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Councilmember urges publishing communications plan, proposes criteria for city newsletter
Summary
A councilmember asked that the city post rules for the e-newsletter and communications plan online and proposed objective eligibility criteria (open to the public, alignment with city goals, no commercial or campaign activity) for city-promoted events.
Councilmember Susannes and other councilmembers told the June 15 meeting they want clearer, publicly available rules for the city’s e-newsletter and communications plan to reduce confusion about what the city will promote.
"It's not easy for the public... it would be good to put out whatever the policy is up on the website," Councilman Susannes said, urging that the communications committee's proposed rules be made accessible before formal ratification.
During discussion a councilmember proposed specific criteria for promotional eligibility: an event must be open to the general public or a significant portion of the Lake Bluff community, align with city goals (community engagement, public safety education, economic development, cultural enrichment, health and civic participation), not promote commercial sales or political campaigns, provide timely information from the sponsor, and comply with ordinances and permits.
Members also recommended clarifying the plan’s relationship to public-records and FOIA requirements so residents understand which materials are subject to FOIA timelines and which are public information. Staff agreed to circulate committee recommendations and return with clearer language for council consideration.
Next steps: communications committee to prepare recommended language, staff to post relevant information and proposed criteria for council review.
