Brentwood to Consider Proclamation to Support Peace and Condemn Islamophobia

On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council will consider a request for a proclamation to support peace and condemn Islamophobia.

At its November 14 meeting, Mayor Joel Bryant and councilmember Pa’tanisha Pierson each made formal requests for a proclamation—however, it appears now they will combine the two. The item will occur in the Future Agenda Item requests and if the council agrees, will be brought back early next year for formal adoption once the language is finalized.

At the meeting, Bryant offered the following request:

“I would like for us to issue a proclamation in support of all humanity, in peace, everything that we had talked about, anti-islamophobia” stated Mayor Joel Bryant. We have a community that is made up of many different cultures, backgrounds and ethnicity and as a city council I believe we do need to make sure that every single resident feels appreciated, loved, and safe here and supported. If we can word it as such, I would really appreciate that because I want to make sure every single family member and individual in our community understands that they are equally valuable as is anyone else. Every single person has immense value simply because they are a living person. If we could have that, I would really appreciate it.”

Proclamation on Anti-Islamophobia while encouraging peace (Pierson)

“I was going to make request for anti-islamophobia but also a resolution to encourage peace in the Middle East and here in the United States so I would like to add that to it,” stated Councilmember Pa’tanisha Pierson.

Mendoza Withdrawals Ceasefire Proclamation Request (for now)

Also during the meeting, councilmember Jovita Mendoza requested a proclamation calling for a Ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, however, that was not included on the agenda.  However, Mendoza notified staff she was withdrawing her requested item until further notice.

Selection of Planning Commission candidates to be interviewed and a review of the current applicant interview process, and consider any changes, if desired

That the City Council select candidates to interview for the two (2) vacant seats on the Planning Commission and review the current applicant interview process for consideration in selecting applicants for the Planning Commission.

• Nycollette Gibson*
• Madhan Guna*
• Brayden Haena
• Gerald Johnson
• Jeremy Jones
• Teresa Kennealy
• Anita Roberts
• Ahmad Tahiri
• John M. Torres

Planning Commission Applications – click here

Applicants with an asterisk (*) have also submitted an application for Arts Commission and/or Park and Recreation Commission membership

A Resolution Appointing Katherine Wisinski as Interim City Attorney

To ensure the City has dedicated internal legal services, the proposed action adopts a Resolution appointing Katherine Wisinski as Interim City Attorney; it also authorizes a temporary five percent (5%) salary increase for her services as Interim City Attorney

Adopt a Resolution amending City Council/Administrative Policy 110-04 Procedures for Ceremonial Documents related to the process for Proclamations

At the City Council meeting of October 24, 2023, following Council’s discussion of the request, direction was provided to staff to spend time and resources updating the appropriate policies to (a) require that proclamations remain on the Consent Calendar unless there is someone present to accept them, and (b) clarify the process if a proclamation is pulled from Consent, whereby it will either (1) be read by the Councilmember who pulled it, or (2), if multiple Council Members request to present the proclamation, that it be read by the Mayor. Staff has updated the attached policy with the requested changes for Council consideration and possible adoption.

Brentwood City Council Meeting