Normally, City Hall staffers prepare heavily political ordinances that the City Council considers and votes on.

This time it is different.

The City Attorney’s office is preparing the sanctuary city document that the City Council will study, absorb and vote on at its March 27 meeting.

Mayor Jim Clarke, among other leaders, says that Culver City already is conducting business as if it were a sanctuary city. Why is a formalizing vote necessary?

City staffers, he said, meanwhile, are compiling “what is going on in various jurisdictions since there is no clear definition of what constitutes a sanctuary city.

“I would claim that the actions that we are taking means that we are acting like a sanctuary city.”

Then Mr. Clarke edged into thin-ice territory.

“I know there are folks out there who want us to do even more – which even could include breaking the law, which I am not in favor of,” the mayor said.

That is why City Atty. Carol Schwab and her staff are at the center of this debate.

Is Mr. Clarke prepared to vote yes in 19 days to designate Culver City as a sanctuary city?

“I don’t know,” he said.

“Depends on what are the elements that we approve.

“If it is that we are going to continue doing what we are now because we believe it is the right thing, and you want to call it a sanctuary city, I might be open to that as a symbolic gesture,” said the mayor.

“But if it is asking us to do things that are illegal or involve giving away public funds, I am not for that.”