R-096-14 City policy regarding use of City facilities and resources for Political Campaign activities (10.7.14)

Browse Search

CITY POLICY REGARDING USE OF CITY FACILITIES AND RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES Purpose City staff and facilities have been specifically designated for purposes in service of the public. The purpose of this policy is to prevent the use of the City's facilities and resources for political campaign activities. II. Limited Use of City Property and Facilities In addition to conducting the official business of the City, some City facilities may be made available on a space -available basis to non-profit community organizations for educational, civic, and social purposes. Uses must be compatible with the schedule, operating hours, and purpose of the facility, subject to any applicable facility use fee and the approval of the City Manager or the City Manager's designee. Activities that interfere with or disrupt the primary designated purposes and functions of City facilities, such as soliciting, are prohibited on City property. Further, pursuant to California Government Code, Section 3207, political campaigning and related activities are deemed to be contrary to the designated purposes and functions of City facilities and are, therefore, prohibited on City property. III. Prohibited Use of Public Facilities and Resources for Influencing Elections Political candidates and political committees are prohibited from using public resources under the City's control to influence voters in an election. (Stanson v. Mott (1976) 17 Cal.3d 206.) Public resources include any City property, including buildings, parks, facilities, funds, equipment, telephones, supplies, computers and vehicles. Public resources also include the time and attention of City staff during their work hours. City property shall not be used for political campaign activities. For purposes of this Policy, "political campaign activities" shall include the following: (A) any activity that relates to the election or defeat of any candidate or potential candidate for public office or of a ballot measure; (B) any activity undertaken to influence the passage, defeat or revision of any local, state or federal legislation or policy; (C) any activity related to political lobbying; (D) any activity related to collecting or soliciting political contributions; (E) any activity related to making political speeches, recruiting for political meetings or rallies, posting of campaign signs or depositing or distributing political literature; and