HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-11 17-364 ORDINANCETitle, Ordinance
17-364 10/11/2017
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Council Meeting Date: October 11, 2017
Item No: 17-364
Responsible Dept: Legal
Action Requested: Ordinance Map/Lot: N/A
Amending Chapter 33, Code of Ethics, By Adding Section 33-7.1 Use of Social Media
Summary
This ordinance would amend the Code of Ethics to provide standards for use of social media.
The purpose of the amendment is to provide a means for one to distinguish between the personal opinions or
comments and opinions and comments in one's official capacity.
Committee Action
Committee:
Action
Government Operations Committee Meeting Date: October 2, 2017
Staff Comments & Approvals
For:
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City Manager City Solicitor
Introduced for: First Reading and Referral
Against:
Finance Director
CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE
Date: October 11, 2017
Assigned to Councilor: Perry
17-364 10/11/2017
ORDINANCE, Amending Chapter 33, Code of Ethics, By Adding Section 33-7.1 Use of Social Media
WHEREAS, rules governing the use of social media is appropriate to include in the City's Code of Ethics.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR AS FOLLOWS, THAT
Chapter 33 of the Code of the City of Bangor be amended as follows:
By adding the following:
6 33-7.1 Use of Social Media
This provision provides parameters to be followed when using social media while working or during activities
related to work for the public. Its purpose is to offer a means to distinguish between personal opinions or
comments and opinions or comments in one's official capacity. Its intent is to respect protected speech and
First Amendment rights.
The use of online social networks can blur the lines between private opinions and comments and those that
are made in one's official capacity. Any use of social media by a person associated with the City may be
perceived as representing the City and Cityaovernment. Hence discretion and caution are needed.
Social media refers to online communications tools, including but not limited to online social networks such as
Facebook, professional networks such as LinkedIn, micro-blogging tools such as Twitter and Tumblr,
photograph and video sharing sites such as Pinterest and YouTube, and personal blogging and online forum
sites.
All those governed by the Code of Ethics must, on their personal social media accounts, include a qualifying_
statement that substantially adheres to the following form: "The views I express on this site are my own and
do not reflect any official view or position of the City of Bangor."
Inappropriate uses of private social media include, but are not limited to: U disclosure of confidential or
proprietary information about or relating to the City, its customers, or its employees, private citizens, or private
businesses; (2) any statements or posted materials that could reasonably be considered to represent the views
or position of the City or one of its departments, unless an official position has been taken; (3) posting or
messaging in a manner that could reasonably give rise to an expectation that someone contacting the person
would receive an official response.
Additions are underlined, deletions strueak threugh.
IN CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 11, 2017
COr 17-364
FIRST READING
CITY C RK
IN CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 23, 2017
COr 17-364
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED FOR PASSAGE
VOTE: 6-2
COUNCILORS VOTING YES: FAIRCLOTH, NEALLEY, NICHOLS, PERRY,
SPRAGUE, BALDACCI
COUNCILORS VOTING NO: GRAHAM, WESTON
PASSED
CITY CLERK