02-13-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 City of Orono departments should use account names that maintain the city’s branding and consistent identification with City of Orono. Account names should also include “Minnesota” after City of Orono wherever possible to differentiate the city from similarly named cities. Legal Considerations The Freedom of Information Act and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act guarantees citizens of the State and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials, and public employees. A public record is any writing or recording - regardless of whether it is a paper record, an electronic file, an audio or video recording, or any other format - that is prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business. All public records are presumed to be open, and may only be withheld if a specific, statutory exemption applies. In consideration of the Freedom of Information Act and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, see Backup Policy above. Note on Tone and Presentation The City of Orono should be as personable and approachable as possible when using social media, as this registers best with users. Messages should generally be conversational and concise. City of Orono social media pages should also have brief descriptions that include details on the city and are consistent with the city’s brand. These descriptions should include comment policies. They should also explain the city’s policy on following or otherwise engaging with other entities on the social media site, when applicable. See “Guidelines for Following Others on Social Media” above for more details. Appeal City of Orono social media sites are not intended to operate as traditional open public forums. When the City opens a site for public comment it does not intend to open the site for all purposes but to open the site for limited discussion of only those topics specified by the City on that site. In some cases sites may be non-public forums, that is, not open to public comment at all, and in other instances, sites may be designated limited public forums. When the City Clerk determines to remove content of a person who is not an employee and who was not acting on behalf of the City, the person may appeal the decision. When a post or comment has been removed, anyone aggrieved other than a City employee may seek to have the City Clerk reconsider the decision to remove a comment by providing the City Clerk with a written request stating the reason or reasons why the comments do not fall within those limitations established in this policy or offer other bases to establish a right to publish the comments or other communications on the City social media site. The City Clerk or other appropriate official must render a written decision on the request within one business day (excluding official City holidays) of receipt of the request noting the basis for the decision. The decision of the City Clerk or other appropriate official shall be the final administrative decision of the City. When a person other than an employee believes this policy violates their rights in ways other than removal of personally posted content from the City’s social media sites, that person may seek to have the City Clerk review all or part of the policy as applicable to that person by providing the City Clerk with a written request stating the reason or reasons why the policy violates the persons rights. The City Clerk must render a written decision on the request within five (5) business days (excluding official City holidays) and give the bases for the decision. For good cause, the City Clerk may extend the time for rendering a decision by five (5) additional days. The decision of the City Clerk shall be the final administrative decision by the City.