Doral tightens rules on city seal and logo; council approves limits after free‑speech questions

The Doral City Council voted Oct. 8 to amend its code to limit use of the city seal and logo, clarifying that the seal is reserved for formal city communications and cannot be used to endorse or disparage ballot measures, candidates or elected colleagues.

Mayor Christie Fraga said the changes were needed because city letterhead and email blasts had, in some cases, been used in ways that staff considered misleading or disparaging. The ordinance adds language to Chapter 2 to prohibit using the city seal or logo in correspondence, printed materials or electronic communications distributed in favor of or against a ballot measure or candidate, or to disparage a council member or staff.

Vice Mayor Maureen Porras asked whether the rules would prevent council members from using the logo to show opposition to an official position. The city attorney and the mayor responded that the seal and logo are city property and using them can mislead residents into believing the city officially endorses a position; the mayor said letterhead may be appropriate for certain official events but the seal should not be used on promotional blasts that express a personal position. "The seal is used as the very formal communication by the city," the mayor said.

Council approved the ordinance on second reading. The roll call recorded two 'No' votes: Councilwoman Cabral and Vice Mayor Porras; the remaining members voted 'Yes.' The ordinance is intended to reduce confusion about whether a communication represents a personal view or an official city position and to prevent use of city insignia for partisan or disparaging purposes.