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07-18-06 Agenda Spec/WS CITY COMMISSION CITY OF DELRAY BEACH. FLORIDA SPECIAL/WORKSHOP - TUESDAY,]ULY 18. 2006 6:00 P.M. FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM DELRAY BEACH ~ All-AnrlcaClly , IUI! 1993 2001 cl\ ZJ7I1 The City will furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of a service, program, or activity conducted by the City. Contact Doug Smith at 243-7010, 24 hours prior to the program or activity in order for the City to reasonably accommodate your request. Adaptive listening devices are available for meetings in the Commission Chambers. SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA Pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Charter of the City of Delray Beach, Mayor Jeff Perlman has instructed me to announce a Special Meeting of the City Commission to be held for the following purposes: 1. SPECIAL EVENT REOUEST & RESOLUTION NO. 48-06/29TH ANNUAL ROOTS CULTURAL FESTIVAL/YOUTH AND ADULT BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS: Consider approval of a special event request to allow the 29th Annual Roots Cultural Festival activities to be held July 22, 2006 through August 12,2006, and approve Resolution No. 48-06 in support of the event; granting temporary use permit per LDR Section 2.4.6(H) for the use of City facilities, right of way and parking lots; authorize staff support for security; waiver of facility rental fee for City facilities; contingent upon sponsor providing a liability insurance certificate, rental agreement from Old School Square (aSS), and a hold harmless agreement. WORKSHOP AGENDA 1. Old School Square Presentation - Executive Committee of the ass Board of Directors 2. Presentation of Old School Square Park Development Concepts 3. Presentation of Red Light Photo Enforcement - Redflex Traffic Systems 4. Presentation of proposed Boardwalk for the Atlantic Avenue Intracoastal Bridge - Rich McGloin 5. Discussion regarding the request that sexual orientation be added to the City's equal opportunity policy, and to extend certain benefits to domestic partners. 6. Presentation of Financial Trend Monitoring Report 7. Commission Comments ................................................................................. Please be advised that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, such person will need to ensure that a verbatim record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. The City neither provides nor prepares such record. [ITY DF DELRAY BEA[H ~ DELRAY BEACH F lOR I [) A D.e:d All-America City , III I! 100 N.W. 1st AVENUE DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA 33444 561/243-7000 MEMORANDUM 1993 2001 TO: David T. Harden, City Manager # Robert A. Barcinski, Assistant City Manager FROM: DATE: July 14,2006 SUBJECT: SPECIAL AGENDA ITEM CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP JULY 18. 2006 APPROVAL RESOLUTION NO. 48-06 AND SPECIAL EVENT REQUEST 29TH ANNUAL ROOTS CULTURAL FESTIVAL FAMILY DAY IN POMPEY. FESTIVAL PARADE. ONE DAY GOSPEL FESTIVAL ON THE SQUARE. AND ADULT BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ACTION City Commission is requested to approve Resolution No. 48-06 supporting and endorsing the 29th Annual Roots Cultural Festival. Commission is also requested to grant a temporary use permit per LDR's Section 2.4.6(H) for the use of City facilities, rights of way and parking lots, to authorize staff support for security, traffic control, EMS assistance, barricading, signage, and cleanup and trash removal as needed, waive LDR's Section 4.6.7(C)(5)(a) and (9) to allow banners and flags and to allow event signs to be put up more than one week before the event and to waive facility rental fees for City facilities except for Old School Square. BACKGROUND Attached is a letter with additional back up information, required event permits, program schedule and budget received from Ms. Alberta McCarthy the Chairperson for this years Roots Cultural Festival, Inc. Ms. McCarthy is requesting City endorsement of the event as well as approval of Resolution 48-06, staff support as needed, waiver of City facility rental fees, and event signage and banner assistance. Staff overtime support is required for the Family Day, Adult Basketball Tournament and Parade and Gospel Festival along with assistance for signage and banner making and hanging. Use of City owned parking lots at Old School Square, Cason Cottage and City hall is being requested with the ability to charge for parking if they so choose. Estimated costs for City services for each of the programs are as follows: Family Day at Pompey Park $4,200, Adult Basketball Tournament $2,830 and Parade and the Gospel Festival $5,675. Per event policies and procedures charges for these events are estimated as follows: Family Day at Pompey Park $0 (first time event), Adult Basketball Tournament $750, and Gospel Festival $1,000. * Printed on Recycled Paper THE EFFORT ALWAYS MATTERS Sf,1- SUBJECT: SPECIAL GENDA ITEM CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP JULY 18,2006 APPROVAL RESOLUTION NO. 48-06 AND SPECIAL EVENT REOUEST 29TH ANNUAL ROOTS CULTURAL FESTIVAL FAMILY DAY IN POMPEY, FESTIVAL PARADE. ONE DAY FESTIVAL ON THE SQUARE, AND ADULT BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT July 14,2006 Page 2 The event sponsor will be responsible for event management, vendor approval, entertainment, banners and portable lighting. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 48-06, the temporary use permit for use of City facilities, rights of way and parking lots, the sign, banner and flag waiver, to be put up no earlier than July 22nd, staff support for security, traffic control, EMS assistance, barricading, signage, and clean up and trash removal for the August 5th and August Ith events as well as security for the Adult Basketball Tournament and waiver of any required facility rental fees. Approval to be contingent on receipt of a hold harmless agreement, rental agreement from Old School Square, and liability insurance certificate. RAB/tas Attachments RESOLUTION NO. 48-06 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRA Y BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE ROOTS CULTURAL FESTIVAL, INC. IN THEIR SPONSORSHIP OF THE 1WENTY-NINTH ANNUAL "ROOTS CULTURAL FESTIVAL" IN THE CITY OF DELRA Y BEACH, FLORIDA. WHEREAS, the Roots Cultural Festival, Inc., is sponsoring the Twenty-Ninth Annual Roots Cultural Festival in the City of Delray Beach being held from July 11,2006 through August 12,2006; and WHEREAS, the Roots Cultural Festival presents to the community, state, and nation a view of the rich cultural heritage of people of African ancestry in our city; and WHEREAS, this festival was originally conceived by the Jefferson Manor Homes Association in an effort to bring people together to develop pride, respect, and appreciation for their community as well as the particular heritage which they bring to the city; and WHEREAS, the Roots Cultural Festival provides an opportunity for exclt1ng experiences for all, reminiscent of the Bahamas, the West Indies, Haiti, and other countries from which people of African ancestry have come to Delray Beach; and WHEREAS, the activities of the festival are to promote math, language and communication development among our youth; to promote physical fitness through sports tournaments; to promote cultural enrichment and appreciation through exhibits, creative dance and dramatic presentations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRA Y BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOllOWS: Section 1. That the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach hereby supports the Roots Cultural Festival, Inc. in their sponsorship of the 29th Annual Roots Cultural Festival in the City of Delray Beach. Section 2. That the City Commission hereby recognizes the 29th Anniversary of the Roots Cultural Festival, and commends its sponsors and supporters for holding this significant cultural event in the City of Delray Beach. ATTEST: PASSED AND ADOPTED in special session on this the 18th day of July, 2006. MAYOR City Clerk 2 RES. NO. 48-06 Roots Cultural Festival, Inc. 400 West Atlantic Avenue, Suite 2A Delray Beach, FL 33444 July 3, 2006 The Honorable Jeff Perlman - Mayor City of Delray Beach 100 NW 1st Avenue Delray Beach, FL 33444 Dear Mayor Perlman We are excited to announce the celebration of the 29th Annual Roots Cultural Festival. Over the years, the Festival has grown in keeping with the needs and desires of the community. "Roots" has become a household word in South Florida and is synonymous with summer cultural enrichment. This multicultural event has received great support and encouragement from the City and we are tremendously grateful. This year's theme is "Ujima" - Collective work and responsibility committed to build and maintain our community by working together to shape the future. We continue in our quest to improve the quality of life in beautiful Delray Beach. We are again requesting a Resolution from the City" sanctioning the efforts of this cultural organization through the support of the various municipal departments such as the Police, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and EMS Departments. The Roots Festival has become so ingrained in the cultural fabric of South Florida that it draws visitors from through out the country and the neighboring islands. Vacations and family reunions are frequently scheduled during the Roots Festival time. We invite you, the Commissioners, and the City staff to share in the activities which are planned from July 21st through August 12th, 2006. We would especially appreciate your participation in the kick off celebration, heritage parade (followed by a VIP reception), the prayer breakfast and the Gospel Festival on the Square. Please contact me at (561) 274-0365 if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Alberta McCarthy Chair /tas cc: Robert A. Barcinski Roots Cultural Festival FY 2006 Support List 1. Police security, where applicable 2. The City to allow the display of Roots flags 3. The City to' waive fees for the use of facilities and staff for all activities scheduled at Pompey Park an4 other appropriate City facilities 4. The City to provide Roots signage on Atlantic Avenue and all other appropriate sites from July 12th - August 12th 5. The City to allow Roots exclusive use of City Hall parking lots (Representative of Roots will be charging a parking fee with all proceeds going to Roots Organization) 6. Request the use of County parking garage and parking lot for the August 12, 2006 event at Old School Square (Roots will be charging a parking fee with all proceeds going to the Roots Organization) Roots (;tdt...a1 Fel!!i1tiwal 2006 Sehedtde Coronation (Christ Missionary Baptist Church) July 11, 2006 Youth Basketball Postponed until Year 2007 Academic Olympics (Pompey Park) July 22, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Movie "'Last Holiday" (Old School Square Pavilion) July 28, 2006 at 8:30 p.m. Youth Gospel Concert (Old School Square Theater) July 29,2006 at 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. "A Gathering" City Hall - City Commission Chambers July 31, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. Adult Basketball Tournament (Pompey Park) August 4-6, 2006 August 4, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. August 5, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m. August 6, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m. Family Fun Day (Pompey Park) August 5,2006 at 3:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. Roots Cultural Festival Parade August 12, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. (Line up at Pompey Park and proceed to Old School Square) Gospel on the Square (Old School Square) August 12, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Play "Don't Move My Mountain" (Old School Square Theater) September 9,2006 at 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. .,~ -", o/~'ro ,~'\,,"" I ' 0\""""" _ ::c: ~ '" -9'4 )t> fJ f(, ~ City of Delray Beach Special Event Permit Application DElRAY BEACH , 1993 2001 PLEASE PRINT Event Approved/Denied Approved/Denied by 1. Event NamefTitle: ~OO+..5 2. Ev~ ,D~te(s): ~ 5/ '200(0 Date of Approval/Denial Title Cul-lural -fts-hvcd - ~:I'i~ ,tv.a.. if EventTim~{s): - J ~. I (.)~ - /{ PM , , 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. to City 0 Non-Profit/Charitable )Q Private 0 10. Po~ fay-k ./ no V 12. Site plan attached: (Site plan required for entire event site) Event budget attached: (Required for all events) Serving or selling alcoholic beverages: yes no (If yes, copy of license and alcohol liability insurance required two (2) weeks prior to event) Event certificate of insurance attached: yes no ......- (Required two (2) weeks prior to event naming the City as additional insured, also required for vendors) Playing of amplified music: (Waiver required) Requesting Police assistance: (Traffic control/security) yes /' no yes 13. / 14. 15. 16. v / no yes no yes I \ 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. yes /" /' v'" v-:: v' v Will supplement with private security: (If yes, need plan attached) Requesting Emergency Medical assistance: yes Requesting barricade assistance: yes Requesting trash removaVclean up assistance: yes Requesting trash boxes and liners: yes Requesting stage use: yes (If yes, check type) Large stage covered 0 Large stage no cover 0 Small stag~ Half small stage 0 Site-. ;r",fo ~ Requesting signage : /1 yes V no Type: Event sign (4'X47 Directional signs V' Banner hanging ~ Indicate dates required Z w!-<s pv-j~ (Waiver required if more than one (1) week prior to eVfY)t) Food and beverage vendors: yes v no If yes, please provide the approximate number, as well as the name, address, and contact phone number of each vendor which is due no later than one week prior to the event no no no ~ no no no Health Department approval: (see attached) yes y- Other vendors: yes V Tents: yes (If yes, tent permits and fire inspections maybe needed) Will the event include amusement rides? requiring state approval? /' yes no (If yes, type and location and copy of liability insurance required)(Also, please provide the name, address and contact phone number for each amusement provider along with copies of their liability insurance) no no no .; v 29. 30. 31. / V no 32. Will the event be gated? (Show on-site map) Will there be fireworks or other pyrotechnics? yes (If yes, contact Fire Marshall) Will there be cooking with compressed gas? yes (If yes, contact Fire Marshall) Will you be providing port-a-Iets for the event? yes no /' (If yes, locate on-site map. If no, indicate how you will handle restroom n~~ / Will there be a charge for the event? yes no (If yes, indicate ticket prices) / Is reserved parking requested? yes no V (If yes, indicate locations) yes /' no / no 33. 34. 2 35. Nei hborhood Block Parties Hei hborhood block arties onl . Is event sponsored by the Homeowner's Association? yes_ no_ (If not, then individual(s) submitting permit application must also submit a petition signed by 51% of the homeowners who live on the block) . Please note the following:1) Approvals will only be given for a one (1) block area 2) Permit applications must be received in writing by the City Manager's Office at least thirty (30) days prior to the event.3) Consumption or sale of alcohol on City rights-of-way will not be permitted.4) Structures other than barricades are not allowed in City rig hts-of-way. 5) Homeowners Association will be required to pay all overtime costs that may be incurred as a result of City staff involved in the event. Event Contractor/Coordinator Please print: Date Please enclose the appropriate non-refundable application fee payable to the City of Delray Beach, 100 N.W. 1st Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33444. For Staff Use Only} f Date Received (p ~8 10<0 . Application fee received $ ~ Site map Budget V Certificate of insurance Hold Harmless agreement Security plan Waiver alcoholic beverage Railroad approval Coast Guard approval -'" 501 c(3) or (d) certificate or letter V Health Department approval Fire Inspector approval Police Department approval Public Works approval Parks and Recreation approval City Commission approval 3 City of Delray Beach Special Event Permit Application DaRAY BEACH , 1993 2001 PLEASE PRINT Event Approved/Denied Date of Approval/Denial Approved/Denied by Title ~ 1. EventNamerritle:~ CLl~ G~ O(/.ojAN{~ ~\(C1\ 2. Event Dat,,(s)~ Event Time(s): ~v--A- ,").. \ "J..oO '" - -p~ 1 Pir-sn:1/ A-P ~~ s~~ 4 P"1. - l' f)M -r- , , ~ax-~e ~ts ~ '-t ~ F'e~sh' ( On -+he.. t:Q. e- ~5 o.-=f lQp~ - \\ ~ 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. I\h>~ ~l~ 4v~ 12. ./ Site plan attached: yes v (Site plan required for entire event site) ./ Event budget attached: yes V no (Required for all events) ~ Serving or selling alcoholic beverages: yes no . . (If yes, copy of license and alcohol liability insurance required two (2) weeks prior ~~ / Event certificate of insurance attached: yes no V (Required two (2) weeks prior to event naming the City as additional insured, also required for vendors) Playing of amplified music: (Waiver required) Requesting Police assistance: (Traffic control/security) no 13. 14. 15. 16. v' no yes v" no yes I 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Will supplement with private security: yes V no (If yes, need plan attached) ./ Requesting Emergency Medical assistance: yes v no ~ _ Requesting barricade assistance: yes v no' ~ Requesting trash removal/clean up assistance: yes v' / no Requesting trash boxes and liners: yes \,,/"" no Requesting stage use: yes V" no (If yes, check type) '} Large stage covered 0 Large stage no cover 0 Small stage L. tialf small stage 0 S 1-e.,:1l\fo M-l\-net:S Requesting signage: // I yes V _/ no Type: Event sign (4'x4') v / Directional signs V' . Banner hanging i/' P Indicate dates required z.. U~S ~Ii.. (Waiver required if more than one (1) week prior to even'!1 Food and beverage vendors: yes ~ no If yes, please provide the approximate number, as well as the name, address, and contact phone number of each vendor which is due no later than one week prior to the event Pfpr4.J/)() S- Vf:t1~ Health Department approval: (see attached) yes .........-- __ Other vendors: yes ........... Tents: yes (If yes, tent permits and fire inspections maybe needed) Will the event include amusement rides? requiring state approval? ./' yes no (If yes, type and location and copy of liability insurance required)(Also, please provide the name, address and contact phone number for each amusement provider along with copies of their liability insurance) no no /' no V 29. 30. /' v Will the event be gated? (Show on-site map) Will there be fireworks or other pyrotechnics? yes (If yes, contact Fire Marshall) /' Will there be cooking with compressed gas? yes (If yes, contact Fire Marshall) /' Will you be providing port-a-Iets for the event? yes V no (If yes, locate on-site map. If no, indicate how you will handle restroom needs) /' Will there be a charge for the event? yes no V (If yes, indicate ticket prices) Is reserved parking requested? (If yes, indicate locations) no yes no /' 31. no 32. 33. ./ no 34. yes 2 35. Nei hborhood Block Parties 'Hei hborhood block arties onl . Is event sponsored by the Homeowner's Association? yes_ no_ (If not, then individual(s) submitting permit application must also submit a petition signed by 51% of the homeowners who live on the block) . Please note the following:1) Approvals will only be given for a one (1) block area 2) Permit applications must be received in writing by the City Manager's Office at least thirty (30) days prior to the event.3) Consumption or sale of alcohol on City rights-of-way will not be permitted.4) Structures other than barricades are not allowed in City rights-of-way.5) Homeowners Association will be required to pay all overtime costs that may be incurred as a result of City staff involved in the event Please enclose the appropriate non-refundable application fee payable to the City of Delray Beach, 100 N.W. 1st Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33444. For Staff Use Only Date Received Application fee received $ ~J Site map ~ Budget () '^ I 0 ~ Certificate of insurance Hold Harmless agreement Security plan Waiver alcoholic beverage Railroad approval Coast Guard approval -qJ 501 c(3) or (d) certificate or letter..A.4e Health Department approval Fire Inspector approval Police Department approval Public Works approval Parks and Recreation approval City Commission approval 3 Boot. ~Dltural Fe.tiYaI a.ilget S..........,. Progr..... .10171 A....t 2008 REVENUES: Grants Sponsorships/Donations Ticket/Admission Income Food and Beverage SalesN endor Income Other TOTAL EXPENSES: Academic Olympics Summer Film Flick Gathering/Adults & Youth Dialogue Adult Basketball Tournament Youth Gospel Concert Family Day at Pompey Park Heritage Parade, Prayer Breakfast, Health Screening Gospel on the Square Insurance Promotions/Marketing Banners/Sites TOTAL $12,000 $ 8,000 $ 8,000 $ 5,000 $ 1.000 $34,000 $ 2,700 $ 200 $ 100 $ 5,600 $ 500 $ 5,800 $ 300 $ 9,300 $ 4,000 $ 2,000 $ 3.000 $33,500 ------ .---- g] ] ] - lH 1 , I , I , I , , \ , , I ====={) I ~ __-E.A..ST ~TL.~TIC !,VE~~_______ _________------, ------;--------- .' r _ i 1 _"~ . - , ' I I , ' I I , I I' P I , I 1 , I , I~ i~ ,~ Il> ,< I~ m I , 1 , I , 1 , 1 , I , I , 1 , I , I , I , 1 , I , I , I , I , I , I , ___________--'0 ~'" .s .s~ 4v1 UJ{ ~:d(J ~ ~ //,,' n "AI ri" CU/""Tt/A'AL ri!"S77//;H.. "" ., ~ tJ b . '16- , ~ ~ ~:I" ~/d"t- : .,I~-'-ohV"e ',.4c.fi, Message Page 1 of 1 Kucmerowski, Carolanne From: Harden, David Sent: Wednesday, June 21,20063:21 PM To: 'Director' Cc: Kucmerowski, Carolanne Subject: RE: Old School Square Budget Presentation Sure. No problem. -----Original Message----- From: Director [mailto:Director@oldschool.org] Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 2:28 PM To: Harden, David Cc: drjaydds@bellsouth.net; Barcinski, Robert Subject: Old School Square Budget Presentation Mr. Harden: The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors has respectively requested to be placed on the July 18th city workshop agenda for our annual budget presentation as well as an update on our city partnership. Please advise if that would be possible. Thank you for your assistance. Joe Gillie Executive Director Old School Square 7/13/2006 \NS.l MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Commission FROM: Douglas E. Smith, Assistant City Manag~ DATE: July 14, 2006 SUBJECT: CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING - July 18,2006 Red Light Photo Enforcement - Redflex Traffic Systems Redflex Traffic Systems requested to make a presentation to the City Commission regarding their red light photo enforcement program. A Redflex brochure and an email from the company with a sample ordinance is attached; the sample ordinance would create a red zone infraction that would not be a traffic citation. A Florida Attorney General's opinion on this issue is also attached which states that legislative changes are needed before traffic citations and penalties can be issued using red light cameras. