HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 13281 (Personal Computing Devices Policy)RESOLUTION NO. 13281
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
RAFAEL ADOPTING A POLICY REGARDING THE USE OF PERSONAL
COMPUTING DEVICES DURING CITY COUNCIL, BOARD,
COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
WHEREAS, as part of the City's continuing efforts to reduce waste in connection with its
Climate Change Action Plan, the City Council wishes to allow Councilmembers and officers of
City Boards, Commissions and Committees to use personal computing devices and software to
receive, store and review meeting agenda materials during their meetings; and
WHEREAS, the City Council and its Boards, Commissions and Committees are required
to make decisions on a variety of matters impacting the City of San Rafael and its citizens,
including matters for which public hearings are held; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is committed to maintaining the City's compliance with
proper meeting decorum and laws, including the Ralph M. Brown Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to adopt a policy governing the use of personal
computing devices during City Council, Board, Commission and Committee meetings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of San Rafael
as follows:
1. "Personal computing devices" for purposes of this Resolution shall include cell phones
and "smart" phones, iPads, tablets, notebooks, netbooks, laptops and desktop computers, and other
similar devices.
2. During City Council meetings that are noticed and open to the public pursuant to the
Ralph M. Brown Act, personal computing devices may be used by the Mayor and City
Councilmembers for the receipt, storage, retrieval, review and notation of agenda reports and
materials provided to the City Council for such meetings. During Council meetings, the Mayor
and/or City Councilmembers are encouraged not to access the internet or City intranet using
personal computing devices if to do so would distract the official from his or her duties or create the
appearance of inattention to the proceedings. Instead, requests for information may be directed to
staff, whose responsibility it is to research and distribute information relevant to the proceedings.
Except in an emergency or for an urgent personal communication. the Mayor and/or City
Councilmembers shall not use personal computing devices to receive or send telephone calls.,
emails, text messages, social media site messages/postings, or other communications.
3. The foregoing policies shall also apply to City Board, Commission and Committee
members during their respective noticed public meetings, but shall not apply to City Council
subcommittee meetings.
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4. Any personal computing devices provided by the City to City Council, Board,
Commission or Committee members shall be the property of the City and shall be returned to the
City when that member is no longer serving in such capacity.
1, Esther Beime, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the San Rafael
City Council held on the 17`h day of January, 2012, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers: Connolly, Heller, Levine, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk