HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 10 03 Regular D Utilizing City Water Bill and City Newletter for Announcements
City Commission Special Meeting
October 3, 2000
City Manager Department Agenda Item "D"
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM D
CONSENT
INFORMATIONAL
PUBLIC HEARING
REGULAR X
10/03-00
Meeting
MGR~ /DEPT
Authorization
REQUEST: City Manager requesting the Commission to consider a policy for
providing announcement of community events and other community messages on
the city utility bill and city newsletter.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to establish a policy that provides staff
consistent direction relative to the utilization of the city water bill and city newsletter for
announcements of community events and other types of community messages.
CONSIDERATION:
We routinely get requests from the schools, clubs, homeowners associations, etc. to put
event announcements on the water bill and in the newsletter.
The current request is a request of the Winter Springs High School to put an announcement
of a school play on the water bill. The Commission will not be able to act on this in time for
the announcement to go out. However, we need to address this matter once and for all.
Staff has taken the position that these media are for city sanctioned events, notices, and
information only.
There are complex legal issues related to opening these media to other than city related
business involving the first amendment rights and equal protection rights under the U.S.
Constitution. Once the door is open, it is conceivably open to everyone.
As we have seen these federal civil rights and equal protections issues are very difficult and
cosdy to defend. They are also subject to large awards and attorney fees paid by the city for
the plaintiffs.
The safest way of dealing with this issue is to have a clear and simple written policy that is
easily understood and simple to administer.
City Commission Special Meeting
October 3, 2000
City Manager Department Agenda Item "D"
I am recommending that you receive legal advice from your attorney and give careful
consideration to this matter before amending the policy we are currendy following.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Commission seek advise from legal council and determine if it
sees a need to amend the current policy prohibiting public notices and announcements on
the city water bill and city newsletter for any purposes other than city business or city
sanctioned events.
AITACHMENTS: Winter Springs High School Ad.
COMMISSION ACTION: