File #: BILL NO. 18-200    Name:
Type: Ordinance - Committee Status: Passed
File created: 8/28/2018 In control: City Council - Regular Session
On agenda: 12/4/2018 Final action: 12/4/2018
Title: An Ordinance amending Article I. In General., of Chapter 12. Elections., of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, by enacting a new Section 12-4 Use of City Staff and resources prior to an election., to generally prohibit participation by staff, expenditure of City funds, and use of City resources related to any district specific forum from and after February 1 of any year in which a General Municipal Election is to be held. (Rules Committee 11/1/18)
Attachments: 1. Ordinance

Title

An Ordinance amending Article I. In General., of Chapter 12. Elections., of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, by enacting a new Section 12-4 Use of City Staff and resources prior to an election., to generally prohibit participation by staff, expenditure of City funds, and use of City resources related to any district specific forum from and after February 1 of any year in which a General Municipal Election is to be held. (Rules Committee 11/1/18)

Body

At its September meeting the City Council Rules Committee asked that staff provide some draft language related to the possibility of restricting certain types of communications and forums in the period prior to a City Council election.  Specifically the Committee was seeking language that would provent Councilmembers from conducting a public forum specific to an individual City Council District.  At its meeting on November 1, 2018 staff presented a draft ordinance that would prohibit staff from appearing in official capacity at a district forum beginning on February 1 in any year that a municipal election will be held.  The ordinance also prohibits any city resources, equipment or funds to be used in support of the forum.  Finally, staff members may attend in their personal capacity but cnnot be asked to provide information on behalf of the City at any such forum.  After discussion the Committee recommended approval by a vote of 4-0.

 

Proposed City Council Motion:

 

FIRST MOTION:  I move for second reading of An Ordinance amending Article I. In General., of Chapter 12. Elections., of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, by enacting a new Section 12-4 Use of City Staff and resources prior to an election., to generally prohibit participation by staff, expenditure of City funds, and use of City resources related to any district specific forum from and after February 1 of any year in which a General Municipal Election is to be held.

 

SECOND MOTION:  I move for adoption of An Ordinance amending Article I. In General., of Chapter 12. Elections., of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, by enacting a new Section 12-4 Use of City Staff and resources prior to an election., to generally prohibit participation by staff, expenditure of City funds, and use of City resources related to any district specific forum from and after February 1 of any year in which a General Municipal Election is to be held.

 

Committee Recommendation

Committee Recommendation:  At the November 1, 2018 meeting of the City Council Rules Committe - Motion by Councilmember Edson, seconded by Councilmember Forte to recommend approval of:  An Ordinance amending Article I. In General., of Chapter 12. Elections., of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, by enacting a new Section 12-4 Use of City Staff and resources prior to an election., to generally prohibit participation by staff, expenditure of City funds, and use of City resources related to any district specific forum from and after February 1 of any year in which a General Municipal Election is to be held.  The vote was unanimous (4-0)

 

 

Presenter

Brian W. Head, City Attorney