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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 11-04 CC MIN12 MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY November 4, 1980 The adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of National City was called to order by Vice Mayor Waters at 4:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Council members present: Dalla, Van Deventer, Waters. Absent: Camacho, Morgan. Administrative officials present: Ballard, Campbell, McCabe. TOPIC Assistant City Manager Ballard explained the purpose of the meeting was to develop a content policy for a City Newsletter, a newsletter which will be distributed in place of the calendar which the City has prepared and distributed in the past; and said it was important that everyone understand and agree on a policy framework to guide the preparation of the newsletter, Assistant City Manager Ballard introduced Tom Foreman, Communications Research Assistant, City of Montebello, who was present to assist with the newsletter which will be distributed in late January or early February and in the development, in skeletal form, of a policy from which to operate; Mr. Foreman has ten years experience in Montebello and other cities. CONTENT POLICY Mr. Foreman spoke briefly of the needs filled by a newsletter (feedback to public, public information, etc.) The first item of content policy discussed was "NEWS NOT VIEWS." Mr. Foreman recommended use of pictures and items of actual news value to establish the credibility of the newsletter; pictures of each member of the Council would appear on the back of the letter; true, factual issues reflecting the majority actions of Council should be used; not the personal views of any one member of Council, nor should there be edito- rializing. Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Dalla, Council adopt as the first element of the policy "news not views" as outlined by Mr. Foreman. Carried by unanimous vote. Absent: Camacho, Morgan. The second item of content policy discussed was "MUST BE AN ACCOMPLISHED ITEM." Mr. Foreman explained the items would emanate more from staff than from Council; however, the items should have been before Council and should reflect Council's majority view, otherwise the articles might reflect a particular department's point of view; a member of Council should not attempt to use an item the rest of Council had not agreed to. Mr. Foreman stressed that although Council might wrangle over something for a year or more, once Council makes a decision, the majority view is Council action. Councilman Dalla inquired if, for example, Council acted to install additional lights, even though the lights would not be installed for a year or more, would the action to approve the lights be considered as an accomplished item for the newsletter. Mr. Ballard inquired about the use of items which have not been before Council, such as the hours the swimming pool is open, which is a delegated administrative decision. Mr. Foreman said so far as the Council action to install lights at a future date is concerned, the fact that Council has agreed to a policy of future action is newsworthy; delegated administrative decisions were also newsworthy; you do not want to get yourselves into a bind or straightjacket. Vice Mayor Waters inquired about Chamber of Commerce requests for articles on such subjects as Salute to Navy. Mr. Foreman reminded everyone there would be limited space and the letter would be distributed only once or twice a year. Councilman Dalla commented this was a grey area; in the case of Maytime Band Review the City contributes money. Mr. Foreman said that might be appropriate. City Manager McCabe suggested the wording of the policy 11/7/80 13 to be: "Must be accomplished action as approved by majority of Council or the delegated authority of the City Manager's office.P4 Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Dalla, the "accomplished action" policy be as suggested by the City Manager. Carried by unanimous vote. Absent: Camacho, Morgan. The third item of content policy discussed was "REFER TO 'THE COUNCIL' RATHER THAN INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS." Consensus was that Council includes Mayor and Members of the City Council, the term Council refers to the governing body as a whole. The fourth and final item of content policy discussed was "PRODUCTION IS A STAFF FUNCTION: CITY MANAGER IS EDITOR." Mr. Foreman suggested Council see a copy of the newsletter prior to its printing as its members are "wired —in" to the community; the Council should see it before it is printed so that nothing that is a "red flag" to any of its members is included; there should be an opportunity to say "that doesn't reflect the majority of the Council;'lCouncil will tend to be supercritical of the first few issues of the newsletter. Mr. Foreman answered a question of the degree between censorship and editing, saying in Montebello the City Manager's position has been if one Councilman brings it up, that's one thing; after delving into the issue, if it would take three Council votes; it might be necessary to call together all members of the Council in that regard. Discussion re City Manager not having to defend individual sentences; grey area of what should be done if there was a real problem and the other members of Council would not agree to a change; in questions of sematics, the City Manager is the editor, not Council; there should be an understanding that if there is a substantial change, it would take three votes; City Manager should have independence. Moved by Dalla, seconded by Van Deventer, in favor of the last item, the City Manager be editor of the newsletter. Carried by unanimous vote. Absent: Camacho, Morgan. Discussion re Cecil Scaglione having been chosen to write the newsletter, the size of the letter, the size print, the pictures to be used, name of the newsletter, etc. There was discussion re the formation of a valid non—profit corporation for educational purposes as a means of eligibility for lower postal rates. This matter is to be presented to Council at a later date. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Dalla, the meeting be adjourned to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, 1980. Carried by unanimous vote. Absent: Camacho, Morgan. The meeting was adjourned at 5:12 p.m. CI OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA The foregoing minutes were approved by the City Council at their regular meeting of November 18, 1980. Corrections No Corrections 3 ICE A AY ��� CIT OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 11/7/80