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed this issue (see attached memorandum). Based on the City Attorney's review, staff does not recommend implementing a red light enforcement program at this time, unless the Commission desires to just monitor red light violations and send warnings. The program could be revisited in the future if changes are made to the Florida Statutes which allow citations and fines. c: Susan Ruby, City Attorney Cathy Kozul, Assistant City Attorney Police Chief Lany Schroeder \N ~.3 [ITY DF DELRA' BEA[H CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE 2()() NW 1st AVENl1E. DELRAY BEACH. FLORIDA 33444 n'LLI'HO!\E 5hl !.2-U-7()9() . FACSIM ILE: 561/278-4755 DELRAY BEACH t..eZtI All-America City Writer's Direct Line: 561/243-7091 , III I! DATE: 1993 TO: 2001 MEMORANDUM July 11, 2006 David Harden, City Manager Doug Smith, Assistant City Manager FROM: Susan A. Ruby, City Attorney SUBJECT: Red Liqht Cameras The recent bill that would have allowed red light cameras died in committee. In light of that, I asked Cathy Kozol to present her legal opinion on the Red Light Camera Ordinance. Her opinion is attached. She cites conflicts with existing law. Based on the foregoing, I would recommend that if we desire to proceed that we should urge our local delegation to support a bill which would expressly allow red light cameras. I am providing materials from other jurisdictions on the issue for your review. ~ Attachment cc: Chief Larry Schroeder, Delray Beach Police Department Cathy Kozol, Police Legal Advisor Message Page 1 of2 ~ Ruby, Susan From: Kozol, Catherine Sent: Monday, July 10, 20064:56 PM To: Ruby, Susan Subject: Red Light Ordinance Hi Susan- I have reviewed and researched the proposed ordinance for photographing "red light runners." While I personally like the idea of the ordinance and believe it would help curtail accidents, until the legislature addresses the issue, I believe that there are major concerns that hinder it's application. The first area of concern deals with notice to the violator. Under the ordinance, notice is to be provided by US mail. According to F.S. 318.14 "... any person cited for an infraction under this section must sign and accept a citation indicating a promise to appear." Therefore, personal jurisdiction would not be obtained through the method prescribed in the ordinance. Although there is no case law in Florida regarding the issue, Arizona had a similar case regarding notice and held that unless the receipt of summons and complaint is executed, service would not be complete. SefJ->- Tonner v. paladis_e VaHe-y_Magi~trat~'~__Court, 831 P.2d 448, 451 (Ariz.Ct.App. 1992). Thus, to make the ordinance work, we would have to personally serve each recipient. While this might work for a small community such as Apopka, it would not only be difficult but cost prohibitive for a city as large as Delray Beach. The second issue deals with a vehicle owner who was not driving the vehicle. The ordinance places the burden on the vehicle owner to sign an affidavit of non- responsibility if he/she was not the one driving the vehicle and inform the City of the actual driver if known. No where in our justice system whether criminal or civil, is a burden placed on a defendant to foster a defense to help establish the state's or plaintiff's case. I do not believe that this would be constitutional. Third, is the issue dealing with the officer's observation of the violator. F .5. 901.15(5) states that a violation of of chapter 316 must be committed in the presence of the officer or immediately in fresh pursuit. Even if we avoid these traffic statutes by using a ordinance as in this case, F .5. 901.15 states that a violation of a municipal ordinance must be in the presence of the officer or in fresh pursuit. Thus, an issue arises if an officer reviews the videos and photo's of the DL and makes a comparison, then later testifies in court. I believe there may be some evidentiary problems in court. Per your request, I have spoken with Jay Spector who said that the way to circumvent these issues is to use a City ordinance and call it a public hazard and not a moving violation. Thus, the City would not be citing under Florida Statute and the statutes would not prevail. I do not think however, that this idea would bypass preemption issues as the statutory conflicts would prevail. It should also be 7/11/2006 Message Page 2 of2 noted that according to Mr.. Spector, no other City in Florida has adopted this ordinance as of yet. Susan, I hope that the above sheds some light (excuse the pun) on the issue. If you have have questions or concerns or need anything further, please let me know. Cathy 7/11/2006 Page 1 of3 Ruby, Susan From: Ruby, Susan Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 11 :31 AM To: Smith, Douglas Subject: FW: Red Light Cameras FYI. FYI Susan 5t 'Ruby City Attorney 200 N. W. 1st Ave. Delray Beach, FI. 33444 Telephone: 561-243-7091 Facsimile: 561-278-4755 ru by@ci.delray-beach.f1.us -----Original Message----- From: Kozol, Catherine Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 3:57 PM To: Ruby, Susan Subject: FW: Red Light Cameras FYI Here is an added response from George Wysong in Miami. Catherine M. Kozol Assistant City Attorney/Police Legal Advisor 300 West Atlantic Avenue Delray Beach, Florida 33444 (561) 243-7823 -----Original Message----- From: Wysong, George [mailto:George.Wysong@miami-police.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 3:52 PM To: Kozol, Catherine Subject: RE: Red Light Cameras FYI My pleasure, incidentally the Mayor of Miami has been interested in the Red Light Cameras too and has made it one of his legislative priorities for the last couple of years. It seems every year for the last five years there has been a bill in the legislature to allow the red light cameras and each year the bill dies in committee. Maybe some day it will pass. From: Kozol, Catherine [mailto:Kozol@ci.delray-beach.fl.us] Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 3:37 PM To: Wysong, George Subject: RE: Red Light Cameras FYI Thanks George. Hope all is going well down there in Miami. Catherine M. Kozol Assistant City Attorney/Police Legal Advisor 300 West Atlantic Avenue Delray Beach, Florida 33444 (561) 243-7823 -----Original Message----- From: Wysong, George [mailto:George.Wysong@miami-police.org] 7/10/2006 Page 2 of3 Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 3:34 PM To: Kozol, Catherine Subject: FW: Red Light Cameras FYI Importance: High FYI Speaker: No red-light cameras House leader blasts measure for its 'government intrusion' By John Kennedy, Tallahassee Bureau, Orlando Sentinel, 2/25 TALLAHASSEE -- House Speaker Allan Bense said Thursday that he would block any legislation that would allow automated cameras to catch drivers who run red lights. "I hate it. It will not go through the Florida House," Bense vowed. Bense so far has rarely threatened to wield the power of the speaker's office over any legislation. But Thursday, he declared dead the idea of using cameras to catch red-light runners even before the two-month session begins March 8. 12 The Panama City Republican said he feared municipalities would use the devices chiefly to increase dollars collected from traffic fines. "You put cameras at the intersection of First Street and Second Court, and if you do real well, then why not put them at the intersection of Third Street and Fifth Avenue, and if that does well, they become cash cows," Bense said. "Pretty soon, perhaps jaywalking is getting pretty bad. . . I just think it's government intrusion in our lives." Rep. Ron Reagan, R-Sarasota, and Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, are sponsoring legislation that would allow local governments to use such cameras. Florida currently bans their use, although cameras are used in 19 states. Both lawmakers say their prime concern is saving lives. They say records show 900 people are killed and 200,000 injured nationwide each year in motor-vehicle collisions caused by drivers violating red-light traffic signals. Among the supporters of the legislation are the Florida League of Cities, the Florida Association of Counties, law-enforcement groups, The Florida Insurance Council and Florida Medical Association. But with critics saying the cameras invade privacy and prove a boon both for companies that operate them and municipalities that collect fines, similar proposals have failed to advance in the Florida Legislature for several years. Reagan and Wise said this week they sought to soften opposition by steering clear of how fines are distributed in their bills, leaving that controversial measure for lawmakers to decide later. "It's all about profits under the guise of public safety," said Senate President Tom Lee, R-Brandon. "When you take the profit motive out . . . nobody wants to do cameras at red lights anymore." Robert Trammell, a former legislator and now lobbyist for SmartCop Inc., a Pensacola company whose software is used in red-light enforcement, conceded the legislation faces an uphill fight. SmartCop's board of directors includes former federal Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp, former federal Drug Czar William Bennett, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pensacola trial lawyer Fred Levin. "That is a strong statement by Speaker Bense and disappointing," Trammell said. "But I 7/10/2006 Page 3 of3 knew he didn't like the issue going in. We're going to work with him. He's not a person that's so hard-headed that he would ignore overwhelming logic." 7/10/2006 tTAL RE[tLlGHT PHOTO ENFORCEMENT CAMERA SYSTE The facts Around the world some 400,000 people die in road accidents every year. Red-light running causes around 260,000 crashes each year, of which approximately 750 are fatal. Fatal red-light crashes are on the increase, far out pacing all other fatal crashes. In the USA, the economic impact of crashes overall is estimated at USS 7 billion each year in medical costs, time off work, insurance hikes and property damage. Behavioral changes The ultimate goal of red-light cameras is to reduce the number of accidents at signalized intersections where there is a history of red-light violations. Large-scale automated photo enforcement technologies provide powerful tools to modify unsafe driving behavior. The results Redflex digital camera enforcement programs deliver impressive results: . The City of Chicago, Illinois, has reduced red-light running by the magnitude of 40% at some of the busiest intersections in the US. . The City of Fremont, California, has reported reductions of intersection collisions in excess of 40% since program inception. . The City of Dayton, Ohio, has reported a drop in red-light running, city wide, in excess of 28% and collision in excess of 60% at enforced intersections. . The City of Savannah, Georgia, has achieved a reduction in red-light running by a magnitude of 45%. . The Toledo Police Department's Traffic Section report a 26% overall drop in traffic accidents at moni- tored approaches. A number of intersections showed a reduction in accidents by up to 65%. As one of the inaugural programs in the State of California, Culver City has achieved collfsion reduction in excess of 60% at enforced intersections. . According to the County Sheriff's Department of San Juan Capistrano, CA, there was a 40% drop in injury collisions at targeted intersections in 2001. The results are undeniable: camera enforcement systems change driver behavior by modifying the driving environment. In the short-term, motorists develop the perception that if you run a red-light you will be caught; in the long-term, attitudes and behaviors change. "The camera technology proposed by Redflex was determined to be significantly superior to that of the competition. " Virginia Beach VA Police, Selection Committee M; Redflex program benefits Proven outcomes of using digital solutions for public safety include dramatic reductions in road trauma, substantial infrastructure savings and the powerful, intangible benefits of saved lives and averted injuries. Public acceptance Communities want safer roads. An Arizona survey conducted by Behavior Research Inc. found that almost 80% of Scottsdale drivers supported the Focus on Safety program using Redflex speed and red-light camera systems. Non-intrusive & autonomous The Redflex system works autonomously to the City's existing traffic control system. Redflex provides tailored solutions to meet City specific operational requirements, including full non-intrusive options that require no roadbed cuts, lane closures and minimal disruption to the City's streetscape. Redflex SMARTscene ™ SMART scene ™ combines the dynamics of full motion video with the prosecutability of high-resolution digital images. SMART scene ™ provides a 12 second motion video clip showing a view of the intersection 6 seconds before and 6 seconds after the red-light violation. SMARTscene ™ combines the dynamics of full motion video with the prosecutability of high-resolution digital images. A scell~e'image B scene image Web access No matter what state or city the customer is in, access to all contract information is via Redflex WEBops ™ - simply by using the Internet and a standard web browser. WEBops ™ provides secure access to the Police Authorization facility, reports, program management, statistics and performance information. Security For security over wired and wireless telecommunications networks and the Internet, RedfJex uses the VeriSign Trust Network™. Customers who access information from the Redflex Traffic Systems Web site can be confident that information really comes from Redflex and has not been altered or corrupted since it was created and signed. Equipment verification All RedfJex Traffic Systems digital cameras are accessible on-line to maintain and verify camera operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Notice printing Notices are printed with color images showing the scene, plate and driver's face. Clear identifiable pictures of the offending vehicle, driver and showing the status of the traffic lights reduces the need for public viewing facilities and the number of disputed tickets. Reclflex Traffic Systems Ine. 15020 North 74th Street Scottsdale, Arizona 85260,USA TeJ:+1 (480) 607 0705 Fa>e1 (480) 607 0752 E-Mail: sales@redflex.com VIOLATION NOTICE Citation Issue Date: 03I02I04 Bail Amount: $271.00 Slale / license Plate Number: _BA Location of Otiense: Eastern and Markel _s.ille. Dale f Time of Violation: 03102104 15:32:13 NOTICE TO APPEAR Case No. 6016EF Date 01 Violation 03I02I04 Name (First. Middle. Lasl) John SmiU1 Addn~ss :w.s Raemur sa C;ly Brownsvill. Race 1997 Registered Owner Of lessee John Smith Address 2045 Raemur St Cily Brownavllle ZIP Code 85265 Violation Red light offense Location of Violation Victoria and Telegraph Code and Section TIRL-234 Description City a! Occurence Ventura . Violation was cornmited in my presence_ I he abO'o/e is dedared on information and ~S('d on phOlogj'aphiC~ Dale Issued ~ YOU MUST RESPOND TO THE COURT ON OR BEFORE' WHEN: Da1e: D4ID4I04 lime: 4 00 WHAT TO DO- Follow the instructions on the reverse WHERE: Brownsville Court Infringement Division, Room 13 315 North Street Brownsville California 85264 Sampl~NoIict! seE REVERSE Proof of Service 1. JAVlERAlVARAOO of Traffic Salety Sysie.,.Inc.. Culver City, Califomia, do certify lhat I am over 18 years olct and not a party to !he above entitled caSll, 00 Thursday. March 4, 2004, I plated thiS Notice to Appe-af in an erweIope addressed to the registered owner or lesSee as shown above. sealed it, and deposited the 8n\lelope in. Uniled Stales Postal SeNd receptacle located a1 \he! Uniled States Postal Service ofIice in Culver Cit}I, California. In the ordinary course of bus.iness.llleen~i5 sealed. arrixedwlttl properposlape, and mailed. I declare under peflBly or perjury thai the foregoing is true and correct ~ Daled 'OJxxfu.x:J. JAVIER ALVARADO Code 01 Cjv~ Procedure 1013a13} . REDFLEX TRAFFIC SYSTEMS Citalion Number: 190124 For inlormaiton on SMARTCAM automated enforcement contact: 16020 NorlII74th Street Sco_1s AZ. USA 85260 Tel: +ll_l 607 0705 Fax: +1 (480) 607 0752 Typical red-light violation notice I == Reclflex Traffic Systems Arundel House, 23 Hickory Gardens Southampton, Hampshire S030 3RN, United Kingdom Tel:+44 2380462165 Fax:+44 2380 470 882 E-Mail: sales@redflex.com.au ~ "0 '" ~ '" <= "0 '" 0:: o > Rectflex Traffic Systems Inc. 6047 Bristol Parkway Suite 100, Culver City, California 90230,USA Tel:+1 (310) 642 0470 Fax:+1 (310) 642 0142 E-Mail: sales@redflex.com Reclflex Traffic Systems Pty Ltd 31 Market Street South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia Tel:+61 (3) 96741800 Fa>e61 (3) 9690 0705 Web: wwvv.redflex.com E-Mail: sales@redflex.com.au N o o o Page 1 of2 Smith, Douglas From: Jay Specter (JSpecter@sc.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 20,20061 :13 PM To: Smith, Douglas Cc: 'Paige Carter-Smith' Subject: Photo Enforcement Dear Doug, Paige Carter-Smith had asked that I send you some information on photo enforcement. I have attached several files for your review. The first file is a Redflex Brochure and the second file is a sample ordinance for a city in Florida. Photo enforcement has produced a reduction in violations across the country. Normal reductions in accidents and violations range from 40% to 70% when compared to the first month of system operations. Photo enforcement systems do generate revenue for the municipality. The revenue is generated from those citizens that choose to break the law and run red lights. On average each camera system will generate between 1,000 and 600 violations monthly and then will taper off over time (normally 3 years) by 70%. Should you have any questions or need some additional information, please let me know. Redflex Traffic Systems provides innovative public safety solutions to local governments in the United States of America and worldwide. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona and with local offices coast-to-coast, Redflex partners with public safety officials in law enforcement, transportation and engineering to reduce traffic accidents and eliminate the resulting injuries, fatalities and property damage. As industry pioneers and supporting programs since 1986, Redflex is the most recognized name in the photo enforcement industry. Redflex supports programs in over 16 States and 87 cities in the United States and in 10 Countries worldwide. Our mission is to deliver the most innovative and comprehensive turnkey public safety programs that provide substantial benefits for our customers year after year. This mission is based on our proven abilities to deliver the most innovative and effective technologies coupled with sterling customer service. Redflex provides a vast array of Public Safety Solutions lines of business, each of which includes industry leading hardware, software and support services that are required for a world-class public safety program. Each of our solutions are built upon the Redflex Smart Platform™, which enables Cities to effectively and efficiently implement a stand alone or integrated solution, featuring one or several of our Core Solution Lines of Business and advanced public safety features. Each of our Lines of Business combines the most advanced image capturing and sensor technologies that result in: . The highest number of violations identified and captured . The highest Prosecutable Image Rate in the industry (90% +) . The industries highest level of convictions . The greatest reduction in violations and accidents . The greatest ongoing public support Redflex is truly the industry leader in Photo Enforcement. Regards, f~~ 7/12/2006 Page 20f2 Jay Specter B Briarberry Road Columbia, South Carolina 29223 T (803) 429-8085 F (803) 699-0378 JSpecter@sc.rr.com JSpecter@redflex.com www.redflex.com *** eSafe scanned this email for malicious content *** *** IMPORTANT: Do not open attachments from unrecognized senders *** 7/12/2006 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- REVISION NO. ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF , FLORIDA, CREATING CHAPTER _ OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF TO BE CALLED "THE City OF DANGEROUS INTERSECTION SAFETY ACT"; AND NEW SECTIONS XX.01 THROUGH XX.15 PROVIDING FOR INTENT AND DEFINITIONS; ESTABLISHING AN ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM WITHIN THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO PERMIT AND IMPLEMENT THE USE OF UNMANNED CAMERAS/MONITORING DEVICES FOR RED ZONE INFRACTIONS; PROVIDING ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES, INCLUDING NOTICE, APPEAL HEARINGS, PENALTIES, IMPOSITION OF ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES AND COLLECTION; PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTIONS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of ("City") is located in a high density traffic area and regularly experiences traffic incidents related to the failure of motorists to obey duly erected traffic control devices, which exposes its citizens to the dangers of personal injury and property damage; and WHEREAS, the City Commission is concerned with the inability to sufficiently enforce the state statute prohibiting running of red lights, and, WHEREAS, the use of unmanned cameras to enforce toll violations on the state's toll roads has been determined to be fair, reasonable and sufficient by the State of Florida in order to effectively enforce laws regulating the payment of tolls without the need to commit the extreme amount of personnel that would be necessary without the use of unmanned cameras; and, WHEREAS, similarly, the use of unmanned cameras will be effective in enforcing ordinances requiring vehicles not to proceed into an intersection and to Page 1 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006-_ ORDINANCE NO. REVISION NO. stop for red lights; therefore freeing City police personnel to respond to other, and sometimes more, significant incidents as well as serious crime; and, WHEREAS, local governments in different parts of the state and country have demonstrated the enhancement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic safety attributable to the integration of automated image capture technologies with traditional traffic law enforcement methodology; and WHEREAS, 9 316.008, Florida Statutes, grants municipalities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of police power, authority to regulate and monitor traffic by means of police officers and security devices; and WHEREAS, the City of has home rule authority pursuant to Article VIII, Section 2 of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, and enables the City to enact an ordinance making it a violation of the City's Code of Ordinances when a vehicle proceeds into an intersection when the traffic control signal for that vehicle's direction of travel is emitting a steady red signal damages the public by endangering vehicle operators and pedestrians alike, by decreasing the efficiency of traffic control and traffic flow efforts, and by increasing the number of serious accidents to which public safety agencies must respond at the expense of the taxpayers and to provide for enforcement of such violations of the City's Code of Ordinances through the use of the City's Code Enforcement Special Masters; and, Page 2 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- ORDINANCE NO. REVISION NO. WHEREAS, Attorney General Opinion 05-41, dated July 12, 2005, confirms the authority of the City to enact an ordinance when a vehicle proceeds into an intersection when the traffic control signal for that vehicle's direction of travel is emitting a steady red signal a violation of the City's Code of Ordinances, to use unmanned cameras to monitor