SeaTac city manager lays out digital communications plan; council endorses staff amplification of non‑campaign posts

City Manager Jonathan Yang presented a proposed communications plan to the SeaTac City Council that lays out a digital-first strategy, platform-specific content roles and a values-based review process for potentially controversial messages.

Yang said the plan centers the City of SeaTac website as the primary hub and assigns different roles to platforms such as LinkedIn (jobs and economic development), YouTube (longer-form informational content), Facebook (broad updates), X (real-time alerts) and Instagram (community engagement). "In the center is the City of SeaTac website, which I think is the place where people we expect people to come to our website," Yang told the council. He also said the city will continue a web refresh to improve accessibility and language options.

Yang described a process for routing communications requests through the communications team or the city manager—s office and proposed that items with potential legal risk or ambiguity be vetted with an appropriate committee or legal counsel before publication. "Where there is ambiguity... I would be proposing an approach where I would be collaborating with members of an appropriate subcommittee or sub quorum of council," he said.

Council members debated whether city staff should "amplify" (reshare or repost) individual council members' social-media posts. Councilmember Finlayson said he prefers continuing the prior practice of amplification and suggested "first come, first serve" when multiple council members post similar content. Councilmember Vinson asked that staff not repost personal posts he makes. Councilmember Sunai Niguse said she typically reshares official city posts and does not want personal council posts amplified. After discussion, Yang summarized a majority position that staff may amplify council posts that are timely and relevant to city business, with staff exercising caution about Public Disclosure Commission rules and the use of public facilities for campaign activity as election season approaches.

Council members suggested refinements to the plan—s stated values. Yang proposed three core narrative values drawn from the comprehensive plan: rich cultural diversity, connectivity and environmental sensitivity. Councilmember Kwan and others asked that the values list be broadened (suggestions included stewardship, economic vitality, fiscal stewardship and accountability). Yang said staff will return with a refined chart and a proposed charter document for council review before implementation.

The council also discussed a narrower set of topics staff might proactively address with values-based messaging, including immigration and refugee rights, reproductive rights, labor and environmental justice, and the effect of federal actions on local services. Yang said staff would cross-check messages with legal counsel when necessary. No formal vote was taken; the presentation will be refined and returned to the council for further review.

The council requested the communications team produce a chartering document reflecting tonight—s feedback and bring the refined plan back under the city manager—s communications item at a future meeting.