HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RESO 2020-149RESOLUTION NO. 2020 —149
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
REPEALING THE JUNE 16, 2020 ADOPTION OF CENSURE TO LEGALLY BAR
COUNCILMEMBER MORRISON'S THREATENED LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY
AND THEREAFTER CONSIDER THE READOPTION OF THE CENSURE 1N ITS
ENTIRETY AS A SEPARATE AGENDA ITEM
WHEREAS, on June 16, 2020, Councilmember Morrison, by majority vote of the
City Council was Censured for violating City Council Policy #119, which is the City
Council's "Code of Ethics and Conduct"; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2020, Councilmember Morrison served the City Clerk with
a demand that the Council cure or correct an alleged violation of the Brown Act within 30
days from the City's receipt of the demand; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney has advised that it is in the best interest of the City
to repeal Councilmember Morrison's Censure in that it prevents the lawsuit that has been
threatened and then consider a Readoption of the Censure as a separate Agenda Item.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
National City hereby Repeals the Adoption of Councilmember Ron Morrison's Censure
of June 16, 2020 that is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and is hereby null and void.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 4th day of August, 202
Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, Mayor
ATTEST:
ael R. Dalla, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
n•, . irs-Jones, Cit
Passed and adopted by the Council of the City of National City, California, on August 4,
2017 by the following vote, to -wit:
Ayes: Councilmembers, Quintero, Rios, Sotelo-Solis.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: Councilmembers Cano, Morrison.
AUTHENTICATED BY: ALEJANDRA SOTELO-SOLIS
Mayor of the City of National City, California
c/I
City Cle of the City of Ntional City, California
By:
Deputy
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the above and foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-149 of the City of National City, California, passed and
adopted by the Council of said City on August 4, 2020.
City Clerk of the City of National City, California
By:
Deputy
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DATE. June 16, 2020
TO: Councilmember Ron Morrison
FROM: Mayor Sotelo-Solis
Vice Mayor Rios
Councilmember Quintero
SUBJECT: Adoption of Censure
Recently, you acknowledged that on Wednesday June 3rd, you deemed it appropriate to share a picture (merne)
saying "Due to Covid, we're gonna need people to riot from home and destroy your own shit."
The Mayor met with you regarding the posting wherein you stated that the message in the meme should be
considered a "light-hearted joke" or "with humor to shed humor on a difficult conversation."
The Council and many National City constituents feel strongly about the issue of racial injustice. Accordingly, on
June 2nd, all City Council members (including yourself) signed a statement regarding systematic racism. Council
Member Morrison, you should have been aware that Tuesday June 2nd, was "Blackout Tuesday 2020". This is an
event meant to highlight and bring attention to the tragic death of George Floyd, and other African -Americans, which
is part of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement. However, the next day, June 3rd you sent out the meme which
was posted on a similar black background with white font, as that of the BLM trademark colors.
As members of the City Council we take our role very seriously. We believe the public comments presented at the
June 161h Council Meeting, regardless of the format used, reflected valid public concerns about the inappropriate
meme that you shared. Furthermore, the sharing of the meme was a violation of City Council Policy No. 119, which
is our Code of Ethics and Conduct.
The purpose of this memorandum is to memorialize the ADOPTION OF A MOTION OF CENSURE which reflects the
strong disapproval of the Council to your conduct of sharing the picture referenced above. Our constituents rightfully
expect City Officers to be role models, and as such our conduct must be above reproach and avoid even the
appearance of impropriety, bias, disrespect or unequal treatment of any person.
Your conduct was a violation of City Council Policy No. 119, more specifically policy Nos. 2 and 3, entitled respectively
as "Conduct and Role Models". in accordance with Section IV entitled "Implementation and Enforcement" of Policy
No. 119, BY MAJORITY VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 16, 2020, you WERE:
1. Admonished to refrain, in the future, from conduct that bring disrespect and hurt to members of the public.
2. Requested to issue an apology immediately via social media.
3. Removed forthwith from "SANDAG" as National City's 3rd Alternate Represe ive.
ATTEST:
ff
ethir,
Michael R. Dalla, tty Clerk
Alejand a Sotelo_S• `1ayor
Mona Rios, Vi a Ma or
Gonzalo Quintero, Councilmember
Office of the City Council
1243 National City Blvd.. National City. CA 91 950
(619} 336-42 35 I' tx: (619) 336-42)9 wwwmationakitvca,tios.
EXHIBIT "A"