Sponsored by: Community & Public Relations Committee

Resolution 2003-723

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A POLICY REGARDING 
CITY INFORMATION MEDIA

WHEREAS, The city has adopted five core values to guide it in the development and implementation of municipal services, and one of those values is “Communications,” by which is meant, a clear, timely two-way communication between the city and those we serve; and

WHEREAS, The fundamental purpose of the city’s newsletter, web page, and cable television access channels, is to communicate to the public information pertaining to municipal services, policies, and activities, and to enhance interaction between the city and the community; and

WHEREAS, the City Council now wishes to establish a policy to guide the city staff in determining the appropriate content of city sponsored information media.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS, AS FOLLOWS:

RESOLVED, that there is hereby established the following policy regarding city sponsored information media:

Guidelines
City media will provide objective information to the public concerning the operations and deliberations of their municipal government. City media, including newsletters, web pages, and cable television access channels are intended to support priorities, programs, and services of the city. Information regarding non-city programs will not be published unless there is significant investment of city resources, the city is a sponsor or co-sponsor of the program or event, or the information is intended to inform residents of policies and programs of other governmental agencies having jurisdiction in Maryland Heights.

The Mayor will be provided reasonable space for a letter to residents in the city’s newsletter. The content of this letter should generally conform to the objectives and prohibitions set forth in this guideline.

Exceptions
Where the city council has established a policy of supporting a program or activity that may extend beyond city sponsorship, such as it has done in the area of the cultural arts, city media may be used to inform residents of those activities or events, whether held in the city or not, so long as they meet the following criteria:

•	The program or activity is sponsored by a not-for-profit agency or organization.
•	The primary purpose of the activity or event is not fund-raising.
•	There is no conflict with the Prohibitions set forth below.

Other activities or events that may be included in city informational media, spacing permitting are:

•	Arts and entertainment events at Westport Plaza
•	Concerts at the UMB Bank Pavillion
•	Events at the Pattonville Planetarium.

Prohibitions
City informational media are not to be used for advocating support for a particular issue or individual.

City informational media will not be used for the following:
•	Any commercial advertising message.
•	Any purpose that constitutes libel, slander, invasion of privacy, violation of trademark or copyright, or that might violate any local, state, or federal law including FCC regulations.

Responsibility 
The City Administrator is responsible for administering the city’s newsletter, web page, and access channels in conformance with these guidelines.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR THIS 6th DAY OF MARCH 2003.

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Mayor/Presiding Officer
ATTEST:

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City Clerk