Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY REVIEW
Date: June 11, 2024
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council review and discuss the City’s existing social media policy and terms of service and provide direction to staff on potential amendments, if any.
Background
Under Future Agenda Items, the City Council requested a review of the City’s social media policy. The social media policy and terms of service were originally adopted by the City Council in 2016 as a stand-alone policy (attached). These were subsequently incorporated into the adopted Personnel Rules in 2018.
As a companion document, terms of service were also developed. The terms of service are published on all city social media platforms and the city website (attached).
Analysis/Discussion
The social media policy applies to city personnel use of City social media platforms. The City does not generally have the ability to regulate speech on the personal social media platforms of city personnel.
The social media policy is now embedded in the City’s Personnel Rules and any proposed changes would need to updated in the Personnel Rules. The Personnel Rules are currently being revised and will be discussed with the City Council and the City’s labor groups after completion of MOU discussions. The companion terms of service could be directly amended by the City Council sooner, if it doesn’t conflict with the existing policy.
Financial Considerations
There are no direct financial impacts with amending the social media policy or terms of service.
Environmental Issues
Not applicable.