HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-2015 C5 KoteenCOUNCIL MEETING: Q (D- 23 -2DI5
ITEM NO.: GS
To: Mejia, Anthony
Subject: RE: June 23 - consent agenda item- SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
From: PkoteenCcbaol.com [mailto:Pkoteemlaol.com]
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 8:34 PM J1,JN 2, '3 2015
To: Rivoire, Dan; Ashbaugh, John; Carpenter, Dan; Marx, Jan; Christianson, Carlyn
Cc: Sims, Shannon
Subject: June 23 - consent agenda item- SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
Dear Mayor Marx and Council Members-
I am pleased to see consideration of socially responsible investments for our city.
I agree to the recommendation that our city restrict investments in tobacco
related companies and those that support the direct production or drilling of fossil fuels.
I would like to see further study prior to the adoption of this agenda item, and to ask for more
public input into this. Possibly, the city could consult with stock experts in our community who
focus on Socially Responsible Investing, such as Scott Secrest. There are some cities that have
policies already (Boulder, CO; Berkeley, CA; Richmond, CA; Cambridge, MA; etc) and have
already researched these sorts of investments in greater depth. It could be important to gain
information from those cities.
I'd like to see consideration to exclude investing in companies that Test on Animals, such as
Colgate - Palmolive (one of many) and companies that specialize in Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs), such as Monsanto. Would you consider it timely, during this drought, not investing in
companies that use vast amounts of water such as Cargill. There are other communities that
choose not to invest in companies related to the defense industry, and we should consider this
too. How to reduce the suffering of animals is a major concern of mine, and I'd like to see our
city consider the amount of Animal Suffering occurring from a company's practices when
choosing investments.
Therefore, I ask that City Council pull this item from the consent agenda and reevaluate their
exclusions to include a greater array of socially responsible investing.
I would like to be notified when meetings are open to the public on this issue in the future.
Thank you for your time,
Peggy Koteen
25 year resident of SLO