New city policy restricts communication with the press
By Brandi Makuski
The city council has unanimously approved a new media relations policy that restricts communication with the press.
The policy, which was drafted by Council President Meleesa Johnson, was introduced to the city council in June. It formalizes the mayor’s position as Public Information Officer for the city, and creates a list of “authorized city spokespersons.”
“How it came about, council wasn’t notified in advance of having the press notified in the unfortunate situation of [former] Chief Skibba,” Johnson said. “And it seems to me that we needed some sort of formal policy that we use consistently with notification to the alders and the media.”
Johnson said since discussing the policy with Mayor Mike Wiza, “all the department heads and the mayor have worked diligently to inform the council prior to the issuance of a press release.”
Of the new policy, Councilwoman Cindy Nebel said she thought it was a good idea, making it “much easier to not listen to rumors.”
Nebel moved to approve the new policy, with a second from Councilwoman Mary Kneebone (District 7). The policy passed unanimously without any further discussion.
Under the new policy, the mayor’s office is the official Public Information Officer for the city. When unavailable, the mayor’s office can designate someone to act in his place.
The list of authorized city spokespersons includes the mayor and member of the council, the city attorney, all department heads, PIOs for the police and fire departments, and city employees with expertise on a specific issue.
When asked about the policy before the meeting, Wiza explained it was “just putting into writing what we currently practice.”
The policy calls for members of the press “be treated like [sic] a customer of the city, and all city employees or officials who engage with the press shall do so in a courteous, polite, and professional manner.”
Under the policy, members of the press who contact any member of city staff “will be referred immediately to their department director who, in turn, will immediately forward the contact to the City PIO for response.”
“If the City PIO determines that the city’s goal can best be achieved by having someone with more background or expertise speak for the city on a particular topic, he or she may designate one of the authorized spokespersons to assist with, or give the city’s response,” the policy reads.
Inquiries from the news media should be given a “high priority” and responded to as quickly as possible under the new policy.
The policy also requires that each member of the council is notified by email of the communication, to include the city’s response, as well as all press releases.
The most recent press release from Wiza’s office was on July 27, containing an invitation to the ribbon-cutting of the new off-leash pet beach at Mead Park.