intersections in the City for such violations of the City's Code, and to record the license tag numbers of vehicles involved in such violations; and, WHEREAS, the Attorney General has opined that the City may not issue traffic citations under the State Statutes to drivers for violations observed by the use of unmanned cameras and not otherwise observed by police officers; and, WHEREAS, in order to be consistent with state law and the Attorney General's Opinion, the City will issue City Notices of Violations to registered owners of vehicles, will not utilize the uniform traffic citation prescribed by Chapter 316, and will not prosecute offenses of its City ordinance through county court, thus the City's enforcement program; and, WHEREAS, the City Commission finds it to be fair and reasonable to use the same procedure used by the state to enforce toll violations through unmanned cameras, to provide alleged violators with the opportunity to have a hearing within the City using the City's Code Enforcement Special Magistrates and the City's code enforcement procedures adopted pursuant to Chapter 162, Florida Statutes, and set forth in Chapter _ of the City's Code of Ordinances; and, Page 3 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- REVISION NO. ORDINANCE NO. WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of finds that implementation of the enforcement program as set forth herein will promote, protect and improve the health, safety and welfare of its citizens, consistent with the authority of and limitations on the City pursuant to the Florida Constitution and Florida statutes; now, therefore BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF , FLORI DA: Section 1. The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Ordinance upon adoption hereof. Section 2. Chapter of the Code of Ordinances of the City of entitled Dangerous Intersection Safety Act, shall be created to read as follows: Chapter XX: CITY OF & XX.01 Intent. DanQerous Intersection Safety Act. The purpose of this Act is to authorize the use of a unmanned cameras/monitorinq system to promote compliance with red liqht siqnal directives as proscribed bv this Act. and to adopt a civil enforcement system for vehicles that proceed in to an intersection when the traffic control siqnal for that vehicle's direction of travel is emitlino a steady red siqnal. This Act will also supplement law enforcement personnel in the enforcement of red liqht siqnal violations and shall not prohibit law enforcement officers from issuinq a citation for a red Iiqht siqnal violation in accordance with normal statutory traffic enforcement techniques. &XX.02 Use of Imaqe Capture Technoloqies. The City shall utilize imaqe capture technolooies as a supplemental means of monitorinq compliance with laws related to traffic control siqnals, while Page 4 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006-_ ORDINANCE NO. REVISION NO. assistinq law enforcement personnel in the enforcement of such laws. which are desiqned to protect and improve public health. safety and welfare. This Section shall not supersede. infrinqe. curtail or impinqe upon state laws related to red liqht siqnal violations or conflict with such laws. The City shall utilize imaqe capture technoloqies as an ancillary deterrent to traffic control siqnal violations and to thereby reduce accidents and iniuries associated with such violations. Notices of Infractions issued pursuant to this Act shall be addressed usinq the City's own Special Maqistrates and not uniform traffic citations or county courts. &XX.03 Definitions. The followinq definitions shall apply to this Act: 191 Intersection shall mean the area embraced within the prolonqation or connection of the lateral curb line; or. if none. then the lateral boundary lines. of the roadways of two roads which ioin or intersect one another at. or approximatelv at. riqht anqles: orthe area within which vehicles travelinq upon different roads ioininq at any other anqle may come in conflict. (b) Motor vehicle shall mean any self-propelled vehicle not operated upon rails or quidewav. but not includinq any bicvcle. motorized scooter. electric personal assisted mobilitv device. or moped. {g} Notice of Infraction shall mean a citation issued for a red zone infraction. {Q} OwnerNehicle Ownershall mean the person or entity identified bv the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. or other state vehicle reqistration office. as the reqistered owner of a vehicle. Such term shall also mean a lessee of a motor vehicle pursuant to a lease of six months or more. @l Recorded Imaaes shall mean imaqes recorded bva traffic control siqnal monitorinq system/device: 1:. On: Three or more photoqraphs Three or more electronic imaqes; Three or more diqital imaqes Video: or Anv other medium; and Page 5 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- REVISION NO. ORDINANCE NO. 2. Showinq the rear of a motor vehicle and on at least one imaqe, clearlv identifyinq the reqistration plate number of the vehicle. ill Red Zone Infraction shall mean a traffic offense whereby a traffic control siqnal monitorinq system established that a vehicle proceeded into an intersection controlled bv a dulv erected traffic control device when the traffic control siqnal for that vehicle's direction of travel was emittinq a steady red siqnal. fg) Special Maaistrate shall mean the City's Code Enforcement Special Maqistrate. !b.1 Traffic Control Siqnal shall mean a device exhibitinq different colored liqhts or colored liqhted arrows, successivelv one at a time or in combination, usinq onlv the colors qreen, vellow. and red which indicate and applv to drivers of motor vehicles as provided in Florida Statutes & 316.075. ill Traffic Control Sianal Monitorinq System/Device shall mean an electronic system consistinq of one or more vehicle sensors, workinq in coniunction with a traffic control siqnal. still camera and video recordinq device, to capture and produce recorded imaqes of motor vehicles proceedinq into an intersection aqainst a steady red liqht siqnal indication. &XX.04 Adherence to Red Liqht Traffic Control Siqnals. Motor vehicle traffic facinq a traffic control siqnal's steady red liqht indication shall not proceed into an intersection at a system location when the traffic control siqnal for that vehicle's direction of travel is emittinq a steady red siqnal.: however, the driver of a vehicle which is stopped at a clearlv marked stop line, but if none. before enterinq the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersectinq roadway where the driver has a view of approachinq traffic on the intersectinq roadway before enterinq the intersection in obedience of a steady red traffic control siqnal. may make a riqht turn (unless such turn is otherwise prohibited bv posted siqn or other traffic control device) but shall vield riqht-of-wav to pedestrians and other traffic proceedinq as directed bv the traffic control siqnal at the intersection. Page 6 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- REVISION NO. ORDINANCE NO. &XX.05 Violation. A violation of this Act. known as a Red Zone I nfraction. shall occur when a vehicle does not comply with the requirements of paraqraph (4). Violations shall be enforced pursuant to paraqraph (7) herein. &XX.06 Thirty Day notice; introductory period. For the first thirty (30) days of this Ordinance or the first thirty (30) days after the traffic control siqnal monitorinq system/device is installed and operational (which ever is later), unless the driver of a vehicle received a citation from a police officer at the time of a Red Zone Infraction in accordance with normal traffic enforcement techniques, the vehicle owner shall receive a courtesy notice of the violation. Commencinq thirty-one after the effective date ofthe Act or installation of the traffic control siqnal monitorinq system/device (which ever comes later). the vehicle owner is subiect to the enforcement provision as provided herein. &XX.07 Review of Recorded Imaqes. .@l The owner of the vehicle which is observed by Recorded Imaqes committinq a Red Zone Infraction. shall be issued a Notice of Infraction. The Recorded Imaqe shall be sufficient qrounds to issue a City Notice of Infraction. fQ} The City shall desiqnate an Officer(s). who shall meet the qualifications set forth in &943.13. Florida Statutes. The Officer shall receive a minimum of 16 hours of classroom traininq and receive a certificate of completion from the vendor providinq the Traffic Control Siqnal Monitorinq System/Device. The Officer shall review Recorded I maqes prior to the issuance of a Notice of Infraction to ensure accuracy and the inteqrity of the Recorded Imaqes. Once the Officer has verified the accuracy of the Recorded Imaqes he or she shall have the Notice of Infraction prepared and mailed via first class U.S. mail to the Vehicle Owner at the address on record with the Florida Department of Hiqhway Safety and Motor Vehicles or if the vehicle is reqistered in another state or country. the owner's address as shown on the motor vehicle reqistration records of the department or aqency of the other state or country analoqous to the Florida Department of Hiqhway Safety and Motor Vehicles &XX.08 Notice of Infraction. Page 7 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- REVISION NO. ORDINANCE NO. The City Notice of Infraction shall include: @l The name and address of the vehicle owner: fQ1 The license plate number and reQistration number of the vehicle: M The make. model. year and color of the vehicle; (Q} Notice that the violation charQed is pursuant to this Act: .liD. The location of the intersection where the violation occurred; ill The date and time of the red zone infraction: {gj Notice that the Recorded ImaQes relatinQ to the vehicle and a statement that the recorded imaQes are evidence of a red zone infraction; fb.} Copies of at least three of the recorded color imaQes: fb.} The civil penalty imposed: .ill The procedures for payment of the civil penalty and contestinQ the notice of infraction: ill A siQned statement by the Traffic Control Infraction Officer that, based on inspection of recorded imaQes, the vehicle was involved in a Red Zone Infraction; !.Is} Information advisinQ the person alleQed to be liable under this Section. the manner and time in which liability as alleQed in the Notice of Infraction may be appealed and warninq that failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability in a timely manner is an admission of liability. &XX.09 Vehicle Owner Responsibilities. A Vehicle Owner receivinQ a Notice of Infraction may. within twenty one (21) days of the date of the Notice of Infraction: @l Pay the assessed civil penalty pursuant to instructions on the notice of infraction; or fQ1 Request an appeal pursuant with procedures as outlined in this Act: Page 8 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- REVISION NO. ORDINANCE NO. The failure to comply with the provisions of this Section within twenty one (21) days from the date of the Notice of Infraction shall constitute a waiver of the riqht to contest the Notice of Infraction and will be considered an admission. &XX.10 Appeal to Special Maqistrate. The City's Code Enforcement Special Maqistrates are authorized to consider appeals under this Chapter within twenty one (21) days of the date of the Notice of Infraction, the Vehicle Owner may file an appeal with the City pursuant to the directions in the Notice of Infraction. A hearinq on the appeal shall be scheduled for all appeals except those in which the Vehicle Owner submits an affidavit pursuant to &XX.11 in which the Vehicle Owner affirms under penalty of periury that the vehicle was not under his or her care, custody or control, or that of someone with Vehicle Owner's consent. .@} Upon receipt of the appeal. the City shall schedule a hearinq before the Special Maqistrate to occur not later than sixty (60) days after City's receipt of the appeal. Notice of Hearinq shall be provided to the Vehicle Owner no less than ten (10) days prior to the hearino, and shall be provided by certified and U.S. mail to the same address to which the Notice of Infraction was sent. {Q} The followinq shall be permissible qrounds for an appeal: ill At the time of the infraction, the vehicle was not under the care, custody, or control of the Vehicle Owner or an individual with Vehicle Owner's consent. established pursuant to affidavit as provided in &XX.11 : ill The motor vehicle driver was issued a citation by a law enforcement officer. which was separate and distinct from the citation issued under this Section, for violatino the steady red traffic control sional: illll The motor vehicle driver was reouired to violate the steady red traffic control sional in order to comply with other qovernino laws; (iv) The motor vehicle driver was reouired to violate the steady red traffic control sional in order to reasonably protect the property or person of another; M The steady red traffic control siqnal was inoperable or malfunctionino: or Page 9 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- REVISION NO. ORDINANCE NO. (vi) Anv other reason the Special MaQistrate deems appropriate. i9 The Imaqe Review Officer shall testify at the appeal. Then. the Vehicle Owner may present testimony and evidence. @ Recorded ImaQes indicatinq a Red Zone Infraction. verified bv the Traffic Control Infraction Review Officer. are admissible in any proceedinq before the City's Special Maqistrate to enforce the provisions of this Chapter. and shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation. ~ Unless an affidavit is provided pursuant to &XX.11. it is presumed the person reoistered as the vehicle owner with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles or any other state vehicle reqistration office. or an individual havinq the owner's consent, was operatinq the vehicle at the time of a Red Zone Infraction. &XX.11 Vehicle Owner Affidavit of Non-responsibilitv. I n order to for the Vehicle Owner to establish that the motor vehicle was at the time of the Red Zone Infraction. in the care. custody, or control of another person without the consent of the reoistered owner. the Vehicle Owner is required. within twenty one (21) days from the date listed on the Notice of Infraction, to furnish to the City, an affidavit settino forth the circumstances demonstratinq that the motor vehicle was not in the Vehicle Owner's care custody or control. or that of a person with Vehicle Owner's consent. The affidavit must be executed in the presence of a notary. and include: fill If known to the Vehicle Owner. the name. address. and the driver license numberofthe person who leased. rented or otherwise had care. custody. or control of the motor vehicle at the time of the alleqed Red Zone Infraction; or fQ.) If the vehicle was stolen. the police report indicatinq the vehicle was stolen at the time of the alleqed Red Zone Infraction. i9 The followino lanquaqe immediatelv above the siqnature line: "Under penalties of periury. I declare that I have read the foreooinq affidavit and that the facts stated in it are true." Upon receipt of an affidavit pursuant to this section. any prosecution ofthe Notice of Infraction issued to the vehicle owner shall be terminated. Page 10 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- REVISION NO. ORDINANCE NO. &XX.12 Penalties. A violation of this Act shall be deemed a non-criminal. non-movinq violation for which a civil penaltv in the amount of $1 00.00 shall be assessed. As the violation relates to this Act and not the State Statutes. no points as provided in & 322.27. Florida Statutes. shall be recorded on the drivinq record of the vehicle owner or responsible party. &XX.13 Administrative Charqes. In addition to the assessment pursuant to &XX.12 herein. administrative charqes may be assessed in the event of an appeal or the necessity to institute collection procedures. &XX.14 Collection of Fines. The City may establish procedures for the collection of a penaltv imposed herein. and may enforce such penaltv bv civil action in the nature of debt. ~XX.15 Exceptions. This Act shall not applv to Red Zone Infractions involvinq vehicle collisions or to any authorized emerqencv vehicle respondinq to a bona fide emerqencv: nor shall a Notice of Infraction be issued in any case where the operator of the vehicle was issued a citation for violatinq the state statute reqardinq the failure to stop at a red liqht indication. Section 3. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding shall in no way affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. Section 4. Inclusion in Code. It is the intention of the City Commission of the City of , Florida, that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the City of Code of Ordinances; and that the sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered and the word "ordinance" may be Page 11 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006-_ ORDINANCE NO. REVISION NO. changed to "section," "article," or such other appropriate word or phrase in order to accomplish such intentions. [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK] Page 12 of 13 PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2006- REVISION NO. ORDINANCE NO. Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective upon adoption by the City Commission. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF , FLORIDA ON FIRST READING THIS DAY OF , 2006. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF , FLORIDA ON SECOND READING THIS DAY OF , 2005. CITY OF , FLORIDA ATTEST: BY: MAYOR , CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO FORM: OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY Page 1 3 of 13 Advisory Legal Opinion - Traffic, use of unmanned cameras Page 1 of4 Florida Attorney General Advisory Legal Opinion Number: AGO 2005-41 Date: July 12, 2005 Subject: Traffic, use of unmanned cameras Mr. Samuel S. Goren City of Pembroke Pines Attorney 3099 East Commercial Boulevard Suite 200 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308 RE: MUNICIPALITIES - UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL LAW - ORDINANCES - CAMERAS - use of unmanned cameras to monitor traffic violations. Ch. 166, Fla. Stat., and s. 316.075, Fla. Stat. Dear Mr. Goren: On behalf of the Pembroke Pines City Commission you have asked for my opinion on essentially the following questions: 1. May the City of Pembroke Pines enact an ordinance authorizing the city to monitor violations of traffic signals within the city? 2. If the answer to Question One is "yes," may the city use unmanned cameras to monitor intersections and document traffic violations? 3. If the answers to Questions One and Two are both "yes," may the city use the photographic evidence from the unmanned cameras to advise a car owner of a violation? 4. If the answers to Questions One and Two are "yes," may the city use its code enforcement special magistrate, and enforcement procedures provided in Chapter 162, Florida Statutes, to enforce violations of traffic signals? 5. If the answers to Questions One and Two are "yes," is the city authorized to install the unmanned cameras at intersections for state and/or county roads as long as all authorities with jurisdiction over such roads consent and use the photographic evidence in the same manner as the city for violations documented at intersections involving only city streets? According to your letter, the City of Pembroke Pines seeks to enhance public safety within the city by attempting to reduce dangerous driving behavior relating to the failure to obey red light indications on traffic signal devices, a laudable goal. The city commission desires to enact an ordinance authorizing the city to monitor traffic signals within the city. The city would install unmanned cameras at intersections within the city http://myfloridalegal.com/ ago .nsf/printview /CEO 1 BE293FCEEA2085 25 703C00720344 7/12/2006 Advisory Legal Opinion - Traffic, use of unmanned cameras Page 2 of 4 to record vehicles that fail to stop for red lights. The photographic evidence from the unmanned cameras would be used to advise the vehicle's owner of the violation. Questions One and Two Chapter 316, Florida Statutes, is the "Florida Unif9r.m Traffic Control Law." Section 316.002, Florida Statutes, expresses the legislative intent for adopting this law, stating: "It is the legislative intent in the adoption of this chapter to make unifor.m traffic laws to apply throughout the state and its several counties and unifor.m traffic ordinances to apply in all municipalities. The Legislature recognizes that there are conditions which require municipalities to pass certain other traffic ordinances in regulation of municipal traffic that are not required to regulate the movement of traffic outside of such municipalities. Section 316.008 enumerates the area within which municipalities may control certain traffic movement or parking in their respective jurisdictions. This section shall be supplemental to the other laws or ordinances of this chapter and not in conflict therewith. It is unlawful for any local authority to pass or to attempt to enforce any ordinance in conflict with the provisions of this chapter." (e. s . ) The Legislature clearly recognized the authority of municipalities to adopt certain local legislation to control traffic and parking within municipalities. In section 316.008, Florida Statutes, the traffic control law enumerates several areas that local authorities are authorized to address, including, " [r]egulating, restricting, or monitoring traffic by security devices or personnel on public streets and highways, whether by public or private parties. . . ."