15-2808 Invocation Policy - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, the City Commission accepts as binding the applicability of general principles of law and all the rights and obligations afforded under the United States and the State of Florida Constitution and statutes. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CASSELBERRY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Lelzislative and Administrative Findings. The above recitals (whereas clauses) are hereby adopted as the legislative and administrative findings of the City Commission. This policy and these procedures are not intended, and shall not be implemented, and shall not be construed in any way, to affiliate the City Commission of the City with, nor express a preference for or against, any faith, belief, non -belief, opinion, religion, non -religion, or denomination. Rather, this policy and these procedures are intended to acknowledge and express the City Commission's respect for the diversity of religious and non -religious denominations and faiths represented and practiced among the citizens of the City and to express the City Commission's respect for its proceedings and the importance of government and local legislative functions. In no event shall these procedures be intended, implemented, or construed in any way to compel participation in the opening invocation or recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Neither the City Commission nor the City staff shall single out dissidents for opprobrium; or indicate in any manner the City Commission's decisions to be influenced by a person's participation or lack of participation in the opening invocation or recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. SECTION 2. Adoption of Invocation Policy. The City Commission hereby adopts the following policy and procedures regarding opening invocations before meetings of the City Commission: 1. It is the intent of the City Commission to allow a private citizen to solemnize the regular meetings of the City Commission. It is the policy of the City Commission to allow for an invocation, which may include prayer; a reflective moment of silence; or a short solemnizing message, to be offered before its regularly scheduled meetings for the benefit of the City Commission, to accommodate the spiritual needs of the public officials. Special meetings, emergency meetings, and workshops will not include an opening invocation. The prayer will be limited to one minute. 2. No member of the City Commission or City employee will direct the public to stand, bow, or in any way participate in the prayers; make public note of a person's presence or absence, attention or inattention during the invocation; or indicate that decisions of the City Commission will in any way be influenced by a person's acquiescence in the prayer opportunity. The Mayor will provide time for persons who wish to leave the room during an invocation to do so, and equal time for them to return to the room before other business is addressed. 3. The invocation shall be voluntarily delivered by an appointed representative of a group from the database described below. To ensure that such person (the "invocation speaker") 9