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Milton council debates recording at city facilities, weighs whether to adopt policy
Summary
Council members discussed whether people may record videos inside city-owned facilities, agreed that non-disruptive filming in public spaces is allowed but expressed concern for staff comfort and possible implied endorsement when city signage is used; the council asked staff and the city attorney to consider whether a written policy is needed.
Council members and staff debated Jan. 13 whether members of the public may record videos in city facilities and whether Milton should adopt a written policy governing such activity.
Councilman Cusack opened the item seeking clarity after a video was filmed in a city facility. City Manager Ed Spears said the building’s public spaces are generally available for filming as long as people do not disrupt operations. “As long as they’re not causing a disturbance or impacting operations,” Spears said, “they can walk in tomorrow and shoot a video.”
Several councilmembers said staff comfort matters when members of the public seek interviews with city employees; councilmembers suggested that staff interviews be routed through the city manager or public information officer so employees are not put on the spot. Councilman Pechek and others warned against using the city backdrop in a way that could imply the city endorses a speaker or business.
Council members acknowledged first-amendment protections for recording in public spaces but discussed reasonable limitations: prohibiting filming that targets individual employees without consent, preventing political endorsements using city property and ensuring requests that involve staff are coordinated. Some said a written policy could help the public understand expectations; others called for case-by-case common-sense treatment.
The council did not adopt a formal policy at the meeting but asked staff and legal counsel to review the issue and report back if a written policy is advisable.