[1] As this office concluded in Attorney General's Opinion 97-06, the use of an unmanned camera to record vehicles that do not remain stopped and standing at a steady red light as required by section 316.075 (3) (a), Florida Statutes, would appear to fall within the scope of this authority. Thus, it is my opinion that the City of Pembroke Pines is authorized by the ter.ms of section 316.002 and 316.008, Florida Statutes, to enact an ordinance authorizing the city to monitor violations of traffic signals within the city and to use unmanned cameras to monitor intersections and record traffic violations. Question Three As discussed above, it is my opinion that the City of Pembroke Pines is authorized to monitor violations of traffic signals within the city and to use unmanned cameras to record the license tag numbers of cars involved in such violations. It is a rule of statutory construction that an express power duly conferred may include the implied authority to use the means necessary to make the express power effective, although such implied authority may not http://myfloridalegal.comlago.nsf/printview /CEO 1 BE293FCEEA2085 25 703 C00720344 7/12/2006 Advisory Legal Opinion - Traffic, use of unmanned cameras Page 3 of 4 warrant the exercise of a substantive power not conferred. [2] The City of Pembroke Pines is granted the authority to regulate and monitor traffic on municipal streets. The express power to regulate and monitor would appear to encompass the authority to advise those in violation of local ordinances that their actions had been recorded by traffic cameras installed to detect such violations. I see no impediment to the city taking such steps in a public safety effort to reduce dangerous driving behavior relating to the failure to obey red light indications on traffic signal devices. Therefore, it is my opinion that the City of Pembroke Pines may use the photographic evidence from unmanned cameras to advise a car owner that his or her license tag number has been recorded in a violation of the traffic laws. Question Four and Five In a 1997 Attorney General Opinion requested by Palm Beach County, this office considered whether a county could enact an ordinance authorizing the use of unmanned cameras at traffic intersections for the purpose of issuing citations for violations of section 316.075, Florida Statutes. Attorney General Opinion 97-06 concluded that the use of unmanned cameras to detect vehicles that do not remain stopped and standing at a steady red light as required by section 316.075(3) (a), Florida Statutes, would appear to come within the scope of statutory provisions authorizing local governments to monitor traffic by security devices on public streets and highways. The problem identified in the opinion was whether unmanned "electronic traffic infraction detectors" may independently be used as the basis for issuing citations for violations of these traffic laws. The provisions of the Unifor.m Traffic Code require that citations be issued when an officer "observes the commission of a traffic infraction[.]" [3] (e.s.) Thus, in order for citations for violations of traffic control laws to be issued, the statutes appear to require that an officer enforcing the traffic law personally observe or have personal knowledge of the particular infraction that serves as the basis for issuing the citation. The opinion concluded that nothing precludes the use of unmanned cameras to record violations of section 316.075, Florida Statutes, but a photographic record of a vehicle violating traffic control laws may not be used as the basis for issuing a citation for such violations. This office has suggested that legislative amendments would be necessary to allow the photographic record from unmanned cameras monitoring intersections to be used as the sole basis for issuing citations. Chapter 316, Florida Statutes, contains provisions regulating traffic control signal devices and mandating a vehicular stop at a red light. Section 316.075, Florida Statutes, designates the colors to be used for traffic control signal lights used to control traffic, including municipal traffic, and requires that "the lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians" as described therein. [4] Pursuant to section 316.075(1) (c)l., Florida Statutes: http://myfloridalegaLcomlago.nsf/printview /CEO 1 BE293FCEEA2085 25703C00720344 7/12/2006 Advisory Legal Opinion - Traffic, use of unmanned cameras Page 4 of 4 IIJ:Jehieu1ar traffic facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown. . . .11 The statute recognizes that municipal and county authorities may take certain actions to regulate traffic turning on a steady red signal. [5] The statute makes a violation of section 316.075, Florida Statutes, a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to Chapter 318 as a moving violation. [6] Thus, Chapter 316, Florida Statutes, contains enforcement and penalty provisions for violations of traffic control signal lights. In light of the proscription contained in section 316.007, Florida Statutes, that "no local authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance on a matter covered by this chapter unless expressly authorized," this office continues to be of the opinion expressed in Attorney General Opinion 97-06 that legislative changes are necessary before local governments may issue traffic citations and penalize drivers who fail to obey red light indications on traffic signal devices. Sincerely, Charlie Crist Attorney General CC/tgh ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1] Section 316.008(1) (w), Fla. Stat. [2] See, e.g., Molwin Investment Company v. Turner, 167 So. 33 (Fla. 1936); Gessner v. Del-Air Corp., 17 So. 2d 522 (Fla. 1944); cr. Thayer v. State, 335 So. 2d 815, 817 (Fla. 1976); Dobbs v. Sea Isle Hotel, 56 So. 2d 341 (Fla. 1952); Ideal Farms Drainage District v. Certain Lands, 19 So. 2d 234 (Fla. 1944). [3] Section 316.640 (5) (a), Fla. Stat. [4] See s. 316.075(1) (a), indicating the actions to be taken when a green indication is given; s. 316.075(1) (b), Fla. Stat., providing direction when a steady yellow indication is presented; and s. 316.075(1) (c), Fla. Stat., relating to a steady red indication. [5] See 316.075(1) (c)l.a. and b., Fla. Stat., allowing counties and municipalities to prohibit right turns against a steady red signal at any intersection and to prohibit a left turn onto a one-way street intersecting another one-way street at a steady red signal. [6] See 316.075(4), Fla. Stat. http://myfloridalegal.comlago .nsf/printview /CEO 1 BE293FCEEA2085 25703 C00720344 7/12/2006 0/\ ~l MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Commission FROM: Douglas E. Smith, Assistant City MamJ.g~ DATE: July 14,2006 SUBJECT: CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING - July 18, 2006 Presentation on Proposed Boardwalk - Atlantic Avenue Bridge Rich McGloin has requested an additional presentation to the Commission on the proposed boardwalk for the Atlantic Avenue Bridge. Mr. McGloin previously made a presentation on a boardwalk concept for the southeast comer of the bridge at the May 10, 2005 Commission Workshop meeting (a concept drawing from the May 2005 meeting is attached). Mr. McGloin now has a concept drawing for the northeast comer of the bridge (also attached) which will be presented at the July 18,2006 workshop meeting. \!\\ S,lf ... FEASiBILITY BUDGET STUDY WATERWAY EAST SHOPPING CENTER LOCATION: NORTHEAST CORNER OF BRIDGE I ESTIMATED COST I I DESCRIPTION SITE AMENITIES BOARDWALK CONNECTION THROUGH GARDEN AREA $18,000- $22,000 LANDSCAPE SHRUBS! PALMS! TREES INCLUDING: CLEARING, GRUBBING, AND SITE PREPARATION $30,000- $35,000 MISCELLANEOUS PERMITTING FEES FOR BOARDWALK AND LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FEES SUB-TOTAL FOR NORTHEAST CORNERI $800- $1,000 $7,500 $56,300-$65,500 I Cotleur Hearing OCT-Zl-05 02:15PM FROM- T-583 P 02 HZd FEASIBILITY BUDGET STUDY! k. LINEAR FEET ,!!~T-ERWA YEAST SHOPPING CENTER .' ---~=;,!==~--------ll"" .__._____J~~_ isauARE F~iT" .-- --~- b.9.g~T.I.Q~~...;1Ql!T!:I.~!'-S! cO~N.~!<_ Qrl.l~!Q.~.E -j I - -" -.--. -.1'=-5_. !WMP SUM . DESCRIPTiON !QUANTITY UNIT PRICE 'TOTAL CDS! ~ITE..!'MENIT.!.ES __ .... . ..1..... ----.-~ .............-_.-_t--~~.,600 I ~~~~:~~::~~~SAND -.~_._:::-.h:.:. I" .....2;~6.r- $2~:~~~~ ,1._.S;'120.oof!. ElIKERACK .-----... j '1 i $1.200.00 !1L.S 1_ $1.200.00 ENTRY-SIGNAGE ---.-.----..- 1 i $1.200.00 -r/LS J" ----S1,200.00 " INTERPRETIVE S!GNAGE AROUND _~~.BD\f~~ AREA- ..d' .-...- 1: $4.000,00 IlLS '--r- $4,000.00 SEATfNG I BENCH' . . i 41 $750,QO i---"!' ._mn S3,000.00 LIGHTING __'n -...-- - "''--'-r--'-' 1 i $5;ooo,uoTii:s:---....._-- 5:000'.00 --.-----.. .--r----..---~ SUIl.TOTAL S87,120.DO LANDS~~PE __~~~~~~~:.: I . :':=:-L ! I ~1!~-!:!.~-?~eAlMS/TREES _______.___..1..,... .!.!...___~~QO.OOI/LS L___.. $50,000.00 CLEARING. GRUBBING. AND SITE PREPARATION i 11 $4,000.00 illS i . "$".(505]1) MI~CEL~AN'EG~~~~~~~'''''' .~. .:u~: ~_.~ _.~~~~-=~= --"}==--'-.- _.~~~~~~_.r~D:i~TA~_~ SS4,naO.nD PERMITTING FEES ______n_ . j .___. I! . $2.000..001/1.5 .___._....1....._. -,&2.000.00 CONSTFtLiCT!ON PLANS ) 11$10,000 - $15,000 II 510.QOO. $15,000 ------...-~ !. "-'-1--'-- iilUi>.TOTAl. $12.000-$17,000 . .----.---........- -. I "'-'--J-- I -----.---<. .- ._.. .___._.__.__ SUB.TOTAL FOR SOUTHEAST CORNERj $133,120-135120,00 _.. _'_"__ .____.-.... i ._. i I LO~ I.I9..N.:._N!?~JHEA8T CORNER.Of aR~2L-________i..... .. . . J:~--' --r-=-~-"u---- SlTl. AMENITIES I I I PAiH7siDEWALK CONNECTION THROUGH GARDeN AREAT .-- . '1T $1.000-$2.000 illS 1'--- . _J1 ,QQ?.:1.?1'OO LANDs"CAPE.....- -..-- - 1--.----1'... - -- f i rsHf3.UElSl~~jZi:BEif.s__ _ _' . -J_~=})I.=:_=.=.:)Iq,~QQ~oo illS ICLEARING, GRUSSING, AND SLTf: f'R?~_~~~~19~-=~J---l~-~~~.OO'O,?Qi~l~_-- I I 9UI!-TOTAL FOR NORTHEAST CORNER! . :$10;000:001 si.5ob~s3.:6oo,ool. . S13.5GO-;1~.-~o~1 EXISTING CONDO . Cotleur Hearing landscape ArcMecture Ptanning Environmental ConsuUing GraphIC Design 1934 Commerce Lane Suite 1 JupU.... Florida 33458 561-747.6336 Fax-747-13n ~ ~ ~Vl ~~ ~~ ~~ fa~ ~~ ~~ ~ CC 0) North ~~HfNtlNGINC. :==-=?-:: ~~...-. ~i 2111i"- () I tf~ 0 E ~!If ~ s i~~!!:r: ~ ~ g - ~ ~ )::) s:J~ ~"<:. ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ , ~ ~~ ::! ~ ~~ ~ ~ )::) If ) @ ==-q ~ ~.S. ~ ~~: ~ ~ t:1. ' ~ .. ~ ~~ ~ :;:~ (1) 0 (1) t-i rt:><' ....en ::l::r <QO 'tl :,f I,' P1lOPE/l1Y lINE I i.I --------------ff; /1 iit "-__J~...' --, I' ,~ . I '..' I I :;: P> '<: l'! ~ ~ ~ I-' o IV o o 111 Uf ATLANTIO BOULEVARD fj City of Delray Beach Memo To: City Commission From: City Manager ~ cc: Date: July 14, 2006 Re: Request from Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Under Public Comments on Nonagenda Items on June 6, 2006, Mr. Rand Hoch, on behalf of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, presented the City with two requests. (1) He requested that the City amend its equal opportunity policies to add the following protected classes: familial status, marital status and sexual orientation. (2) He also requested that City policies be amended to provide family benefits; such as health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, long term disability insurance, sick leave, family medical leave, bereavement leave and employee assistance program benefits; to domestic partners in the same manner and at the same cost as the City provides to employees who are married (1) The City's existing administrative policies concerning harassment and affinnative action include marital status and family status, therefore the only additional protected class being requested is sexual orientation. The City already has in place various rules to protect employees from discrimination on any basis unrelated to their ability to perfonn their job. Our rules of behavior list various offenses as the basis for discipline including, 'Threatening, intimidating, coercing or interfering with fellow employees or supervision at any time, on or off duty, including abusive language." Our employee handbook states that, "The City of Delray Beach prohibits discrimination in any fonn in all aspects of its personnel policies, programs, practices and operations." The Civil Service Act for the City requires that "appointment, employment and discharge of persons in all positions in the municipality (shall be) based on merit, efficiency, character and industry." Our Personnel Policies provide that 'When an employee . . . believes that he/she has been treated unfairly or otherwise discriminated against in any non-disciplinary matter, the employee may initiate fonnal action to secure a review of the grievance. . . ." The ICMA Code of Ethics for City Managers provides that managers shall, "Handle all matters of personnel on the basis of merit so that faimess and impartiality govem a member's decisions, pertaining to appointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline." In short, I believe the City has ample protection in place for any employee or applicant who might feel they have suffered discrimination on account of their sexual orientation. If you add sexual orientation, it could be challenging to determine where to stop. For example, I understand it is well documented that both obese and short people suffer discrimination at times. Adding additional protected classes also makes management more difficult and expensive. It gives members of the protected class a basis for filing a lawsuit against the City. Most of our discrimination complaints (not that we have that many) arise when an employee is \N S,5 disciplined, and they claim the discipline is discriminatory based on their membership in a protected class. Then management is placed in the position of proving a negative - that the discipline was not based on the employee's membership in the protected class. The result is that managers are frequently very reluctant to take needed steps to deal with performance issues with protected class members. Public sector management of employee performance is challenging enough without adding additional protected classes. (2) Extending family benefits to domestic partners and their children on the same basis as we currently provide for spouses and their children devalues marriage by saying that families constructed on some other legal basis, other than marriage, are of equal social value. The following documents show that, despite the well publicized problems of marriages, they are far more stable and have much lower rates of domestic violence than other living arrangements. In addition, it is well documented that families with a mother and father in the home provide the best environment for raising children. Therefore, it is appropriate for governments to follow policies which reward and encourage marriage as opposed to domestic partner arrangements. With regard to the specific issue of providing health insurance benefits to domestic partners, I am concerned about the potential increased costs from adding this group to our coverage. We are self insured for our health insurance. It is only administered by CIGNA. Furthermore, the costs for dependent coverage are paid, .in most instances, by the employee. Thus, any increase in costs resulting from extending health insurance coverage would not be borne by an insurance company or even the City, but directly by our employees. The health risks faced by some potential members of the domestic partner group are discussed in the attached documentation. While those entities which have added this coverage report little increase in their claims cost, I suspect it is because so few people have taken advantage of the coverage. Even if the cost is small, I do not believe it would be right or fair for the City to force its employees to pay more for their dependant coverage by mandating extension of coverage to domestic partners. Going beyond these considerations, I do not see this as a Delray Beach issue. This request is from an outside agency. Since the newspaper stories on the request we have received two letters of support form local residents that I am aware of. I don't doubt that more support letters could be generated. The fact remains, however, that we have not received any complaints or requests for policy changes from our employees on these issues. I also want to point out that the Human Rights Council supplied a list of Florida public employers offering health insurance for domestic partners as of February 15, 2006. This list includes 22 employers. There are over 400 cities in Florida. By the time you add in counties, school districts, constitutional officers, colleges and special districts, there are probably close to 1,000 public employers in the state. These benefits have only been granted by a small fraction of public employers in the state. Palm Beach County has adopted an ordinance setting up a domestic partner registry and granting certain rights to registered domestic partners. A copy of that ordinance is included in your backup. I believe that ordinance takes care of the humanitarian issues related to domestic partner living arrangements. Recommendation: The City should not make any change in its equal opportunity or family benefits policies at this time. . Page 2 charge of any type. Ms. Johnson stated there is no non-residential charge for the teen center and noted that other cities have these charges. She asked why the citizens' of Delray Beach can't expect the same type of treatment and protection by our public officials. 1l.B.4. Rand Hoch. 400 North Flal!ler Drive #1402. West Palm Beach (serves on the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach County Human Ril!hts Council), stated the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council has two requests for consideration. He stated since Palm Beach County's equal employment ordinance prohibits discrimination on the basis of several protected classes including marital status, familial status, and sexual orientation, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council is asking to confirm the City's non-discrimination policy covering City employees with the County ordinance by adding sexual orientation, marital status, and familial status. He stated this change will only cover employees of the City of Delray Beach and will not cover any private employers. Mr. Hoch stated once the City of Del ray Beach makes this change then a City employee would first have to exhaust the City's internal resolution policy. The Council is also requesting the City of Delray Beach to provide all City employees with the same family benefits regardless of marital status. Last year, the County Commissioners adopted a domestic partnership ordinance providing registered domestic partners with some basic family benefits and changes in their policies so that the County employees with domestic partners could cover their families with the same health insurance available to married employees. Mr. Hoch stated other public employers offering this domestic partnership benefits locally include the Palm Beach County School District, the Sheriffs Office, the Clerk and Comptroller, the Supervisor of Elections, the Property Appraiser, the Port of Palm Beach and the cities of Lake Worth and West Palm Beach. Therefore, Mr. Hoch reiterated that the Council is asking that the City of Delray Beach provide the same family benefits to City employees with domestic partners as are provided to employees who have been married (benefits include: health insurance, sick leave, family medical leave, and bereavement leave). II.B.S. Alice Finst. 707 Place Tavant. Delrav Beach. speakinl! on behalf of the Board of Prol!ressive Residents of Delrav (P.R.O.D.). suggested that the City Commission meetings be video taped or filmed. She stated she spoke to the Assistant City Clerk in Boca Raton who stated that the City of Boca Raton started videoing their meetings in the 1980's and doing live feed in the 1990's. The programs are fed live into the City's Channel 20 and into their radio station. The City of Boca Raton broadcasts live City Commission meetings, Workshops, Planning and Zoning meetings, and Airport Commission meetings. Mayor Perlman stated the City's practice is to take the testimony this evening and have staff get back to them in a couple of weeks. With regard to Mrs. King's comments about the sewage pipe, Mayor Perlman recommends that staff ask Bob Hagel, Executive Director of the South Central Regional Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Board (SCRWTDB) to respond since he would be the most up-to-date with this issue. Mayor Perlman suggested that Mr. Hoch's issue be placed on a Workshop Agenda so that the Commission can discuss and take a look at what other municipalities are - 17 - 06/06/06 The Benefits of Marriage by: Bridget E. Maher How Marriage Benefits Children . Children living with married parents are much safer than children living with single parents, because they are less likely to.cbe aborted and less likely to' be abused or neglected. [1] . Compared to children in single-parent families, children raised in married-parent homes have better emotional and physical health[2] and engage in fewer risky behaviors, such as prem?lrital sex, substance abuse, delinquency, and suicide:[3] . Children with married parents do better academically and fare better economically. [4] . Children raised in intact homes are less likely to cohabit and more likely to view marriage positively and maintain life-long marriages. [5] How Marriage Benefits Adults . Married people have better emotional and physical health and live longer than do unmarried people.[6] . Married couples have greater incomes than do single adults, and the longer they stay married, the more wealth they accumulate.[7] Married couples enjoy greater sexual satisfaction than do unmarried people.[8] . Married women are safer than unmarried women. Never-married, cohabiting, separated, and divorced women experience higher rates of domestic violence than do married women.[9] How Marriage Benefits Society helps ensure that human life is protected and cherished, since married women are less likely to abort their children than are unmarried women.[iO] . Marriage makes homes safer places to live, because it curbs social problems such as domestic violence and child abuse.[il] !. Communities with more married-parent families are safer and more I attractive places to live, because they are less likely to have i substance abuse and crime among young people. [12] L......_.............................._......... ............--....--.......-.-.....-........--...--..--..-...-c-.-.................................................................._................... Marriage is the best antidote to poverty and welfare dependency. [13] ! I' Married p~ople are m?~e likel~ to be healthy, productive, and I engaged citizens, benefiting businesses and, ultimately, the economy. [14] END NOTES ~~~~~w.~.'_^,_,~,"_"_~W'~'q"=~~"'.~",_,'^' "."-'W~~'~"'''W^,~~~",,_^~....,,,__._~ 1. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, "Trends in Abortion in the United States, 1973-2000," January 2003 and Andrea J. Sedlak and Dinae D. Broadhurst, The Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1996, xviii, 5-19. 2. Kelly J. Kelleher, et aI., "Increasing Identification of Psychosocial Problems: 1979-1996," Pediatrics 105 (June 2000): 1313-1321 and Deborah A. Dawson, "Family Structure and Children's Health and Well-Being: Data from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey on Child Health," Journal of Marriage and the Family 53 (August 1991): 573-584. 3. John S. Sante!1i et aI., "The Association of Sexual Behaviors with Socioeconomic Status, Family Structure, and Race/Ethnicity Among U.S. Adolescents," American Journal of Public Health 90 (October 2000): 1582-1588; John P. Hoffman and Robert A. Johnson, "A National Portrait of Family Structure.and Adolescent Drug Use," Journal of Marriage and the Family 60 (August 1998): 633-645;' Patrick J. Darby et aI., "Analysis of 112 Juveniles Who Committed Homicide: Characteristics and a Closer Look at Family Abuse," Journal of Family Violence 13 (1998):365- 374; Judith Rubenstein et aI., "Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents: Stress and Protection in Different Family Contexts," American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 68 (1998): 274-284. 4. Elizabeth Thomson et aI., "Family Structure and Child Well-Being: Economic Resources vs. Parental Behaviors," Social Forces 73 (September 1994): 221-242. 5. Paul R. Amato and Danelle D. DeBoer, "The Transmission of Marital Instability Across Generations: Relationship Skills or Commitment to Marriage?" Journal of Marriage and Family 63 (November 2001): 1038-1051; Alfred DeMaris and K, Vanlnadha Rao, "Premarital Cohabitation and Subsequent Marital Stability in the United States: A Reassessment," Journal of Marriage and the Family 54 (February 1992): 178-190; Katherine Trent and Scott J. South "Sociodemographic Status, Parental Background, Childhood Family Structure, and Attitudes Toward Family Formation," Journal of Marriage and the Family 54 (May 1992): 427-439. 6. Nadine F. Marks and James D. Lambert, "Marital Status Continuity and Change Among Young and Midlife Adults," Journal of Family Issues 19 (November 1998): 652-686 and Catherine E. Ross et aI., "The Impact of the Family on Health: The Decade In Review," Journal of Marriage and the Family 52 (November 1990): 1059-1078. 