Section 2.12.015 Establishing Procedures for City Council Meetings.

The City Council of the City of Vernal, Utah has determined that it is appropriate and in the interests of the orderly conduct of the City Council's business at its meetings to establish, by ordinance, procedures relating to opening ceremonies of the meetings of the City Council.

A. Whereas, the business of the City Council is to be conducted in open and public meetings; and

B. Whereas, the meetings of the City Council are for the purpose of conducting the business of the City in a meeting which the public is invited to attend; and

C. Whereas the agenda for meetings of the City Council is set by the Mayor and said meetings are conducted by the Mayor or the Chairperson of the meeting in the absence of the Mayor; and

D. Whereas, the public has a right to attend, but not speak at a regular City Council meeting without the invitation of the Mayor; and

E. Whereas, Section 10-3-606 of the Utah Code Annotated provides that the City Council "may establish its own rules and procedures for the proper conduct of its meetings."; and

F. Whereas, the legislative powers of the municipality are exercised through ordinance of the City Council; and

G. Whereas, the Vernal City Council has traditionally and historically opened its meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer or respectful thought; and

H. Whereas, the City Council finds that such ceremony and tradition is consistent with the historic practice and pattern of other local, state and national legislative bodies; and

I. Whereas the City Council finds that such observance aids in the conduct of the City's business by the Mayor and City Council through establishing a moment of contemplation, and reverence and promotes the focus upon conducting the business of the City in a manner consistent with the founding principles of this State in the interest of the public; and

J. Whereas, it is the desire of the Mayor and City Council to continue the traditional practice of beginning its meetings in recognition of the solemnity and importance of the responsibilities exercised by the elected representatives of the people; and

K. Whereas, the City Council finds that the offering of a prayer or uplifting thought by a member of the governing body promotes a spirit of cooperation which aids the City Council in the conduct of its business and is of benefit to the City and its residents; and

L. Whereas, it is the policy and practice of the City to conduct its business in a manner which neither proselytizes or promotes religion or a particular belief or lack thereof, nor is hostile to religious worship, exercise or instruction; and

M. Whereas, the Mayor and City Council are elected to speak and act on behalf of all of the residents of the City; and

N. Whereas, the courts have held that prayer is a religious activity; and

O. Whereas the Utah Supreme Court has determined that the offering of prayer or similar observance at a public meeting involved some use of public money or property and that with respect to such, the City must be non-discriminatory and make the offering of such observance equally accessible to all; and

P. Whereas, members of the City Council speak for and represent all citizens of the City and all electors of the City have the right to run for and be elected to the City Council.