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Special election Nov. 4; commissioners and staff vow to address social-media misinformation
Summary
The commission confirmed canvassing-board members for the Nov. 4 charter-review special election and discussed social-media posts alleging Sunshine Law violations and other falsehoods; the city attorney said private conversations with state representatives are not per se Sunshine violations and staff will pursue corrections where appropriate.
City Clerk told the commission that the canvassing board for the Nov. 4 special election will include the clerk plus two commissioners not on the ballot; commissioners volunteered to serve and staff confirmed logistics. Several speakers from the charter-review committee urged residents to watch recorded meetings before voting, and committee chairs encouraged turnout on Nov. 4.
Commissioners and the city attorney addressed a wave of social-media posts the commission described as misleading or defamatory about the charter review and alleged Sunshine Law breaches. The city attorney explained the Sunshine Law applies to two or more members of the same board and that private, one-on-one conversations with state representatives or their aides do not automatically trigger Sunshine violations; public-records obligations exist only where documents are created. The commission said staff will send follow-up letters and consider options to correct demonstrably false posts; commissioners discussed whether staff resources should monitor and post clarifications on social media. The supervisor of elections estimated the special election cost at about $20,000; the commission adjourned after finishing business.
