PURPOSE:  

The purpose of this report is to present the City Council with a request from the League of Women Voters of Glendale/Burbank.  Each election year, the League has traditionally presented a candidate forum for local elected offices. This year the League has asked that the forum takes place in the City Council Chambers on Thursday, January 25, 2007, commencing at 7 P.M.

BACKGROUND:

In recent years, these forums have been produced in cooperation with the City of Burbank.  The City has allowed the use of the Council Chambers, and has televised such forums live, and then rebroadcast them on Channel 6 until Election Day. 

ANALYSIS:

On May 21, 1996, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24,741, which establishes policies regarding the use of City cable broadcast 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 the 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.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the City Council approve the request from the League of Women Voters to conduct a candidate forum on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 7 P.M.  Because the League of Women Voters meets the requirements in Resolution No. 24,741, staff is supportive of approving their request and of having the City lend production support to the effort.

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