The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - December 2, 2009 Public CommentsContinued December 2,2009 Claims were approved in the amount of $5,487,986.65. D-2 Ar)r)rove Minutes(CLK) The minutes of November4,2009 (Regular Meeting), November 17,2009 (Shirtsleeve Session), and November24,2009 (Shirtsleeve Session)were approved as written. D-3 Adopt Resolution Authorizing a Sole Source Procurementof Outage Management and Trouble Call Svstems from SurvalentTechnoloav of Mississauga. Ontario, Canada ($54.300) (EUD� Adopted Resolution No. 2009-167 authorizing a sole source procurement of Outage Management and Trouble Call Systems from Survalent Technology of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, in the amount of $54,300. D-4 Accept Improvements under Contract for Library Phase I Remodel Project (PW) Accepted the improvements underthe contract for Library Phase I Remodel Project. E. Comments by the Public on Non -Agenda Items THE TIME ALLOWED PER NON -AGENDA ITEM FOR COMMENTS MADE BY THE PUBLIC IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES. The Citv Council cannot deliberate or take any action on a non -agenda item unless there is factual evidence presented to the City Council indicating that the subject brought up by the public does fall into one of the exceptions under Government Code Section 54954.2 in that (a) there is an emergency situation, or (I) the need to take action on the item arose subsequent to the agenda's beina posted. Unless the City Council is presented with this factual evidence. the City Council will refer the matter for review and placement on a future City Council aaenda. Ken Owen, Director of Christian Community Concerns, distributed a packet of information (filed) and provided a brief overview of the annual "Keeping Christ in Christmas" campaign and urged citizen participation. Jerry Glenn, President of Lodi Adopt -A -Child, gave a brief presentation on its Christmas gift program for underprivileged children and encouraged people to support this worthwhile cause. Mr. Glenn distributed "angel cards" and stated that unwrapped gifts and/or cash donations could be dropped off at 100 East Pine Street no laterthan December 13. Mayor Hansen's wife, Linda, wished him a happy 21 st wedding anniversary. Comments by the Citv Council Members on Non -Agenda Items None. G. Comments by the City Manager on Non -Agenda Items City Manager King reviewed a partial listing of City Council's 2009 accomplishments (filed). H. Public Hearings - None Communications December 2,2009 '.'Iristian commumtv ,oncerns Dear Mayor, and Members of the Lodi City Council: For decades, the American Civil Liberties Union, and its allies have been leading a campaign of fear, intimidation, and disinformation designed to censor our Nation's Christian heritage by driving our most popular holiday — Christmas —Brom the public square. CCC is working with the Alliance Defense Fund, a national legal organization, to launch a campaign called "KEEP CHRSTIN CHRISTMAS" for the month of November and December. Or goal in this campaign is to clarify the issue of what does the law really say about freedom of religious expression when it comes to publicly celebrating the birth of Christ in our schools, and in public buildings. Several years ago, ADF Attorneys contactednearly 11,000 school districts representing 68,000 schools, along with a host of government agencies and institutions, with information on what the law really says about celebrating Christmas. SOME EXAWLLS OF HOW FAIL THIS HAS GONE ARE AS FOLLOWS: In Jackson County Georgia, school officials prohibited teachers from referring to any party as a "Christmas party," and from wearing symbols or clothing with "religious" connotations. Another example occurred at a library in Memphis, where officials allowed a woman to set up a nativity scene, but then forced her to remove "inappropriate" figures of baby Jesus, Joseph, Mmy, and the wise men. A Chicago elementary school censored the word "Christmas" from several traditional Christmas Carols. When confronted with the t mffi, all of these instances were reversed. CCC wants you to know the truth in these matters, and not be intimidated with distortions and threats of law suits that are not based on sound legal opinions. Enclosed is a Myth/Fact Sheet, and if you have any questions at all about what can or cannot be done legally, we will get the answers for you, in the mean time let's "KEEPCHRIST TN CHRISTMAS. It Sincerely, Ken Owen, Director P.O. Box 367 • Lodi, California • 95241 • Phone/Fax (209) 368-0990 Myth ft Students .are not allowed to sfiV,reApus Christmas carols in pubric its.. Fact During schooi ate, .such as char, Chn utas prog[ams, and n#her enfis inpubl�Cch+l, *studeri#s sly such caro{ without ofsnding the. U�S Co�sdtiitibn, Coutts►y t:W;t �hooi has a secular pur�o for'in fieiii ,e�cPrt, fol'sJli, advancing students' kno�wtedge of soblety's cu and' herite and the opportunity for students to perform a fait rari'of `rrivst+c, poetry, and drama Myth #2= it is unconsfiiudwat for sahOd to rater a sdfroot break as a `Christmas Holiday." FA Tt a Supierr,6 Cburt has admc soged.ti a gov tment's long- �u sinttdrng reronition of troiays whniCtcartce, sudl as Ct tistmas Congress has pr+odaimecl Ctir#stmas to be a p[public hnfirlav Myth #3 It is unconstitutional forpublics&o6ft to dose on religious holidays, such as Christmas and Good Friday. Fate The Establishment Clause doesn't protti Asafe Officials. from `shoo: ing-a religious day as the day for a iepal,hQtW , y. Myth ft. PubtiC scho-i ol;. have tO laaoga!f Mlg' AW, 8)W##WrM9fl&Q Fact A scoot that has a holiday $ ni holiday must do so for secular purposes, butthat not impose a raga 'duty on the school tD recognme every other nelitous div. Myth #5: It is constitutional for public schools to ban teachers and students from saying Merry Christmas. Fact: The Supreme Court has stated that teachers and students do not "shed their constitutional rights to ireedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." Guidelines issued by U.S. Secretary of Education Riley (under President Clinton) state "students therefore have the same right to engage m...religious discussion during the school day as they do tD engage in othercomparable activity." Teachers have the right to greet students with the words Meny Christmas, in spice of their role as agents of the state. Saying a simple greeting that; people commonly uge in Decemberdoes not violate the Establishment Clause. (A teacher would haveto use NOW More $ ate► to Vie:. Mdudentis in order to vloade the Esiab�ishment Clain:) Mylb at. A&i sikdy Ihie Mli "o ►uxs of G'tu ryas and tit the bbbW accounts of the bird of Christ F the t Coufi t t o o or 1 be id'< 7 Paraw id two more iyy wit n;' v�,; iiw he a tegibsnafie Id Myth #?f PO& \( vio y .. . . .wntol& Fact The splay of a naft* scene is cflntuti6nal if it is d jted for Pepict icpnce�0 � rodisplay d d ndy'earl. mer frim of .end r canal � .. .. - � _. . Myth 08: Students do not have a aurstiiutiona! righ. t to be exempt from acfiWas with a r+�figioi�scornpor:ertt: ' . Fart Vlfithout pe, can optout of (suchas a CtidOMM`oi` a roncert_vut a religious song) that conflict with the indhMual beefs &the s[u iwft ortheir parents. tire school may notforce any Person 10 Pr�riic" it an that oils W..,. ".or .or rpt don rias enipowerbe sfudent to armor ft �n or black the act The dqopt art twit can Wdgw* . ?Miristhe 'i: For , standard `Ctir''b r' sbA ve armed tea► opt A= =c`§c vc 11VERN e .dWWA CHRISTLkN COMMUNITY CONCERNS P.O. Box 367, Lodi, California 95241 • www.christiancommunityconcerns.org