PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to present the City Council with a request from the League of Women Voters of  Glendale/Burbank.  In the fall of each election year, the League has traditionally presented a Candidates Forum for the offices of Congress, State Senate, and State Assembly. This year, the League is requesting to cablecast the forum on Wednesday, October 27^th.  This date was chosen by the League to insure that all candidates have returned from Washington, even if the congressional session runs long.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the forum has been produced in cooperation with the City of Burbank.  The City has allowed the use of the Council Chambers, and has televised the forum live and then rebroadcast the forum until Election Day.  The League has once again made this request.

This year, the League is emphasizing the importance of youth voting, and is working in cooperation with the Burbank Unified School District to include panelists from all local public high schools.  Panelists will also be selected from Woodbury University and Glendale Community College.

ANALYSIS

On May 21, 1996, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24,741, which establishes policies regarding the use of  City cable facilities for Election Candidate Forums.  Through adoption of the resolution, the Council expressed its belief that �it would be in the public interest for the City to permit, at no cost recovery, access by qualified organizations to use City facilities for the purpose of broadcasting debates and forums provided that neutrality is maintained in how the program is conducted so as to ensure that public funds are utilized solely for public education and information.�

In that same resolution, the League of Women Voters was recognized by the City Council as a neutral, non-partisan organization that meets all established requirements.  Additionally, as required by the Resolution, the League does not endorse or back candidates for elective office or take positions on local measures.  They have, however, taken positions on State measures. 

CONCLUSION: 

The League of Women Voters has conducted Candidate Forums in the past and indicates that feedback from the public in Burbank and Glendale in recent years has shown that these city-sponsored voter forums reach a wide audience.  The Candidates Forum is proposed to be held on Wednesday, October 27, 2004.  It is anticipated that the Forum will cost approximately $395 to produce, broadcast, and replay on Channel 6. 

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the City Council approve the request from the League of Women Voters to conduct a Candidates Forum on October 27^th, 2004.

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