7. U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2001, Table No. 666 and Linda J. Waite and Maggie Gallagher, The Case for Marriage: Why Married People Are Happier, Healthier, and Better Off Financially (New York: Doubleday, 2000) 97-123. 8. Edward O. Laumann et aI., The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States (Chicago:University of Chicago Press, 1994) p.364. 9. Sonia Miner Salarl and Bret M, Baldwin, "Verbal, Physical, and Injurious Aggression Among Intimate Couples Over Time," Journal of Family Issues 23 (May 2002): 523-550 and Bureau of Justice Statistics, Intimate Partner Violence, National Crime Victimization Survey, May 2000, 4-5, 11. 10. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, "Trends In Abortion in the United States, 1973-2000." 11. Sonia Miner Salari and Bret M. Baldwin, "Verbal, Physical, and Injurious Aggression Among Intimate Couples Over Time" and Andrea J. Sedlak and Dinae D. Broadhurst, The Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect. 12. Terrence P. Thornberry et aI., "Family Disruption and Delinquency," Juvenile Justice Bulletin, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S, Department of Justice, September 1999. 13. U.S. Census Bureau, "Historical Poverty Tables," Table 4 and June O'Neill and M. Anne Hill, "Gaining Ground? Measuring the Impact of Welfare Reform on Welfare and Work," The Manhattan Institute, Civic Report 17. 14. Corey L.M. Keyes, "The Mental Health Continuum: From Languishing to Flourishing in Life, 1/ Journal of Health and Social Behavior 43 (2002): 207-222 as cited in The Family in America New Research, October 2002. IF03J02 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles It III. EVIDENCE FROM THE SOCIAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES In the last forty years, society has conducted a vast family experiment, and the outcomes are increasingly coming to light via scientific investigations. While no single study is definitive, and there is room at the edges for debate about particular consequences of marriage, the clear preponderance of the evidence shows that intact, married families are superior-for adults and especially for children-to alternative family arrangements. A great deal of research now exists from the anthropological, sociological, psychological, and economic sciences demonstrating the empirical benefits of marriage. In virtually every known human society, the institution of marriage has served and continues to serve three important public purposes. First, marriage is the institution through which societies seek to organize the bearing and rearing of children; it is particularly important in ensuring that children have the love and support of their father. Second, marriage provides direction, order, and stability to adult sexual unions and to their economic, social, and biological consequences. Third, marriage civilizes men, furnishing them with a sense of purpose, norms, and social status that orient their lives away from vice and toward virtue.5 Marriage achieves its myriad purposes through both social and biological means that are not easily replicated by the various alternatives to marriage. When marriage is strong, children and adults both tend to flourish; when marriage breaks down, every element of society suffers. The Well-being of Children The evidence linking the health of marriage to the welfare of children is clear. During the last two decades, a large body of social scientific research has emerged indicating that children do best when reared by their mothers and fathers in a married, intact family. A recent report by Child Trends, a nonpartisan research organization, summarized the new scholarly consensus on marriage this way: "[R]esearch clearly demonstrates that family structure matters for children, and the family structure that helps children the most is a family headed by two biological parents in a low.conflict marriage.,,6 Other recent reviews of the literature on marriage and the well.being of children, conducted by the Brookings Institution, the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, the Center for Law and Social Policy, and the Institute for American Values, have all come to similar conclusions,1 Marriage matters for children in myriad ways. We focus here on the educational, psychological, sexual, and behavioral consequences for children of family structure, 15 It Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles beginning with education. Children reared in intact, married homes are significantly more likely to be involved in literacy activities (such as being read to by adults or learning to recognize letters) as preschool children, and to score higher in reading comprehension as fourth graders.8 School.aged children are approximately 30 percent less likely to' cut class, be tardy, or miss school altogether.9 The cumulative effect of family structure on children's educational performance is most evident in high school graduation rates. Children reared in intact, married households are about twice as likely to graduate from high school, compared to children reared in single-parent or step.families. One study found that 37 percent of children born outside of marriage and 31 percent of children with divorced parents dropped out of high school, compared to 13 percent of children from intact families headed by a married mother and father.lo Marriage also plays a central role in fostering the emotional health of .children. Children from stable, married families are significantly less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse, and thoughts of suicide compared to children from divorced homes.ll One recent study of the entire population of Swedish children found that Swedish boys and girls in two.parent homes were about 50 percent less likely to suffer from suicide attempts, alcohol and drug abuse, and serious psychiatric illnesses compared to children reared in single.parent homes.u A survey of the American literature on child well.being found that family structure was more consequential than poverty in predicting children's psychological and behavioral outcomes.I3 In general, children who are reared by their own married mothers and fathers are much more likely to confront the world with a sense of hope, self.confidence, and self.control than children raised without an intact, married family. Marriage is also important in connecting children to their biological fathers and grounding their familial identities. Research by Yale psychiatrist Kyle Pruett suggests that children conceived by artificial reproductive technologies (ART) and reared without fathers have an unmet "hunger for an abiding paternal presence"; his research parallels findings from the literature on divorce and single.parenthood/4 Pruett's work also suggests that children conceived by ART without known fathers have deep and disturbing questions about their biological and familial origins. These children do not know their fathers or their paternal kin, and they dislike living in a kind of biological and paternal limbo. 15 By contrast, children who are reared by their married biological parents are more likely to have a secure sense of their own biological origins and familial identity. Family structure, particularly the presence of a biological father, also plays a key role in influencing the sexual development, activity, and welfare of young girls. Teenage girls who grow up with a single mother or a stepfather are significantly more likely to experience 16 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles II early menstruation and sexual development, compared to girls reared in homes headed by a married mother and father.'6 Partly as a consequence, girls reared in single-parent or step- families are much more likely to experience a teenage pregnancy and to have a child outside of wedlock than girls who are reared in an intact, married family.'7 One study found that only 5 percent of girls who grew up in an intact family got pregnant as teenagers, compared to 10 percent of girls whose fathers left after they turned six, and 35 percent of girls whose fathers left when they were preschoolers.'s Research also suggests that girls are significantly more likely to be sexually abused if they are living outside of an intact, married home-in large part because girls have more contact with unrelated males if their mothers are unmarried, cohabiting, or residing in a stepfamily.'9 Boys also benefit in unique ways from being reared within stable, married families. Research consistently finds that boys raised by their own fathers and mothers in an intact, married family are less likely to get in trouble than boys raised in other family situations. Boys raised outside of an intact family are more likely to have problems with aggression, attention deficit disorder, delinquency, and school suspensions, compared to boys raised in intact married families.zo Some studies suggest that the negative behavioral consequences of marital breakdown are even more significant for boys than for girls. One study found that boys reared in single-parent and step-families were more than twice as likely to end up in prison, compared to boys reared in an intact family.~I Clearly, stable marriage and paternal role models are crucial for keeping boys from self-destructive and socially destructive behavior. Virtually all of the studies cited here control for socioeconomic, demographic, and even genetic factors that might otherwise distort the relationship between family structure and child well-being. So, for instance, the link between family breakdown and crime is not an artifact of poverty among single parents.2Z Moreover, the newest work on divorce follows adult twins and their children to separate out the unique effects of divorce itself from the potential role that genetic (and socioeconomic) factors might play in influencing children's outcomes. This research indicates that divorce has negative consequences for children's psychological and social welfare even after controlling for the genetic vulnerabilities of the parents who divorced.~3 Why, then, does the evidence link marriage to an impressive array of positive outcomes for children? Both social and biological mechanisms seem to account for the value of an intact marriage in children's lives. From a sociological perspective, marriage allows families to benefit from shared labor within the household, income streams from two parents, and the economic resources of two sets of kin.24 A married mom and dad typically 17 11 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles invest more time, affection, and oversight into parenting than does a single parent; as importantly, they tend to monitor and improve the parenting of one another, augmenting one another's strengths, balancing one another's weaknesses, and reducing the risk that a child will be abused or neglected by an exhausted or angry parent.~5 The trust and commitment associated with marriage also give a man and a woman a sense that they have a future together, as well as a future with their children. This horizon of commitment, in turn, motivates them to invest practically, emotionally, and financially at higher levels in their children than cohabiting or single parents.z6 Marriage is particularly important in binding fathers to their ch~ldren. For men, marriage and fatherhood are a package deal. Because the father's role is more discretionary in our society (and every known human society) than the mother's role, it depends more on the normative expectations of and social supports provided to fathers by marriage. Marriage positions men to receive the regular encouragement, direction, and advice of the mother of his children, and encourages them to pay attention to that input.~7 Not surprisingly, cohabiting fathers are less practically and emotionally invested in their children than are married fathers.z8 Nonresidential fathers see their children much less often than do married, residential fathers, and their involvement is not consistently related to positive outcomes for children.~9 By contrast, married fathers can exercise an abiding, important, and positive influence on their children, and are especially likely to do so in a happy marriage.30 Biology also matters. Studies suggest that men and women bring different strengths to the parenting enterprise, and that the biological relatedness of parents to their children has important consequences for the young, especially girls. Although there is a good deal of overlap in the talents that mothers and fathers bring to parenting, the evidence also suggests that there are crucial sex differences in parenting. Mothers are more sensitive to the cries, words, and gestures of infants, toddlers, and adolescents, and, partly as a consequence, they are better at providing physical and emotional nurture to their children.31 These special capacities of mothers seem to have deep biological underpinnings: during pregnancy and breastfeeding women experience high levels of the hormone peptide oxytocin, which fosters affiliative behaviors.3~ Fathers excel when it comes to providing discipline, ensuring safety, and challenging their children to embrace life's opportunities and confront life's difficulties. The greater physical size and strength of most fathers, along with the pitch and inflection of their voice and the directive character of their speaking, give them an advantage when it comes to discipline, an advantage that is particularly evident with boys, who are more likely to comply with their fathers' than their mothers' discipline.33 Likewise, fathers are more likely than 18 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles II mothers to encourage their children to tackle difficult tasks, endure hardship without yielding, and seek out novel experiences.34 These paternal strengths also have deep biological underpinnings: Fathers typically have higher levels of testosterone-a hormone associated with dominance and assertiveness-than do mothers.35 Although the link between nature, nurture, and sex-specific parenting talents is undoubtedly complex, one cannot ignore the overwhelming evidence of sex differences in parenting-differences that marriage builds on to the advantage of children. The biological relationship between parents and children also matters to the young. Studies suggest that biological parents invest more money and time in their offspring than do stepparents.36 New research by University of Arizona psychologist Bruce Ellis also suggests that the physical presence of a biological father is important for the sexual development of girls. Specifically, he thinks that one reason that girls who live apart from their biological father develop sexually at an earlier age than girls who live with their biological father is that they are more likely to be exposed to the pheromones-biological chemicals that convey sexual information between persons-of unrelated males. He also finds that girls who are exposed to the presence of a mother's boyfriend or a stepfather reach puberty at an earlier age than girls who are raised by unpartnered single mothers.37 There is clearly more research to be done in this area, but the data clearly suggest that one reason marriage is so valuable is that it helps to bind a child's biological parents to the child over the course of her life. Sara McLanahan and Gary Sandefur, sociologists at Princeton and Wisconsin respectively, sum up the reasons that marriage matters for children in this way: "If we were asked to design a system for making sure that children's basic needs were met, we would probably come up with something quite similar to the two-parent ideal. Such a design, in theory, would not only ensure that children had access to the time and money of two adults, it also would provide a system of checks and balances that promoted quality parenting. The fact that both parents have a biological connection to the child would increase the likelihood that the parents would identify with the child and be willing to sacrifice for that child, and it would reduce the likelihood that either parent would abuse the child."38 Over the past few decades, we have experimented with various alternatives to marriage, and the evidence is now clear: children raised in married, intact families generally do better in every area of life than those raised in various alternative family structures. Those who care about the well- being of children-as every citizen should- should care about the health of modern marriage. 19 It Marriage ana the Public Good: Ten Principles The Well-being of Adults While the most important benefits of marriage redound to children, marriage also has significant benefits for the adult men and women who enter into it. Both married men and women benefit financially, emotionally, physically, and socially from marriage. However, we must also note that there are often gender differences in the benefits of marriage, and that the benefits of marriage for women are more sensitive to the quality of marriage than are the benefits of marriage for men. The financial advantages of marriage are clear. Married men and women are more likely to accumulate wealth and to own a home than unmarried adults, even compared to similarly situated cohabiting or single adults.39 Married men earn between 10 and 40 percent more money than single men with similar professional and educational backgrounds.40 Married women generally do not experience a marriage premium in their earnings, but this is because most women combine marriage with motherhood, which tends to depress women's earnings.41 The material benefits of marriage also extend to women from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are much less likely to fall into poverty if they get and stay married.~ In general, marriage allows couples to pool resources and share labor within the household. The commitment associated with marriage provides couples with a long-term outlook that allows them to invest together in housing and other long-term assets.43 The norms of adult maturity associated with marriage encourage adults to spend and save in a more responsible fashion.44 Marriage also promotes the physical and emotional health of men and women. Married adults have longer lives, less illness, greater happiness, and lower levels of depression and substance abuse than cohabiting and single adults. Spouses are more likely to encourage their partners to monitor their health and seek medical help if they are experiencing an illness.45 The norms of adult maturity and fidelity associated with marriage encourage men and women to avoid unhealthy or risky behaviors-from promiscuous sex to heavy alcohol use.46 The increased wealth and economic stability that come from being married enable married men and women to seek better medical care.47 The emotional support furnished by most marriages reduces stress, and the stress hormones, that often cause ill health and mental illness.48 Men are particularly apt to experience marriage-related gains in their life expectancy and overall health. Women also gain, but their marriage-related health benefits depend more on the quality of their marriages: women in low-quality marriages are more likely to experience health problems and psychological distress than single women, while good marriages give women an important psychological and physical boost.49 Marriage also plays a crucial role in civilizing men. Married men are less likely to commit a crime, to be sexually promiscuous or unfaithful to a longtime partner, or to drink 20 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles i1 to excess.5o They also attend church more often, spend more time with kin (and less time with friends), and work longer hours. 5' One study, for instance, showed that only four percent of married men had been unfaithful in the past year-compared to 16 percent of cohabiting men and 37 percent of men in an ongoing sexual relationship with a woman.5z Longitudinal research by University of Virginia sociologist Steven Nock suggests that these effects are not an artifact of selection but rather a direct consequence of marriage. Nock tracked men over time as they transitioned from singlehood to marriage and found that men's behaviors actually changed in the wake of a marriage: after tying the knot, men worked harder, attended fewer bars, increased their church attendance, and spent more time with family members.53 For many men, marriage is a rite of passage that introduces them fully into an adult world of responsibility and self.control. But why does marriage play such a crucial role in civilizing men-in making them harder workers, more faithful mates, and more peaceable citizens? Part of the answer is sociological. The norms of trust, fidelity, sacrifice, and providership associated with marriage give men clear directions about how they should act toward their wives and children-norms that are not clearly applicable to non.marital relationships. A married man also gains status in the eyes of his wife, her family, their friends, and the larger community when they signal their intentions and their maturity by marrying. 54 Most men seek to maintain their social status by abiding by society's norms; a society that honors marriage will produce men who honor their wives and care for their children. Biology also matters. Research on men, marriage, and testosterone finds that married men-especially married men with children-have more modest levels of testosterone than do single men. (Cohabiting men also have lower levels of testosterone than single men.) Long-term, stable, procreative relationships moderate men's testosterone levels.55 Judging by the literature on testosterone, this would-in turn-make men less inclined to aggressive, promiscuous, and otherwise risky behavior.56 Of course, marriage also matters in unique ways for women. When it comes to physical safety, married women are much less likely to be victims of violent crimes. For instance, a 1994 Justice Department report found that single and divorced women were more than four times more likely to be the victims of a violent crime, compared to married women.57 Married women are also much less likely to be victimized by a partner than women in a cohabiting or sexually intimate dating relationship. One study found that 13 percent of cohabiting couples had arguments that got violent in the past year, compared to 4 percent of married couples. 