Agenda - Council - 03/09/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Wise asked who decides what language is offensive. Management Intern Hendricks stated staff would make that determination. Councilmember Dehen stated people already use the City website and he does not support Facebook because it involves social networking, the City would begin to regulate speech that one may find offensive yet another not find offensive, it involves data practice issues, and would take staff time. He noted that e-mail and other methods to communicate with the City are available. Mayor Ramsey stated he suggested a City Facebook page because there was clear direction a year ago that a better way was needed to communicate with residents and keep them informed. In his opinion, there is no better way to communicate than Facebook. He noted the City's website does not offer a way to converse with staff, except to send an e -mail and staff to respond, which takes time. Mayor Ramsey stated if he is on Facebook, he can respond to reduce staff involvement. City Attorney Goodrich reported on a seminar he attended that included a session on use of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. He advised that a Burnsville survey found these options were being used by 15 to 30 year olds who would not normally use the City's webpage. At the seminar, consensus was that there is no problem legally with putting out information, the question occurs when the user is allowed to return information. City Attorney Goodrich stated one way to avoid a problem is to break down the site to allow comment only on certain topics like streets, parks, or snowplowing but someone on staff will have to watch the site to make sure lewd or profane comments are not posted. Councilmember Elvig stated he would not object to posting information on multiple venues but not to allow two -way communication or a blog site. Mayor Ramsey agreed a Facebook page could be created to not allow comment and stated his Facebook page could be shown on the City's page so he can accept comment and discuss issues with residents. Management Intern Hendricks stated staff can look at the option of creating a design box for the Mayor's Facebook page so they can become a "friend." Councilmember Wise stated he liked the ability to get younger residents involved and would agree with the majority. However, he would like staff to quantify what is anticipated in staff time to create and monitor the site and he remained worried that it will become a runaway problem for staff. City Administrator Ulrich stated that using the page to get out information will improve communication and may save staff time in the long run once staff gets in the process to post the information and offer automatic information on projects or issues. Councilmember Dehen stated his concern with allowing comment and who would determine what constitutes pornography or free speech. He stated he does not want to spend any money to City Council Work Session / February 9, 2010 Page 2 of 7