La Verne delays taking a formal position on Prop. 36 after residents and some council members ask for more outreach

The La Verne City Council on Monday voted to continue consideration of a resolution on Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, to its Sept. 3 meeting to allow more time for public education and resident feedback.

Prop. 36, a statewide initiative that would amend elements of earlier measures such as Proposition 47 and expand certain fentanyl-related offenses and sentencing discretion, was the subject of a lengthy presentation by staff and legal counsel. The city attorney told the council that it is legally allowed to take positions on ballot measures but should avoid expending public funds on campaigning.

Several residents urged the council to delay a formal vote. "I respectfully request that you table it to a further time when a more thorough discussion can be," said Miss Beauchamp, a resident who spoke during public comment. Another commenter, Steven, argued the city should avoid taking official positions on ballot measures and said, "As a matter of practice, it's a slippery slope if we're going to weigh in on ballot propositions."

Council members split on the timing. Council member Crosby backed tabling the item to September to give staff time to gather resident input; "I would be in favor of tabling this to a September meeting," he said. Council member Liao said she also favored additional outreach and discussion. Council member Ash, drawing on two decades in law enforcement, said he was ready to vote and cited public-safety concerns, saying education had limits and that action could be warranted.

Mayor Hepburn described Prop. 47 as having created enforcement challenges and said the new initiative is intended to add tools for local law enforcement; the mayor expressed support for the measure while acknowledging the need for residents to review the text. After discussion the council voted to continue the matter. Mayor Pro Tem Johnson moved to continue the item to the Sept. 3 council meeting and the council approved that motion.

City staff said they would post materials about Prop. 36 on the city's legislative webpage and run a non-scientific poll with three questions (support, oppose, or no position) to collect resident feedback prior to the next meeting. The item will return to the council for further discussion on Sept. 3.