58 Studies suggest that one reason women in nonmarital relationships are more likely to be victin:ized is that these relationships have higher rates of infidelity, and 21 L\1 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles infidelity invites serious conflict between partners.59 For most women, therefore, marriage is a safe harbor. It is not just marital status but the very ideal of marriage that matters. Married persons who value marriage for its own sake-who oppose cohabitation, who think that marriage is for life, and who believe that it is best for children to be reared by a father and a mother as husband and wife-are significantly more likely to experience high~quality marriages, compared to married persons who are less committed to the institution of marriage.6o Men and women with a normative commitment to the ideal of marriage are also more likely to spend time with one another and to sacrifice for their relationship.61 Other research indicates that such a commitment is particularly consequential for men: that is, men's devotion to their wife depends more on their normative commitment to the marriage ideal than does women's devotion to their husbands.6z Simply put, men and women who marry for life are more likely to experience a happy marriage than men and women who marry "so long as they both shall love." What is clear is that marriage improves the lives of those men and women who accept its obligations, especially those who seek the economic, emotional, and health benefits of modern life. Perhaps some modern men do not believe they need to be domesticated or do not wish to be burdened with the duties of child-rearing; and perhaps some modern women do not believe they need the security that a good marriage uniquely offers or fear that family life will interfere with their careers. But the data suggest that such desires can sometimes lead men and women astray, and that those who embrace marriage live happier lives than those who seek a false freedom in bachelorhood, cohabitation, or divorce. The Public Consequences of Marital Breakdown The public consequences of the recent retreat from marriage are substantial. As the evidence shows, marital breakdown reduces the collective welfare of our children, strains our justice system, weakens civil society, and increases the size and scope of governmental power. The numbers are indeed staggering. Every year in the United States, more than one million children see their parents divorce and 1.5 million children are born to unmarried mothers. The collective consequences of this family breakdown have been catastrophic, as demonstrated by myriad indicators of social well-being. Take child poverty. One recent Brookings survey indicates that the increase in child poverty in the U.S. since the 1970S is due almost entirely to declines in the percentage of children reared in married families, primarily because children in single-parent homes are much less likely to receive much material support from their fathers.63 22 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles II Or take adolescent well~being. Penn State sociologist Paul Amato estimated how adolescents would fare if our society had the same percentage of two~parent biological families as it did in 1960. His research indicates that this nation's adolescents would have 1.2 million fewer school suspensions, I million fewer acts of delinquency or violence, 746,587 fewer repeated grades, and 71,413 fewer suicides.64 Similar estimates could be done for the collective effect of family breakdown on teen pregnancy, depression, and high school dropout rates. The bottom line is this: children have paid a heavy price for adult failures to get and stay married. Public safety and our justice system have also been affected by the retreat from marriage. Even though crime rates have fallen in recent years, the percentage of the population in jail has continued to rise-from .9 percent of the population in 1980 to 2.4 percent in 2003, which amounts to more than 2 million men and women.65 Public expenditures on criminal justice-police, courts, and prisons-rose more than 350 percent in the last 20 years, from $36 billion in 1982 to $167 billion in 2001.66 Empirical research on family and crime strongly suggests that crime is driven in part by the breakdown of marriage. George Akerlof, a Nobel laureate in economics, argues that the crime increase in the 1970S and 1980s was linked to declines in the marriage rate among young working~class and poor men.67 Harvard sociologist Robert Sampson concludes from his research on urban crime that murder and robbery rates are closely linked to family structure. In his words: "Family structure is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, predictor of variations in urban violence across cities in the United States.,,68 The close empirical connection between family breakdown and crime suggests that increased spending on crime~fighting, imprisonment, and criminal justice in the United States over the last 40 years is largely the direct or indirect consequence of marital breakdown. Public spending on social services has also risen dramatically since the 1960s, in large part because of increases in divorce and illegitimacy. Estimates vary regarding the costs to the taxpayer of family breakdown, but they clearly run into the many billions of dollars. One Brookings study found that the retreat from marriage was associated with an increase of $229 billion in welfare expenditures from 1970 to 1996.69 Another study found that local, state, and federal governments spend $33 billion per year on the direct and indirect costs of divorce- from family court costs to child support enforcement to T ANF and Medicaid.7O Increases in divorce also mean that family judges and child support enforcement agencies playa deeply intrusive role in the lives of adults and children affected by divorce, setting the terms for custody, child visitation, and child support for more than a million adults and children every 23 at Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Priru:iples year. Clearly, when the family fails to govern itself, government steps in to pic,k up the pieces. The link between the size and scope of the state and the health of marriage as an institution is made even more visible by looking at trends outside the United States. Countries with high rates of illegitimacy and divorce-such as Sweden and Denmark-spend much more money on welfare expenditures, as a percentage of their GDP, than countries with relatively low rates of illegitimacy and divorce-such as Spain and ]apan.7I Although there has been no definitive comparative research on state expenditures and family structure, and other factors-such as religion and political culture-may confound this relationship, the correlation between the two is suggestive. Of course, we also suspect that the relationship between state size and family breakdown runs both ways. For instance, earlier research on Scandinavian countries by sociologists David Popenoe and Alan Wolfe suggests that increases in state spending are associated with declines in the strength of marriage and family.7~ Taken together, the retreat from marriage seems to go hand in hand with more expensive and more intrusive government; family breakdown goes hand in hand with growing hardship in disadvantaged communities, making the call for still more government intervention even more irresistible. It is a pathological spiral, one that only a restoration of marriage can hope to reverse. Four Threats to Marriage Until forty years ago, marriage governed sex, procreation, and childrearing for the vast majority of adults. In recent years, marriage's hold on these three domains of social life has weakened, with serious negative consequences for society as a whole. Four developments-the sad effect of decoupling marriage, sex, procreation, and childbearing-are especially troubling: divorce, illegitimacy, cohabitation, and same-sex marriage. Divorce. From 1960 to 2.000, the divorce rate more than doubled in the United States- from about 2.0 percent to about 45 percent of all first marriages. (Note: the divorce rate has declined modestly since 1980.) The data suggests that approximately two-thirds of all divorces involving children break up low-conflict marriages where domestic violence or emotional abuse is not a factor in the divorce.73 Unfortunately, these children seem to bear the heaviest burden from the divorce of their parents,14 Children from broken homes are significantly more likely to divorce as adults, to experience marital problems, to suffer from mental illness and delinquency, to drop out of high school, to have poor relationships with one or both parents, and to have difficulty committing themselves to a relationship. 75 Furthermore, in most respects, remarriage is no help to children of divorce. Children who grow up in stepfamilies experience about the same levels of educational failure, teenage 24 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles It pregnancy, and criminal activity as children who remain in a single~parent family after a divorce.76 Divorce is also associated with poverty, depression, substance abuse, and poor health among adults.77 More broadly, widespread divorce poisons the larger culture of marriage, insofar as it sows distrust, insecurity, and a low~commitment mentality among married and unmarried adults.78 Couples who take a permissive view of divorce are significantly less likely to invest themselves in their marriages and less likely to be happily married themselves.79 For all these reasons, divorce threatens marriage, hurts children, and has had dire consequences for the nation as a whole. Illegitimacy (non~marital child bearing). From 1960 to 2.003, the percentage of children born out of wedlock rose from 5 to 35 percent.80 Although growing numbers of children born out of wedlock are born into cohabiting unions-42. percent according to one recent estimate-most children born outside of marriage will spend the majority of their childhood in a single parent home, in part because the vast majority of cohabiting unions-even ones involving children-end in dissolution.81 The biggest problem with illegitimacy is that it typically denies children the opportunity to have two parents who are committed daily to their emotional and material welfare.8:>. As noted above, children raised in single~parent families without the benefit of a married mother and father are two to three times more likely to experience serious negative life outcomes such as imprisonment, depression, teenage pregnancy, and high school failure, compared to children from intact, married families-even after controlling for socioeconomic factors that might distort the relationship between family structure and child well~being.83 Nonmarital childbearing also has negative consequences for men and women. Women who bear children outside of marriage are significantly more likely to experience poverty, to drop out of high school, and to have difficulty finding a good marriage partner, even when compared to women from similar socioeconomic backgrounds.84 Men who father children outside of marriage are significantly more likely to experience educational failure, to earn less, and to have difficulty finding a good marriage partner, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors.85 Taken together, the rise of illegitimacy has been disastrous for children and adults, men and women, individuals and society. Cohabitation. Since the early 1970s, cohabitation has increased more than nine*fold in the United States, from 52.3,000 couples in 1970 to five million couples in 2.004.86 Recent estimates suggest that 40 percent of children will spend some time growing up with one or both parents in a cohabiting union.87 The growth of cohabitation in the U.S. is an unwelcome development. Adults in cohabiting unions face higher rates of domestic violence, sexual 2S It Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles infidelity, and instability, compared to couples in marital unions.88 Most studies find that cohabiting couples who go on to marry also face a higher risk of divorce, compared to couples who marry without cohabiting (although the risk of divorce for couples who only cohabit after an engagement does not appear to be higher than for married couples who did not cohabit).89 Cohabiting unions are typically weaker than marriages, and appear more likely to lead to poor relationship outcomes. Cohabitation does not entail the same level of moral and legal commitment as marriage; couples often do not agree about the status of their relationship; and cohabiting couples do not receive as much social support from friends and family for their relationship as do married couples.90 Cohabiting unions are particularly risky for children. Children reared by cohabiting couples are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior, to be suspended from school, and to cheat in school, compared to children reared by a married mother and father.91 Children cohabiting with an unrelated adult male face dramatically higher risks of sexual or physical abuse, compared to children in intact, married families. For instance, one Missouri study found that preschool children living in households with unrelated adults (typically a mother's boyfriend) were nearly 50 times more likely to be killed than were children living with both biological parents.92 Children also suffer from the instability associated with cohabiting unions. Even when children are born into cohabiting households headed by both their biological parents, they are likely to see one of their parents depart from the relationship. One recent study found that 50 percent of children born to cohabiting couples see their parents break up by their fifth year, compared to just 15 percent of children born to a marital union.93 For all these reasons, cohabiting unions are not a good alternative to marriage but a threat to marriage, and they surely do not provide a good environment for the rearing of children. Same-Sex Marriage. Although the social scientific research on same~sex marriage is in its infancy, there are a number of reasons to be concerned about the consequences of redefining marriage to include same-sex relationships. First, no one can definitively say at this point how children are affected by being reared by same-sex couples. The current research on children reared by same~sex couples is inconclusive and underdeveloped-we do not yet have any large, long~term, longitudinal studies that can tell us much about how children are affected by being raised in a same~sex household.94 Yet the larger empirical literature on child well-being suggests that the two sexes bring different talents to the parenting enterprise, and that children benefit from growing up with both their biological parents. This strongly suggests that children reared by same-sex parents will experience 26 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles 11 greater difficulties with their identity, sexuality, attachments to kin, and marital prospects as adults, among other things. But until more research is available, the jury is still out. Yet there remain even deeper concerns about the institutional consequences of same- sex marriage for marriage itself. Same-sex marriage would further undercut the idea that procreation is intrinsically connected to marriage. It would undermine the idea that children need both a mother and a father, further weakening the societal norm that men should take responsibility for the children they beget. Finally, same-sex marriage would likely corrode marital norms of sexual fidelity, since gay marriage advocates and gay couples tend to downplay the importance of sexual fidelity in their definition of marriage. Surveys of men entering same-sex civil unions in Vermont indicate that 50 percent of them do not value sexual fidelity, and rates of sexual promiscuity are high among gay men.95 For instance, Judith Stacey, professor of so~iology at New York University and a leading advocate of gay marriage, hopes that same-sex marriage will promote a "pluralist expansion of the meaning, practice, and politics of family life in the United States" where "perhaps some might dare to question the dyadic limitations of Western marriage and seek some of the benefits of extended family life through small group marriages...,,96 Our concerns are only reinforced by the legalization of same-sex marriage in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain-and its legalization in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Same-sex marriage has taken hold in societies or regions with low rates of marriage and/or fertility.97 For instance, Belgium, Canada, Massachusetts, the Netherlands, and Spain all have fertility rates well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.98 These are societies in which child-centered marriage has ceased to be the organizing principle of adult life. Seen in this light, same-sex marriage is both a consequence of and further stimulus to the abolition of marriage as the preferred vehicle for ordering sex, procreation, and childrearing in the West. While there are surely many unknowns, what we do know suggests that embracing same-sex marriage would further weaken marriage itself at the very moment when it needs to be most strengthened. 27 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles it NOTES 1 Steven L. Node. 2005. "Marriage as a Public Issue." The Future of ChildrenI5: 13~32. · W. Bradford Wilcox et al. 2005. Why Marriage Matters, Second Edition: Twenty~Six Conclusions from the Social Sciences. New York: Institute for American Values. Lorraine Blackman, Obie Clayton, Norval Glenn, Linda Malone-Colon, and Alex Roberts. 2005. The Consequences of Marriage for African Americans: A Comprehensive Literature Review. New York: Institute for American Values. 3 David Popenoe. 1988. Disturbing the Nest: Family Change and Decline in Modern Societies. Aldine de Gruyter. Alan Wolfe. 1989. Whose Keeper? Social Science and Moral Oblii!ation. Berkeley: University of California Press. <I http://www.law2.byu.edu/marria~e family/Charles%20Reid.pdf. W. Bradford Wilcox and Steven L. Nock. 2006. "What's Love Got to Do with It? Ideology, Equity, Gender, and Women's Marital Happiness." Social Forces 84: 1321-1345. Vaughn R.A. Call and Tim B. Heaton. 1997. "Religious Influence on Marital Stability." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 36: 382-392. S W. Bradford Wilcox et al. 2005. 6 Kristin Anderson Moore, Susan M.Jekielek, and Carol Emig, 2002. "Marriage from a Child's Perspective: How Does Family Structure Affect Children, and What Can be Done about It?" Research Brief, June 2002. Washington, DC: Child Trends. p. 6. 7 For summaries from Brookings and Princeton, see Sara McLanahan, Elisabeth Donahue, and Ron Haskins. 2005. "Introducing the Issue." The Future of Children 15: 3-12. For the Center for Law and Social Policy's statement, see Mary Parke. 2003. Are Married Parents Really Better for Children? Washington, DC: Center for Law and Social Policy. For the Institute for American Values' statement, see Wilcox et al. 2005. 8 Elizabeth Marquardt. 2005a. Family Structure and Children's Educational Outcomes. New York: Institute for American Values. 9 Ibid. 10 Sara McLanahan and Gary Sandefur. 1994. Growing Up with a Single Parent. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. n Wilcox et al. 2005. Elizabeth Marquardt. 2005b. Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce. New York: Crown. .. Gunilla Ringback Weitoft, Anders Hjern, Bengt Haglund, and Mans Rosen. 2003. "Mortality, Severe Morbidity, and Injury in Children Living with Single Parents in Sweden: A Population-Based Study." The Lancet 361: 289-295. 13 Sara McLanahan. 1997. "Parent Absence or Poverty: Which Matters More?" In G. Duncan and J. Brooks- Gunn, Consequences of Growing Up Poor. New York: Russell Sage. LI Kyle Pruett. 2000. Fatherneed. New York: Broadway. P. 207. See also Marquardt. 2005b and David Popenoe. 1996. Life Without Father. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. IS Pruett. 2000. Pp. 204-208. I6 Bruce Ellis. 2002. "Timing of Pubertal Maturation in Girls: An Integrated Life History Approach." Psychology Bulletin 130: 920-958. I7 McLanahan and Sandefur. 1994. Bruce Ellis et al. 2003. "Does Father Absence Place Daughters at Special Risk for Early Sexual Activity and Teenage Pregnancy?" Child Development 74: 801-821. I8 Ellis et al. 2003. 19 Wilcox et al. 2005. ao Marquardt. 2005a. Paul Amato. 2005. "The Impact of Family Formation Change on the Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Well-Being of the Next Generation." The Future of Children 15: 75-96. as Cynthia Harper and Sara McLanahan. 2004. "Father Absence and Youth Incarceration." Journal of Research on Adolescence 14: 369-397. .. Harper and McLanahan. 2004. '3 Brian D'Onofrio et al. 2006. "A Genetically Informed Study of the Processes Underlying the Association between Parental Marital Instability and Offspring Adjustment." Developmental Psychology. Forthcoming. +3 II Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles Brian D'Onofrio et al. 1.005. "A Genetically Informed Study of Marital Instability and Its Association With Offspring Psychopathology." Journal of Abnormal Psychology. II4: 570-586. 24 Wilcox et al. 1.005. McLanahan and Sandefur. 1994. '5 Wilcox et al. 1.005. Popenoe. 1996. a6 Sandra Hofferth and Kermyt Anderson. 1.003. "Are All Dads Equal? Biology Versus Marriage as a Basis for Paternal Involvement." Journal of Marriage and Family 65: 1.13-1.31.. Wilcox et al. 1.005. '7 Ross Parke. 1996. Fatherhood. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. p.IOI. as Hofferth and Anderson. 1.003. '9 Valarie King and Holly Heard. 1999. "Nonresident Father Visitation, Parental Conflict, and Mother's Satisfaction: What's Best for Child Well-Being?" Journal of Marriage and the Family 61: 385-396. Elaine Sorenson and Chava Zibman.1.ooo. To What Extent Do Children Benefitfrom Child Support? Washington, DC: The Urban Institute. 30 Paul Amato. 1998. "More Than Money? Men's Contributions to Their Children's Lives." In Alan Booth and A.C. Crouter, (Eds.), Men in Families: When Do They Get Involved? What Difference Does It Make? Mahwah, N]: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Belsky,]., Youngblade L., Rovine, M., & Volling, B. 1991. Patterns of Marital Change and Parent-Child Interaction.Journal of Marriage and the Family 53: 487-498. Wilcox et al. 1.005. 3' Eleanor Maccoby. 1998. The Two Sexes: Growing Up Apart, Coming Together. Cambridge: Harvard University. 3' David Geary. 1998. Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Differences. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. P. 104. 33 Wade Horn and Tom Sylvester. 1.001.. Father Facts. Gaithersburg, MD: National Fatherhood Initiative. P. 153. Popenoe. 1996. P. 145. Thomas G. Powers et al.1994. "Compliance and Self-Assertion: Young Children's Responses to Mothers Versus Fathers." Developmental Psychology 30: 980-989. 34 Pruett. 2.000. Pp. 30-31. Popenoe. 1996. Pp. 144-145. 35 Geary. 1998. P. 141.. )6 Anne Case et al. 1.000. "How Hungry is the Selfish Gene?" Economic Journal IIO: 781-804. Wilcox et al, 1.005. 37 Bruce Ellis. 1.001.. "Of Fathers and Pheromones: Implications of Cohabitation for Daughters' Pubertal Timing." In A. Booth and A. Crouter (eds.) Just Living Together: Implications of Cohabitation on Families, Children, and Social Policy. Mahwah, NY: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 38 McLanahan and Sandefur. 1994. p. 38, (emphasis supplied). 39 Wilcox et al. 1.005. 40 Wilcox et al. 2.005. 4' Michelle]. Budig and Paula England. 1.001. "The Wage Penalty for Motherhood." American Sociological Review 66: 1.04-2.1.5. 4' Wilcox et al. 2.005. 43 Waite and Gallagher. 1.000. 44 Ibid. 45 Ibid. 46 Ibid. 47 Ibid. 4B Ibid. 49 Wilcox et al. 1.005. Daniel N. Hawkins and Alan Booth. 2.005. "Unhappily Ever After: Effects of Long-Term Low-Quality Marriages on Well-Being." Social Forces 84: 451-471.. 50 George Akerlof et al. Nock. 1998. Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher. 1.000. The Case for Marriage. New York: Doubleday. 51 Nock. 1998. sa Waite and Gallagher. 1.000. 53 Nock. 1998. 54 Nock. 1998. 55 Wilcox et at 1.005. 56 James Dabbs. 1.000. Heroes, Rogues, and Lovers: Testosterone and Behavior. New York: McGraw-Hill. 57 Waite and Gallagher. 1.000. p. 152.. 44 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles II 58 Waite and Gallagher. P. 155. 59 Ibid. 60 Wilcox and Nock. 2006. 6. Ibid. Paul Amato and Stacy Rogers. 