Minutes - Council Work Session - 05/10/2022

Home

on his Facebook page to post on the Ramsey Community page a negative comment against another Councilmember. He asked if the policy only applies to what is said on the Ramsey site. Communications and Events Coordinator Thorstad replied no, if he has his own personal Facebook page and he has a Councilmember Facebook page, he has First Amendment right to speak as a private citizen and as a City Councilmember and the policy doesn't restrict that, it is only official City communications. She gave the example of a employee speaking at an open forum, they can identify themselves as an employee and give their opinion. They are protected by the First Amendment right. Councilmember Heineman commented as long as it is within those perimeters. He didn't want to be limited on his own pages. Councilmember Howell stated she objected to Councilmember Heineman because in the Fargo Council, they recently had a similar situation. She stated they had a City Councilmember write on official City letterhead his opinion and support of something which the other Councilmember didn't agree with. After disagreement, the Councilmember's First Amendment rights prevailed. She stated he could be a minority of the population and express that opinion. She found limiting the capacity of an employee or official to communicate in their official capacity while private citizens aren't monitored to be unreasonable. Councilmember Heineman replied that it isn't being said they couldn't share their opinions, but that they couldn't say they are speaking on behalf of the City. Councilmember Howell replied that is acceptable. Councilmember Woestehoff commented on the structure of the policy. He understood the comments about the employees and agents but felt this policy is restricted to comments made on the page that is owned by the City of Ramsey. If it is an agent, such as an ad agency hired to do marketing for the City, that is where it comes into play. He clarified that it didn't address all employees, only those who are communicating on behalf of the City. Councilmember Howell replied she appreciated the clarification. Councilmember Woestehoff commented that he didn't disagree that letter G of the policy didn't have some level of opinion in it and asked the City Attorney to comment on the list and where it falls within the scope. He felt any content deemed unlawful or inappropriate by the City Attorney and he could come up with a list or he could be contacted if there was doubt about a post. He thought turning comments off was a disservice to the community because it impacts the reach. He stated he looked up the privacy policy on the Ramsey website and asked that it be reviewed because the link goes to a form that says "please contact the City for a policy." Mayor Pro Tem Riley asked if there was agreement that there is enough to the policy that it can be worked with and make some changes. City Council Work Session/May 10, 2022 Page 7 of 32