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Council moves to restrict electronic message board to municipal use; lawyer flags viewpoint concerns
Summary
Staff recommended municipal-only use of the city's electronic message board to avoid legal risks tied to viewpoint discrimination; the city attorney advised a municipal-only policy reduces legal exposure, and council discussed an effective-date notification to nonprofits.
Andy presented proposed revisions to the city's electronic message-board policy, recommending the sign be restricted to municipal use and that communications staff maintain standard operating procedures for handling outside requests.
The city attorney advised that limiting outside use reduces the risk of viewpoint-discrimination claims: "You're generally okay unless you engage in viewpoint discrimination," he said, recommending a clear municipal-use policy. Councilmembers discussed notifying nonprofits and setting an effective date so organizations that regularly request placement on the sign have time to adapt.
