Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Communications Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council debate: who controls the city contact list for a council newsletter?
Summary
During the workshop Council Member Briana objected to council control of the municipal contact list, arguing resident emails should remain with the communications director; the council agreed content can be provided to the communications director rather than creating a separate constant contact account.
Council members debated whether the council should set up a separate Constant Contact account for a council newsletter or provide content to the city’s communications director for distribution.
Council Member Briana expressed strong objection to giving any single elected official direct access to the city’s resident email list. “I am voicing real concern over this is city data that I don't think belongs in the hand of any elected official... I don't believe that the data, the emails and names that people give to the city to get information from the city should be shared with a single elected official, mayor included,” she said.
Other council members said their intent was not to create an independent database but to provide a short council-written blurb to the communications director for inclusion in the existing city newsletter. The chair and staff clarified that if the council wanted a separate edition, residents would need to opt in to a second mailing list because legal and privacy constraints prevent copying the city account database into a separate account without explicit consent.
The council reached a practical compromise: the chair or council can draft content, and the communications director will continue to publish it through the city’s official Constant Contact account; staff will provide details on fees and account-management options. Council Member Briana said she supports publishing through the communications director rather than giving individual council members direct access to resident contact lists.
Next steps: staff will confirm any technical or legal constraints needed to create separate sign-ups and will provide instructions about opt-in procedures if the council wishes to pursue a distinct mailing list.