1999. "Do Attitudes Toward Divorce Affect Marital Quality?"Journal of Family Issues 20: 69-86. 6. Scott Stanley et al. ~004. "Maybe I do: Interpersonal commitment and premarital or nonmarital cohabitation." Journal of Family Issues ~5: 496-519. Wilcox et al. 2005. 63 Adam Thomas and Isabel Sawhill. 2005. "For Love and Money? The Impact of Family Structure on Family Income." The Future of Children 15: 57-74. 6~ Amato. 2005. p. 89. 65 Charles Murray. 2005. "The Hallmark of the Underclass." Wall StreetJournal Sept. 29: A18. 66 http://www.oip.usdoi.t):ov/bis/glance/tables/exptyptab.htm 67George A. Akerlof. 1998. "Men Without Children." The EconomicJournal108: 287-309. 68 Robert]. Sampson. 1995. "Unemployment and Imbalanced Sex Ratios: Race Specific Consequences for Family Structure and Crime." In M.B. Tucker and C. Mitchell-Kernan (eds.). The Decline in Marriage among African Americans. New York: Russell Sage. P. 249. 69 Isabel V. Sawhill. 1999. "Families at Risk." In H. Aaron and R. Reischauer, Setting National Priopities: the 2000 Election and Beyond. Washington: Brookings Institution. 70 David Schramm. 2003. Preliminary Estimates of the Economic Consequences of Divorce. Utah State Univer~ity. 7' For family trends, see Timothy M. Smeeding, Daniel P. Moynihan, and Lee Rainwater. 2004. "The Challenge of Family System Changes for Research and Policy." In D.P. Moynihan, T. M. Smeding, and L. Rainwater (eds.), The Future of the Family. New York: Russell Sage. For information on state spending around the globe, see http://www .cia.gov / cia/ ~u blica tions/factbook/. .". Popenoe. 1988. Wolfe. 1989. 73 Paul Amato and Alan Booth. 1997. A Generation at Risk. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 7~ Ibid. 75 Wilcox et al. 2005. Marquardt. 2005b. Between Two Worlds. 76 Wilcox et al. 2005. Sara McLanahan and Gary ~ndefur. 1994. Erowing Up With a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 77 Ibid. 78 Norval Glenn. 1996. "Values, Attitudes, and the State of American Marriages." In Promises to Keep, edited by D. Popenoe,]. Elshtain, and D. Blankenhorn. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield. Frank Furstenberg. 2001. "The Fading Dream: Prospects for Marriage in the Inner City." In Problem of the Century, edited by E. Anderson and D. Massey. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. 79 Wilcox et al. 2005. 80 David Popenoe and Barbara Dafoe Whitehead. 2005. The State of Our Unions. New Brunswick, N]: National Marriage Project. 8. Timothy M. Smeeding, Daniel P. Moynihan, and Lee Rainwater. 2004. "The Challenge of Family System Changes for Research and Policy." In The Future of the Family, edited by D. Moynihan, T. Smeeding, and L. Rainwater. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. Popenoe and Whitehead. 2005. Wilcox et al. 2005. 8. Wilcox et al. 2005. 83 Wilcox et al. 2005. l4 Daniel Lichter. Daniel T. Lichter, Deborah Roempke Graefe, and]. Brian Brown. 2003. "Is Marriage a Panacea? Union Formation Among Economically Disadvantaged Unwed Mothers," Social Problems 50: 60-86. Daniel T. Lichter, Christie D. Batson, and]. Brian Brown. 2004. "Welfare Reform and Marriage Promotion: The Marital Expectations and Desires of Single and Cohabiting Mothers." Social Service Review 38: 2-25. Lawrence L. Wu and Barbara Wolfe. 2001. Out of Wedlock: Causes and Consequences of Non marital Fertility. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. 85 Steven L. Nock.1998. "The Consequences of Premarital Fatherhood," American Sociological Review, 63: 250-263. 86 Popenoe and Whitehead. 2005. 87 Larry Bumpass and Hsien-Hen Lu. 2000. "Trends in Cohabitation and Implications for Children's Family Contexts in the U.S.," Population Studies 54: 29-41. 4-5 11 Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles 88 Wilcox et al. zoo5. 89 David Popenoe and Barbara Dafoe Whitehead. zooz. Should We Live Together? What Young Adults Need to Know About Cohabitation Before Marriage: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Research. New Brunswick, NJ: National Marriage Project. 9<> Popenoe and Whitehead. :zooz. Wilcox et al. Z005. 91 Wilcox et al. zoo5. 9> Patricia G. Schnitzer and Bernard G. Ewigman. Z005. "Child Deaths Resulting from Inflicted Injuries: Household Risk Factors and Perpetrator Characteristics." Pediatrics II6: 687-693. 9' Wendy Manning, Pamela Smock, Debarum Majumdar. Z004. "The Relative Stability of Cohabiting and Marital Unions for Children." Population Research and Policy Review Z3: 135-159. 94 Steven Nock. ZOOI. Affidavit to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice regarding Halpern et al. v. Canada. Charlottesville, V A: University of Virginia Sociology Department. William Meezan and Jonathan Rauch. Z005. "Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and America's Children." Future of Children 15: 97-II5. 95 Esther Rothblum and Sondra Solomon. Z003. Civil Unions in the State of Vermont: A Report on the First Year. University of Vermont Department of Psychology. David McWhirter and Andrew Mattison. 1984. The Male Couple. Prentice Hall. Andrew Sullivan. 1995. Virtually Normal. New York: Knopf, first edition. 96 Judith Stacey. 1998. "Gay and Lesbian Families: Queer Like Us." In All Our Families: New Policies for a New Century, edited by M.A. Mason, A. Skolnick, and S.D. Sugarman. New York: Oxford University Press. Pp. II7, lz8-IZ9. 97 Council of Europe. Z004. Recent Demographic Developments in Europe. Strasbourg: Council of Europe Publishing. Daniel P. Moynihan, Timothy M. Smeeding, and Lee Rainwater. zoo4. The Future of the Family. New York: Russell Sage Press. 98 Council of Europe. Z004. http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/o.i07I2Ido.i07Iza.htm. http:// www.census.gov/population/projections/MethTahI.xIs. 99 Joseph Raz, The Morality of Freedom (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986) 16z. 100 http://www .americanvalues.org/ pdfs/ marriagemovement.pdf 101 Adam Carasso and C. Eugene Steuerle. Z005. "The Hefty Penalty on Marriage Facing Many Households with Children." Future of Children 15: 157-175. 10' Sara McLanahan, Elisabeth Donahue, and Ron Haskins. Z005. "Introducing the Issue." The Future of Children 15: 3-1Z. +6 Gay Lesbian Medical Association - Ten Things For Gay Men Page lof3 Find a Provider I Join/Renew I Doni Home About GLM!\ Mem!J!'~rship for Patients For Providers 8< Researchers Advocacy Get Involved Nel Members Only 0 Find a Provider TEN THINGS GAY MEN SHOULD DISCUSS WITH 1 HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS About GLMA Membership For Patients For Providers & Researchers Advocacy Get Involved Newsroom Related Inforr Following are the health issues GLMA's healthcare providers have identified as most commonly of concern for gay men. While not all of these items apply to everyone, it's wise to be aware of these issues. Find out more about Support GLMA with a Site Search 1. HIV / AIDS, Safe Sex That men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of HIV infection is well known, but the effectiveness of safe sex in reducing the rate of HIV infection is one of the gay community's great success stories. However, the last few years have seen the return of many unsafe sex practices. While effective HIV treatments may be on the horizon, there is no substitute for preventing infection. Safe sex is proven to reduce the risk of receiving or transmitting HIV. All health care professionals should be aware of how to counsel and support maintenance of safe sex practices. 2. Substance Use Gay men use substances at a higher rate than the general population, and not just in larger communities such as New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, These include a number of substances ranging from amyl nitrate ("poppers"), to marijuana, Ecstasy, and amphetamines. The long-term effects of many of these substances are unknown; however current wisdom suggests potentially serious consequences as we age. 3. Depression/Anxiety Depression and anxiety appear to affect gay men at a higher rate than in the general population, The likelihood of depression or anxiety may be greater, and the problem may be more severe for those men who remain in the closet or who do not have adequate social supports. Adolescents and young adults may be at particularly high risk of suicide because of these concerns. Culturally sensitive mental health services targeted specifically at gay men may be more effective in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of these conditions. 4. Hepatitis Immunization Men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of sexually transmitted infection with the viruses that cause the serious condition of the liver known as hepatitis. These infections can be potentially fatal, and can lead to very serious long-term issues such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Fortunately, immunizations are available to prevent two of the three most serious viruses. Universal immunization for Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis 6 Virus is recommended for all men who have sex with men. Safe sex is effective at reducing the risk of viral hepatitis, and is currently the only means of prevention for the very serious Hepatitis C Virus. S.STDs Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur in sexually active gay men at a high rate. This includes STD infections for which effective treatment is available (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, pubiC lice, and others), and for which no cure is available (HIV, Hepatitis A, 6, http://www .glma.org/index.cfm ?fuseacti on= Page. view Page& pageID=690 7/1112006 Gay Lesbian Medical Association - Ten Things For Gay Men Page 2 of3 or C virus, Human Papilloma Virus, etc.), There is absolutely no doubt that safe sex reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and prevention of these infections through safe sex is key. 6. Prostate, Testicular, and Colon Cancer Gay men may be at risk for death by prostate, testicular, or colon cancer. Screening for these cancers occurs at different times across the life cycle, and access to screening services may be negatively impacted because of issues and challenges in receiving culturally sensitive care for gay men. All gay men should undergo these screenings routinely as recommended for the general population. 7. Alcohol Although more recent studies have improved our understanding of alcohol use in the gay community, it is still thought that gay men have higher rates of alcohol dependence and abuse than straight men. One drink daily may not adversely affect health, however alcohol-related illnesses can occur with low levels of consumption. Culturally sensitive services targeted to gay men are important in successful prevention and treatment programs. 8. Tobacco Recent studies seem to support the notion that gay men use tobacco at much higher rates than straight men, reaching nearly 50 percent in several studies. Tobacco-related health problems include lung disease and lung cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and a whole host of other serious problems. All gay men should be screened for and offered culturally sensitive prevention and cessation programs for tobacco use. 9. Fitness (Diet and Exercise) Problems with body image are more common among gay men than their straight counterparts, and gay men are much more likely to experience an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, While regular exercise is very good for cardiovascular health and in other areas, too much of a good thing can be harmful. The use of substances such as anabolic steroids and certain supplements can adversely affect health. At the opposite end of the spectrum, overweight and obesity are problems that also affect a large subset of the gay community. This can cause a number of health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. 10. Anal Papilloma Of all the sexually transmitted infections gay men are at risk for, human papilloma virus -which cause anal and genital warts - is often thought to be little more than an unsightly inconvenience. However, these infections may playa role in the increased rates of anal cancers in gay men. Some health professionals now recommend routine screening with anal Pap Smears, similar to the test done for women to detect early cancers. Safe sex should be emphasized. Treatments for HPV do exist, but recurrences of the warts are very common, and the rate at which the infection can be spread between partners is very high. Author: Vincent M, B. Silenzio, MD, MPH, Former Member Board of Directors, GLMA and Former Co-Editor, Journal of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association Home About GLMA Membership For Patients Newsroom For Providers & Researchers Advocacy Get Involved rc:;;;; rved, Login http://www .glma. org/index. cfm ?fuseaction= Page. view Page&pageID=690 7/11/2006 HEALTH RISKS Even those ~omosexual relationships that are loosely termed "monogamous" do not necessarily result in healthier behavior. The evidence indicates that homosexual and lesbian relationships are at far greater risk for contracting life-threatening disease compared with married couples: . The journal AIDS reported that men involved in relationsh!ps engaged in anal intercourse and oral-anal intercourse with greater frequency than did those without a steady partner.[39] Anal intercourse has been linked with a host of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. . The exclusivity'of the relationship did not diminish the incidence of unhealthy sexual acts, which are commonplace among homosexuals. An English study published in the same issue of AIDS concurred, finding that most "unsafe" sex acts among homosexualsoccur in steady relationships. [40] . A study of steady and casual male homosexual relationships in Amsterdam found that "steady partners contribute to (HlV) incidence more than casual partners. This can mainly be explained by the fact that risky behavior with steady partners is much greater than that with casual partners (30 versus 1.S UAI [unprotected anal intercourse] acts annually)."[41] . These findings confirmed an earlier study by the Dutch Department of Health and Environment, which found that 67 percent of HIV-positive men aged 30 and younger had been infected by a steady partner. The study concluded: "In recent years, young gay men have become more likely to contract HIV from a steady sexual partner than from a casual one."[42] "Exclusive" lesbian Relationships Also at Risk The assumption that lesbians involved in exclusive sexual relationships are at reduced risk for sexual disease is false: . . The journal Sexually Transmitted Infections concludes: "The risk behavior profile of exclusive WSW (women who have sex with women) was similar to all wsw."[43] One reason for this is because lesbians "were significantly more likely to report past sexual contact with a homosexual or bisexual man and sexual contact with an IOU (intravenous drug user) ."[ 44] Greater Risk for Suicide Homosexual and lesbian relationships experience a far greater rate of mental health problems compared to married couples. . A twins study that examined the relationship between homosexuality and suicide, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry~ found that homosexuals with same- sex partners were at greater risk for overall mental health problems and were 6.5 times more likely than their twins to have attempted suicide. The higher rate was not attributable to mental health or substance abuse disorders.[45] INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE Lesbian and Homosexual Relationships Research indicates very high levels of violence in homosexual and lesbian relationships: . A study in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence examined conflict and violence in lesbian relationships. The researchers found that 90 percent of the lesbians surveyed had been recipients of one or more acts of verbal aggression from their intimate partners during the year prior to this study, with 31 percent reporting one or more incidents of physical abuse.[46] . In a survey of 1,099 lesbians, the Journal of Social Service Research found that slightly more than half of the lesbians reported that they had been abused by a female lover/partner. The researchers found that "the most frequently indicated forms of abuse were verbal/emotional/psychological abuse and combined physical- psychological abuse."[47] . A study of lesbian couples reported in the Handbook of Family Development and Intervention "indicates that 54 percent had experienced 10 or more abusive incidents, 74 percent had experienced six or more incidents, 60 percent reported a pattern to the abuse, and 71 percent said it grew worse over time."[48] . In their book Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Them: Battered Gay Men and Domestic Violence, Island and Letellier postulate that "the incidence of domestic violence among gay men is nearly double that in the heterosexual population."[49] Gay and lesbian ys. other opposite-sex intimate partner relationships Surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice confirm that homosexual and lesbian relationships had a far greater incidence of domestic partner violence than opposite-sex relationships including cohabitation or marriage. . The National Violence against Women Survey, sponsored by the National Institute of Justice, found that "same-sex cohabitants reported significantly more intimate partner violence than did opposite-sex cohabitants. Thirty-nine percent of the same- sex cohabitants reported being raped, physically assaulted, and/or stalked by a marital/cohabitating partner at some time in their lifetimes, compared to 21.7 percent of the opposite-sex cohabitants. Among men, the comparable figures are 23.1 percent and 7.4 percent. "[50] Comparison of Intimate Partner Violence Against Various Categories 45 40 35 C 30 I) u 25 a Q. 20 15 10 5 0 Rape Physical T mal assault victimized . Lesbians III CohabitatinglMarried Women . Homosexual Men o CohabitatinglMarried Men Source: "Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence," U.S. Department of Justice: Office of Justice Programs, 30. Marriage ys. Other Types of Intimate Partner Relationships . A Bureau of Justice Statistics (an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice) report found that married women in traditional families experience the lowest rate of violence compared with women in other types of relationships.[51] Women who were not married to their "intimate partner" (i.e., were cohabiting), experienced a rate of violence four times higher than that of married women (11.3 per thousand vs. 2.6 per thousand). [52] 35 30 2$ 25 = - 20 III ~ 15 al I 10 5 o Intimate Partner Violence by Marital status . Female III Male Diwrcedl Separated Not Married Married Source: "Intimate Partner Violence," Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, Bureau of Justice Statistics, January 31, 2002: 4. Homosexual and Lesbian Couples ys. Married Couples When homosexual and lesbian relationships are directly compared with married couples, the difference in the domestic partner violence is pronounced: Intimate Partner Violence: Homosexual/Lesbian ys. Married 18 16 14 i 12 10 .;' c.l ... 8 Gl Cl. 6 4 2 0.26 0.05 0 Lesbians Married women Homosexual' men Married men Sources: "Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence," U.S.~Department of Justice: Office of Justice Programs: 30; "Intimate Partner Violence," Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report: 11. END NOTES 39. A.P.M. Coxon et aL, "Sex Role Separation in Diaries of Homosexual Men," AIDS (July 1993):877-882. 40. G. J. Hart et aL, "Risk Behaviour, Antl-HIV and Anti-Hepatitis B Core Prevalence In Clinic and Non-clinic Samples of Gay Men in England, 1991-1992," AIDS (July 1993): 863-869, cited in "Homosexual Marriage: The Next Demand," Position Analysis paper by Colorado for Family Values, May 1994. 41. Xlrldou, et aL, 1033. 42. Jon Garbo, "More Young Gay Men are Contracting HIV from Steady Partners," GayHealth (July 25, 2001). 43. "Sexually Transmitted Infections," 347. 44. Ibid. 45. R. Herrell, et aL, "A Co-Twin Study in Adult Men," Archives of General Psychiatry 56 (1999): 867-874. 46. Lettie L. Lockhart et aL, "Letting out the Secret:Violence in Lesbian Relationships," Journal of Interpersonal Violence 9 (1994): 469-492. 47. Gwat Yong Lie and Sabrina Gentlewarrier, "Intimate Violence in Lesbian Relationships: Discussion of Survey Findings and Practice Implications," Journal of Social Service Research 15 (1991): 46. 48. William C. Nichols, et ai, editors, Handbook of Family Development and Intervention (New York:John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2000): 393. 49. D. Island and P. Letellier, Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Th~: B~ered Gay Men and Domestic Violence (New York: Haworth Press, 1991): 14. ~." . ~, 50. "Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence," U.S. Department of JustIce: Office of Justice Programs (July, 2000): 30. 51. "Intimate Partner Violence," Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report (U.S. Department of Justice, May, 2000): 11. 52. Ibid., 4. Violence in Lesbian and Homosexual Relationships . A study in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence examined conflict and violence in lesbian relationships. The researchers found that 90 percent ofthe lesbians surveyed had been recipients of one or more acts of verbal aggression from their intimate partners during the year prior to this study, with 31 percent reporting one or more incidents of physical abuse.[43] . In a survey of 1,099 lesbians, the Journal of Social Service Research found that "slightly more than half of the [lesbians] reported that they had been abused by a female lover/partner. The most frequently indicated forms of abuse were verbal/emotional/psychological abuse and combined physical-psychological abuse. "[44] . In their book _Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Them: Battered Gay Men and Domestic Violenc.e,D. Island and P~Letelrle-r postulafe-fhaf"tl1e inciden-ce of domestic violence among gay men is nearly double that in the heterosexual population."[45] Rate of Intimate Partner Violence within Marriage. A little-reported fact is th~t homosexual and lesbian relationships are far more violent than are traditional married households: . The Bureau of Justice Statistics (U.S. Department of Justice) reports that married women in traditional families experience the lowest rate of violence compared with women in other types of relationships.[46] A report by the Medical Institute for Sexual Health concurred: It should be noted that most studies of family violence do not differentiate between married and unmarried partner status. Studies that do make these distinctions have found that marriage relationships tend to have the least intimate partner violence when compared to cohabiting or dating relationships.[47] High Incidence of Mental Health Problems among Homosexuals and Lesbians. A national survey of lesbians published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that 75 percent of the nearly two-thousand respondents had pursued psychological counseling of some kind, many for treatment of long-term depression or sadness: Among the sample as a whole, there was a distressingly high prevalence of life events and behaviors related to mental health problems. Thirty-seven percent had been physically abused and 32 percent had been raped or sexually attacked. Nineteen percent had been involved in incestuous relationships while growing up. Almost one-third used tobacco on a daily basis and about 30 percent drank alcohol more than once a week; 6 percent drank daily. One in five smoked marijuana more than once a month. Twenty-one percent of the sample had thoughts about suicide sometimes or often and 18 percent had actually tried to kill themselves. . . . More than half had felt too nervous to accomplish ordinary activities at some time during the past year and over one-third had been depressed.