddened by the exclusive policy of the National BSA. She asked how the local members are trying to change the policy. Mike Marianna said the kids are being mislabeled and called names that they do not deserve. He said the NIP is a special assessment on hotel taxes for neighborhood improvement. Richard Criley said the Constitutional standard of non-discrimination must be followed by the City Council. Bill McCrone, Committee Chair of Pack 38, passed out applications for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and said the local Boy Scouts do not discriminate and do not ask for boys' sexual orientation. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Albert closed the floor to public comments, and called a recess at 10:01 p.m., then reconvened the Council meeting at 10:06 p.m.
Councilmember Vreeland said if the Boy Scouts want to do a private fundraiser she would like to donate the first $25. She said she does not think the City should be putting money into an organization which discriminates.
Councilmember Vreeland moved to table the issue for three months. Councilmember Edgren seconded the motion and said he does not have a problem with tabling the issue and would like a Council subcommittee to work on rewording the lease with a general statement of non-discrimination.
Councilmember Roberson supported the motion. Councilmember Canepa said she wants to honor the lease with the military. Mayor Albert asked if the item could be tabled for an indefinite period of time so it could be done as soon as possible, and Councilmember Edgren agreed that he does not want to put a time period on it, rather do it as soon as possible. Mayor Albert said he is bothered by the effect on the children, and he thinks a decision needs to be made as soon as possible.
The City Attorney noted that the organization discriminates because it is for boys only, and the application requires signing a religious contract. The City Manager asked if the motion is for a lease amendment that captures the philosophy of the local Scouts regarding non-discrimination.
Councilmember Vreeland said she desires for the community to work on the issue. Councilmember Vreeland clarified that her motion is to table the issue, and Councilmember Edgren agreed with the clarification, and establishing a subcommittee of Councilmember Edgren and Councilmember Vreeland to work on the issue so the local group will be identified as non-discriminatory.
Mayor Albert offered a substitute motion to table the issue for not more than ninety days and form a subcommittee of Councilmember Edgren & Councilmember Vreeland to work with Army and local Boy Scouts organization to modify the lease to state that the local Boy Scouts are a non-discriminatory organization, and the substitute motion was seconded by Councilmember Vreeland and carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: CANEPA, EDGREN, ROBERSON, VREELAND, ALBERT
NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
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