10-27-25 - City Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 46 7.3 Cellular Phones This policy is intended to define acceptable and unacceptable uses of City issued cellular phones. Its application is to ensure cellular phone usage is consistent with the best interests of the city without unnecessary restriction of employees in the conduct of their duties. This policy will be implemented to prevent the improper use or abuse of cellular phones and to ensure city employees exercise the highest standards of propriety in their use. Cellular phones are intended for the use of city employees in the conduct of their work for the city. Supervisors are responsible for the cellular phones assigned to their employees and will exercise discretion in their use. Nothing in this policy will limit supervisor discretion to allow reasonable and prudent personal use of such phones or equipment provided: • Its use in no way limits the conduct of work of the employee or other employees. • No personal profit is gained, or outside employment is served. • All employees are expected to follow applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding the use of cellphones at all times. Employees whose job responsibilities include regular or occasional driving and who are issued a cellular phone for business use are expected to refrain from using their phone while driving. Safety must come before all other concerns. Regardless of the circumstances and in accordance with Minnesota law, employees are required to use hands-free operations or pull off into a parking lot and safely stop the vehicle before placing or accepting a call. Employees are encouraged to refrain from discussion of complicated or emotional matters and to keep their eyes on the road while driving at all times. Special care should be taken in situations where there is traffic or inclement weather, or the employee is driving in an unfamiliar area. Hands-free equipment will be provided with city- issued phones to facilitate the provisions of this policy. • Reading/sending text messages, making or receiving phone calls, emailing, video calling, scrolling/typing, accessing a webpage, or using non-navigation applications while driving is strictly prohibited. o In accordance with State law, there is an exception to hands free cell phone operations to obtain emergency assistance to report a traffic accident, medical emergency or serious traffic hazard or prevent a crime from being committed. There is also a state law exception for authorized emergency vehicles while in the performance of official duties. • Employees who are charged with traffic violations resulting from the use of their cellular phone while driving will be solely responsible for all liabilities that result from such actions. See above “City Driving Policy” for more information on reporting driver’s license restrictions”. A monthly stipend of $30 will be provided to employees who use their personal mobile phone and need to make or receive work calls and respond to email while out of the office. Page 107 of 166