[48] Substance Abuse among Lesbians. A study published in Nursing Research found that lesbians are three times more likely to abuse alcohol and to suffer from other compulsive behaviors: Like most problem drinkers, 32 (91 percent) of the participants had abused other drugs as well as alcohol, and many reported compulsive difficulties with food (34 percent), codependency (29 percent), sex (11 percent), and money (6 percent). Forty-six percent had been heavy drinkers with frequent drunkenness. [49] Greater Risk for Suicide A study. of twins that examined the relationship between homosexuality and suicide, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry,found that homosexuals with same- sex partners were at greater risk for overall mental health problems, and were 6.5 times more likely than their twins to have attempted suicide. The higher rate was not attributable to mental health or substance abuse disorders.[50] . Another study published simultaneously in Archives of General Psychiatry followed 1007 individuals from birth. Those classified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual were significantly more likely to have had mental health problems. Significantly, in his comments in the same issue of the journal, Df Bailey cautioned against various speculative explanations of the results, such as the view that "widespread prejudice against homosexual people causes them to be unhappy or worse, mentally ill."[51] Reduced Life Span. Another factor contributing to the instability of male homosexual households, which raises the possibility of major disruption for children raised in such households, is the s'fgnificantly reduced life expectancy of male homosexuals. A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology on the mortality rates of homosexuals concluded: In a major Canadian centre, life expectancy at age twentyfor gay and bisexual men is eight to twenty years less than for all men. If the same pattern of mortality were to continue, we estimate that nearly half of gay and bisexual men currently aged twenty years will not reach their sixty-fifth birthday. Under even the most liberal assumptions, gay and bisexual men in this urban centre are now experiencing a life expectancy similar to that experienced by all men in Canada in the year 1871.[52] END NOTES -- . .__._..~.._._._--_._--_._.__._.,--_.__._---_._.-- .----.--..--.-.---.--...-...------ 43. Lettie L. Lockhart et aL, "Letting out the Secret: Violence in Lesbian Relationships," Journal of Interpersonal Violence 9 (1994): 469-492. 44. Gwat Yong Lie and Sabrina Gentlewarrier, "Intimate Violence in Lesbian Relationships: Discussion of Survey Findings and Practice Implications," Journal of Social Service Research 15 (1991): 41-59. 45. D. Island and P. Letellier, Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Them:Battered Gay Men and Domestic Violence (New York: Haworth Press, 1991), p. 14. 46. "Violence Between Intimates," Bureau of Justice Statistics Selected Findings, November 1994, p. 2. 47. Health Implications Associated With Homosexuality (Austin: The Medical Institute for Sexual Health, 1999), p. 79. 48. J. Bradford et aI., "National Lesbian Health Care Survey: Implications for Mental Health Care," Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 62 (1994): 239, cited in Health Implications Associated with Homosexuality, p. 81. 49. Joanne Hall, "Lesbians Recovering from Alcoholic Problems: An Ethnographic Study of Health Care Expectations," Nursing Research 43 (1994): 238-244. 50. R. Herrell et aL, "A Co-twin Study in Adult Men," Archives of General Psychiatry 56 (1999): 867-874. 51. D. Fergusson et aL, "Is Sexual Orientation Related to Mental Health Problems and Suicidality in Young People?" Archives of General Psychiatry 56 (October 1999). 52. Robert S. Hogg et al., "Modeling the Impact of HIV Disease on Mortality in Gay and Bisexual Men," International Journal of Epidemiology 26 (1997): 657. i".~"~'--' r~~::J,:":'.~T} :' ',' I "':'."'-:"'-:-0-'-. 1 :2 3 ORDINANCE NO. 2006-002 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 J.9 ;i AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRY; PROVIDING FOR REGISTRATION OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP RELATIONSHIP: PROVIDING FOR TERMINATION OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP; PROVIDING FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE REGISTRY; PROVIDING FOR RIGHTS OF REGISTERED DOMESTIC PARTNERS; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT; PROVIDING FOR RECIPROCITY; PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECnVE DATE. 20 2J. 22 23 24 WHEREAS, it is the best interest of Palm Beach County to be responsive to the i: changing needs of society and to treat all persons fairly and equitably; and ., WHEREAS, Palm Beach County recOgnizes that long-tenn committed relationships foster economic stability and emotional and psychological bonds; and 25 26 27 WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County have determined that the establishment of a Domestic Partnership Registry will serve the needs of the many residents of Palm Beach County living in committed Domestic Partnerships. WHEREAS, the Palm Beach County Fillr Housing/Equal Employment Board and the Board of County Commissioners wish to memorialize the efforts of Norman Aaron, formerVice~Chalnnan of the Fair HOUSing/Equal Employment Board and fonner President ofthe Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, by aCknowledging him in this Ordinance. 28 29 30 3l 32 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. FLORIDA, that: SECTION 1: 33 34 35 (A) The Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County, Florida finds that i there are many individuals who establish and maintain a significant personal, emotional I : and economic relationship with another individual. Individuals forming such Domestic i~ Partnerships often live in a committed relationship. Domestic Partners are often denIed certain benefits and rights because there is no established system for such relationships to be registered or recognized. (8) The provisions of this Ordinance shall be liberally construed to promote the 36 37 38 39 40 4J. ! public safety, health and general welfare of the residents of Palm Beach County and to :1 further the general policies and purposes stated herein. However, this Ordinance shan not I ORDINANCE NO, 200El ti1J.~J\~ J;(~' Uf) ~ l ,,~J~.a 'I ...~~ ~ 'i"~1 42 43 -----. .. . . . . . ~~7,~:~~,;~.~~ l :, be construed to supercede, alter, affect or contravene any federal, state or County laws .! or regulations. Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed as recognizing or treating a , Registered Domestic Partnership as a marriage. 2 3 5 SECTION 2w DEFINITIONS: '1 j ;~ "Domestic relationsh;pn means a familial relationship, intended to be of indefinite i. duration, between two individuals characterized by mutual caring and the sharing of a I; I mutual residence. .' 4 6 7 8 "Competent to contraot"means the two partners are mentally competent to contract. "Declaration of Domestic Partnershipnmeansa sworn declaration under penalty of .. perjury, which certifies that said individuals meet the requirements of a Registered .; Domestic Partnership as provided in Section 4 of this Ordinance.. "Dependent" means a person who resides within the household of a Registered 9 10 II 12 :, 13 Domestic Partnership and is: 14 ,; .j ! 1. a biological, adopted or foster child of a Registered Domestic Partner; or 2. a dependent as defined under IRS regulations; or 15 16 3. a ward of a Registered Domestic Partnership as determined in a guardianship ! or other legal proceeding. "Domestic Partners" means two adults who are parnes to a valid domestic I relationship and who meet the requisites for a valid Domestic Partnership relationship as 17 18 19 20 established pursuant to Section 4 of this Ordinance. 21 "Health Care FacilitY' includes, but Is not limited to, hospitals, convalescent i facilities, nursing homes, walk-in clinics, doctor's offices, mental health care facilities and r: other short and long-term facilities located within, or under the jurisdiction of Palm Beach ; County. 22 23 24 25 "Jointly Responsiblenmeans each Domestic Partner, mutually agrees to provide for 26 " j, the other partner's basic food, shelter and common necessities of life while the Domestic 27 i Partnership relationship is in effect, but does not require that partners contribute equally , to said basic food, shelter and common necessities of life. 28 29 "Mutual residence" means that the Domestic Partners share the same residence, 30 and oontribute to the cost of maintaining such residence. It is not necessary that the legal . ,. I '; 20AblNANCE NO. 900"'~ '.i ) ~ Ii,,.,.. ,ro.,.,J ; " U {~" (~ f\ ') "'-.Y ....., U ~ --....-....--. \'~~_.:.:.; i 1 .i right to possess the place of residence be in both names. Domestic Partners are not prohibited from owning or renting more than one residence. Temporary relocation of one !~ Domestic Partner for work, education or military service, does not negate the maintenance 2 3 4 of a mutual residence provided the Domestic Partner intends to return. 5 "Registered Domestic Partnership" means a committed relationship between two 6 persons who consider themselves to be a member of each other's immediate family and . have registered their partnership in accordance with Section 4 of this Ordinance. 7 8 : SECTION 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF DOMESTIC PARTNeRSHIP REGISTRY: 9 There is hereby created in Palm Beach County, Florida a Domestic Partnership Registry, which shall be maintained by the Clerk and Comptroller's Office. " SECTION 4. REGISTRATION OF A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP RELATIONSHIP: :La 11 1:2 (A) Registration: A valid Domestic. Partnership may be registered by two persons, " who maintain a residence in Palm Beach County, by recording a Declaration of Domestic ,I Partnership with the Clerk and Comptroller's Office, which declaration shall comply with all .j requirements for establishing such Domestic Partnership as described herein. Upon ! :1 payment of any required fees, the Clerk and Comptroller's office shall file the Declaration ': of Domestic Partnership and Issue a certificate reflecting the registration of the Domestic ! Partnership relationship in Palm Beach County. (B) Declaration: A Declaration of Domestic Partnership shall contain the name and '. address of each Domestic Partner, the Signature of each partner, and each partner shall swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that each partner: (1) Is at least eighteen (18) years old and competent to contract; (2) Is not married; (3) Is the sole Domestic Partner of the other person; (4) Is not related by blood; (5) Consents to the Domestic Partnership relationship without force, duress ~3 14 15 16 ~7 18 19 20 2~ 22 23 :24 25 26 27 i' or fraud; 28 (6) Agrees to be jointly responsible for each others basic food, shelter, ~ common necessities of life and welfare; ! 29 30 (7) Has not been a member of another Domestic Partnership for the past 3 ORDINANCE NO. 000.12 A..> . V rv~ ~n~ 0 ... VU ~ {-; ::~{.;"r~~l ~ , year; 2 (8) Shares his or her primary residence with the other; (9) Considers himself or herself to be a member of the immediate family of ! the other partner. (C) Documentation: As further evidence of a Domestic Partnership, the following 3 4 5 I: 6 ;' documents must be presented for review along with the Declaration of Domestic 7 I. Partnership: 8 (1) To estab~ish mutual residence: At least one (1) of the following: current ; copy of mortgage, lease or deed showing both names or copies of current d river's licenses, passports, tax returns, or other government Issued photograph identification showing the : same address for both partners: and (2) To establish ioint financial resDonsibilitv: At least two (2) of the following: 9 1.0 1.1 12 13 " current copy of mortgage document, lease or deed showing both names, copy of statement from joint bank account, credit cards with the same account number for both partners, 1.4 1.5 vehicle title showing common ownership, a beneficiary designation form for a retirement plan or life insurance policy signed and completed to the effect that one Domestic Partner is the beneficiary of the other, wills which designate the other as primary beneficiary. (D) Amendment: Any partner to a Domestic Partnership may file an amendment to the Domef!!ltic' Partnership certificate Issued by the Clerk and Comptroller to reflect a : change in his or her legal name. ~6 1.7 J.8 19 20 21. SECTION 5. TERMINATION OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP: 22 (A) Obliaation to notify clerk and comptrQller: By recording a Declaration of I Domestic Partnership, each partner agrees to immediately notify the Clerk and Comptroller's Office, by filing a Declaration of Termination of Domestic Partnership, if t~e terms of the Registered Domestic Partnership are no longer applicable or one of the 23 24 2S 26 Domestic Partners wishes to terminate the Domestic Partnership. i 27 (B) Declaration of Termination. Either Registered Domestic Partner may terminate a Registered Domestic Partnership by recording a Declaration of Termination with the Clerk and Comptroller. The person filing the Declaration of Termination shall swear and affirm, under penalty of perjury, that; 28 29 30 4 ORDINANCE NO. ~t. e'"":~~ 6r~.~ f>:~ ;::::'J V V '-' "-'" (""il: U'n~ .(:1;;. \...9 V . t ,;::; ~ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ~o J.~ 12 13 14 J.5 1.6 1.7 :1.8 :19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 :,~.._~..,-"-:-".""'-' ._._....._~- .. l:.:~ .,~. d.;....::} (1) The Registe,red Domestic Partnership Is to be terminated; and (2) If the Declaration of Termination is not signed by both Registered Domestic Partners, then proof of service (copy of declaration and certified or registered mail receipt) shall be required at the time of recording the termination with the Clerk and Comptroller's Office. (C) Effective date of termination. The termination shall become effective on the date of recording of the Declaration of Termination signed by both Registered Domestic ;, ; Partners, or, if the Declaration of Termination is not signed by both partners, on the date !' proof of service is filed with the Clerk and Comptroller's Office. (D) Automatlc termination. A Registered Domestic Partnership shall automatically terminate in the event that one of the Domestic Partners dies, marries, enters into a civil I' !: union or registered Domestic Partnership with someone other than his or her Registered , :1 Domestic Partner. !! SECTION 6. ADMINISTRA T~ON OF REGISTRY: (A) The Clerk and Comptroller shall collect a fee for recording and administering the Declarations of Domestic Partnership in the amount of $50.00. The cost of recording an amendment or a Declaration of Termination of Domestic Partnership shall be $20.00. The , '! fees may be adjusted as necessary by resolution of the Soard of County Commissioners. (8) The Clerk and Comptroller shall collect a fee In the amount the Clerk and Comptroller has established pursuant to State public records law for certified copies of the Domestic Partnership documents, other than the original certificate of Domestic Partnership initially issued by the Clerk and Comptroller to the Domestic Partnership. (C) The Clerk and Comptroller shall keep a computer record of all Declarations of Domestic Partnership, amendments and Declarations of Terminations of Domestic i ., Partnership. (D) The Clerk and Comptroller shall identify on the Declaration of Domestic , Partnership what types of documents were presented for further documentation. It shall ! not be necessary for a copy of such documents to be kept on file. (E) Upon receipt of a Declaration of Domestic Partnership signed by both Domestic ': Partners and the requisite recording fee, the Clerk and ComptrollershalJ issue a certificate of Domestic Partnership. " ;, I 5 ORDINANce NOR i)' O"i Un It.:J- .' . ,r ~:.~, ~ . .w. ,-';;. 0" ". 0, '. .nt-I> " ~ }... ,P" '-"" .f ....01 ~'_': ", ---., ! J. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1.1 J.2 J.3 14 15 J.6 17 1.8 J.9 20 21. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 '......___.:M.: C;~.~.2~~' (F) The Clerk and Comptroller shall provide pertinent Domestic Partnership forms to persons requesting them. SECTION 7. RIGHTS OF REGISTERED DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP: To the extent not superseded by federal, state or County laws or ordinances, Registered Domestic Partners shall have the following rights: (A) Health Care Visitation. All Health Care Facilities operating within Palm Beach County shall allow a Registered Domestic Partner the same visitation rights as a spouse :i of the patient. If the patient Is a dependent of the Registered Domestic Partnership, all Health Care Facilities operating within Palm Beach County shall allow a Registered Domestic Partner the same visitation rights as a parent if the patient is a dependent of a :: Registered Domestic Partner. A dependent of a Registered Domestic Partner shall have . the same visitation rights as a patient's child. (8) Health Care Decisions. If a patient lacks the capacity to make a health care decision, the patient's Registered Domestic Partner shall have the same authority as a ; spouse to make a health care decision for the incapacitated party to the extent allowed by I Section 765.401, Florida Statutes. This section pertains to decisions concerning both physical and mental health. (C) FunerallBurlal Decisions. ForIdwing the death of a Registered Domestic Partner, the surviving Domestic Partner shall have the same rights to make decisions and disposition of the decedent's body as a surviving spouse, unless otherwise provided by law. The surviving Domestic Partner shan retain these rights notwithstanding the automatic termination provision of Section Ji..... (D) Notification of Famllv Members. In any situation providIng for mandatory or i. permissible notification of family members, including, but not limited to, notification 01 fa m i1y members In an emergency, or when pennission Is granted to inmates to contact family members such notification shall include Registerad Domestic Partners. , i; 0; (E) Pre-need Guardian Deslanation. Any person who Is registered as a Registered Domestic Partner pursuant to this Ordinance shall have the same right as any other individual to be designated as a pre-need guardian pursuant to Section 744.3045, Florida :! Statutes, and to serve in such capacity, unless otherwise provided by law. In the event one I: I. Registered Domestic Partner becomes incapacitated and has not executed a valid pre- I I 6 ORDINANCE NO. .t""'I" .-rb i"'~ f;"" ~.,~ ~ ; ~, \'.'l i,.....,~ ,...".,.. ........ \...)JI C,;' A. -r.: ,~r;,~ C'~ \,,51 ~'~'5'r.r'" 1 2 3 4 s 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ~7 J.8 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 C:=~:':~.Z'z need guardian designation, the other Registered Domestic Partner shall not be denied serving as the plenary guardian of his or her Domestic Partner or the partner's property, under the provisions of Chapter 744, Florida Statutes, based solely upon his or her status as the Domestic Partner of the Incapacitated partner. (F) Visitation Riahts at County Correctional and Juvenile Detention Facilities. Any :1 ii person who is a party to a Registered Domestic Partnership, pursuant to this Ordinance, :, ., :1 :1 shall be entitled to visit his or her Domestic Partner, or other family member of the " Domestic Partner, who Is an inmate at a County correctional facility or juvenile detention " facility, upon the same terms and conditions under which visitation Is afforded to spouses, children or parents of inmates. Visitation rights provided by this Ordinance shall extend to I' " any children ofthe Domestic Partners, and the Domestic Partners of an inmate's parents or children. SECTION 8. ENFORCEMENT: A Registered Domestic Partner may enforce the rights conferred herein by filing a , private action against a person or entity in any Court of competent jurisdiction for declaratory relief, injunction relief or both. seCTION 9. RECIPROCITY: All rights, privileges and benefits extended to Registered Domestic Partnerships registered pursuant to this Ordinance shall also be extended to all persons legally partnered in another jurisdiction. Sf:CTION 10.. APPLICABILITY: It is hereby provided that this Ordinance shall constitute a uniform law applicable in all the unincorporated and in~rporated areas of Palm Beach County, Florida, to the extent ;, " permitted by the Florida Constitution, Article VIII, Section I. SECTION 11. REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT: All local laws and ordinances In conflict with any provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. This provision Is not Intended to repeal or otherwise effect In any way an ordinance of any municipality In Palm Beach County creating a Domestic Partnership Registry within the municipality. ~ ~ ! 7 ORDINANCE NO. ~ ;#'""\\\U ...r""; 6<10 ro..JJI ill ~li f! i "",.. ,:.:;,; V .... rv:. .;.r". ",..~, ,....... uuu~. ~ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ~2 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 '.'''. ..----..-' '. ...----- ,.....-.-.....,...- ~._-;""...-:.':"..; ~.:::~~~..!..d " SECTION 12. SEVERABILITY: If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Ordinance is for any reason held by the Court to be unconstitutional, inoperative, orvold. such holding shall not affect the remainder of this Ordinance. SECTION 13. INCLUSION IJllI THE CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES: !' be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such, and the word "ordinance" may be " :: i; changed to "section", "article". or other appropriate word. I' SECTION 14. EfFECTIVE DATE: !; I' " The provisions of this Ordinance shall become effective upon filing with the i. I Department of State. APPROVED and ADOPTED by the Board of County Cpmmissioners of Palm Beach County, Florida, on this the 10th January day of ,2006. Ii SHARON R. BOCK, 'I CLERK & COMPTROLLER PALM BEACH COU~'''''''''''\''\\\\ ...::::\)~ T y ~ "., .#"' 0 ......-......yo I" II ~? c,....... '.....Jt{,:\ '. ::; . ..,\ i37J . _.I' " -') - d3:f'~Y-""~,, 1c-"# \~\ ~ ". . ,.' / . if K '-~~ A~~" \'::.~ _ \ .,\ _II. _ , B~. .~~ ;,}i..~~i By: \dV"1~V~ ;;Y Deputy C~... L.UAIO~ .....~,j Tony rasJlot I Chairman 'I, 0 ..... ...."..:-.?~..f "1, <9 ....-..... C:;"'-".F 11111 * ,r!""- APPROVED AS TO F()R~""AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, BY ITS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS .: ....--7 ~_./C7 Blk._,1:?"r~L ~~ Cou - omey 1 !: ;i !' i: EFFECTIVE DATE: Filed with the Department of State on the 17th day of JanuafY .! 2006. G:\WPOA TA\ENG\TKF\RIsk Manageme"t\Ocmest~artnel'8hIp-Reglstry-Ortlln.nce...o1-1 0-2008.wpd i '1 ii 8 OROfNANCE NO. QP~np; ,....~," "Y \'.1I,...:J {~ rJ .f" ., {;J {'~;. ,,~. r;1 t.. .:"