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Environmental Commission adopts handbook edits tightening external-communications guidance
Summary
The commission voted to adopt edits to its handbook clarifying that any commission positions or externally directed materials must follow the city’s external-communications guidelines and removing a reference to the mayor’s office; the motion passed on roll call.
The City of Bloomington Environmental Commission voted to adopt a set of handbook edits clarifying how commissioners may communicate externally and tightening the lobby/external-communications language.
The handbook changes were proposed as a mix of legal strikes and commissioner additions, including language that external materials “must also comply with the current external communication guidelines established by the city of Bloomington,” and removal of a previous reference to the office of the mayor.
Commissioner Carrie Albbright, who led the discussion of report-and-handbook items, said the handbook text is intended to help new members understand the standard procedures for external communications and to codify current practice so that procedure is clear. Several commissioners said they supported keeping handbook language aligned with the city’s existing communications processes to avoid confusion.
After discussion and a procedural amendment, a motion to adopt the edits was made and seconded. The roll-call vote recorded seven yes votes, one no vote and one absence; the motion passed. Recorded votes included Justin Mester, Terry Albbright, Matt (surname in record), Adam Hudiker, Adam Martinez, Mitchell Owens and Carl Geyser voting yes; Shannon G. voting no; Heidi Brown recorded as absent.
The commission also agreed to forward questions and clarifications about mayoral-office communications to staff for any necessary follow-up with the mayor’s office or the communications department.
The commission moved on to remaining agenda items after the vote; next steps for the handbook include incorporating any final edits and making the approved version available to new commissioners and the public.
