09-26-2012 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I wrote my master's capstone paper on social media and cities. I found that Eden Prairie does a particularly good job of managing their page and have been able to tackle controversial issues through that site. It's interesting if you look back to when it snowed —they were able to manage public expectations through that page and had positive feedback even though people's roads were socked in. Luke Fischer, City of Watertown We ventured into this arena about 9 months ago (I think). There are legal free speech issues and data retention issues here so be careful. MCIT offered training on it at one of our most recent conferences. Sonya Guggemos was the presenter. I wonder if LMCIT would have any similar guidance. That said, the attorneys generally advise that the safest thing to do is nothing. I saw this as one of our first forays into actively pushing info out the door, instead of the more passive wait -til -they- come -to -us on our website. We do not allow comments, but because Facebook no longer allows you to withhold comments, we put a disclaimer on our page that says we don't accept comments at all and that we will delete any that get posted, regardless of content. the free speech issue is, if you take comments, you cannot filter them based on the content of the speech. If you create a public forum, it must be public. By announcing we do not take comments, we are attempting to position ourselves as not having set up a public forum and that we are deleting everything, regardless of the content. The data practices issues are around data retention. Is there a requirement for you to take a snapshot of the page every day and retain that? It's not entirely clear, but what is clear is that the Data Practices Act has not kept up with evolving technology. Crow Wing County is on both Facebook and Twitter, which can be accessed via our website: www.co.crow- wing.mn.us Timothy J. Houle, Crow Wing County The City of Barnesville Facebook page has been up and running for about 6 months. We do allow comments and have only gotten one or two and they have been positive. Michael Rietz, City of Barnesville Crystal uses Facebook for the Police and Recreation departments. We try to have the settings so the public can't comment – but sometimes that doesn't work so staff has to watch and remove continents if /when they come in. It is only for staff messages out – no politicians. Overall, it's been fine – no big deal. It does take a staff person some time to manage it – and that person has to be dedicated to it – it can't be when they have a moment. Anne Norris, Crystal 3 72