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Council advances first reading of ordinance limiting use of city seal and logo
Summary
Takoma Park council gave first reading to an ordinance that clarifies custodianship of the city seal and logo, excludes the city flag from the code's scope, and establishes civil and criminal penalties for improper use; staff described edits made after prior work-session feedback.
Takoma Park’s City Council advanced on first reading an ordinance that amends city code governing use of the city seal and logos.
Deputy City Manager Eubanks reviewed changes made following the prior work session: the amendment will not be interpreted to apply to the city flag or flag presentations; the city clerk will be designated custodian of the city seal and may delegate custodial responsibilities; the chief of police will be custodian for the park police logo; and written approval will be required for use of the seal or logo.
The amendment also sets out enforcement options for improper use. Staff said the code will allow the city flexibility to treat violations as a class A municipal infraction (a $500 fine for an initial offense) or as a class B misdemeanor, providing multiple enforcement pathways.
Council moved and seconded the ordinance for first reading; the clerk then called the roll and the first-reading motion carried. Council members asked no substantive points after the staff recap and deferred further technical edits to staff and the clerk’s office.
The ordinance will return for a second reading and final adoption at a future meeting; staff indicated that clarifying language was added to address First Amendment concerns and to explicitly exclude the city flag from the ordinance’s ambit.
