Campaigning on city property and "No Kings" rally prompt council request for legal guidance

Several public speakers used the council meeting to air concerns about a recent "No Kings" rally and whether elected officials used city-owned space for campaign purposes. The exchange led council members to request a clear written guidance from the city attorney.

Public commenters and council members described video and social-media posts from a rally where councilmember speech was characterized by some attendees as campaign rhetoric and name-calling. Patrick Murphy and others denounced personal attacks; Beth Brooks and other callers said they were insulted by nicknames and derogatory language used at the event. "These derogatory comments Brotman made are not true," Murphy said during public comment. Beth Brooks said she was personally targeted and called for the city to address the conduct.

Mayor Najarian and other council members said they would ask the city attorney to prepare an informational memo clarifying what is and is not allowed when elected officials use city property or appear at public gatherings, and to outline the rules about staff photos, permits and campaign activity under state law. A caller later referenced California Government Code Section 8314 during the public comment period.

Council directed staff and the city attorney to prepare guidance and return with a recommendation on how to apply restrictions consistently; the council emphasized it was not seeking to conduct a trial but to lay out clear rules for members and the public.

Next steps: city attorney to return to council with a memo that defines permissible uses of city property in campaign contexts and clarifies distinctions between permitted speech and unlawful use of public resources.