Council Taught Disclosure Lesson

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

— New City Council members got a crash course in the state’s Freedom of Information law during Tuesday’s council meeting.

City Attorney George Spence outlined regulations regarding interaction between council members and the importance of keeping public discussion in the public. He discouraged aldermen from initiating discussion on city matters outside of a public meeting.

“The thing is, doing it on purpose is just wrong,” Spence said.

At A Glance

New Police Officers

Bentonville Mayor Bob McCaslin swore in five new police officers at Tuesday’s meeting. The new officers are William Cooper, Dustin Epperly, Danielle Stanhope, Hank Brockmeyer and Scott Howell.

Source: Staff Report

Bill Burckart, Ward 3 alderman, asked about the emerging role of social media in the political discussion. He asked for clarification on posting city issues to Facebook.

Spence said he believes it’s fine to discuss issues with residents via social media, but aldermen should refrain from posting about city business on each other’s pages.

“Social media is the equivalent of the public square now,” Spence said. “It’s like standing on a soapbox in the square. If you’re doing it in that fashion, I think it’s fine. If you’re doing it to invite discussion that should be done in public, that’s wrong.”

Council members approved several items during the meeting with no discussion. One item amended the Fire Department’s standard operating guidelines. The changes will impact how personnel use a traffic light preemption system.

The system changes traffic lights to green for emergency vehicles as they approach an intersection. The new guidelines state the system should be used primarily when emergency vehicles are traveling with their lights and sirens active.

An exception is made for transporting patients with medical conditions that could be worsened by noise from sirens.

The guidelines also allow the department’s training room to be used by other city groups and nonprofit organizations.

The council approved a budget adjustment for a $220,000 donation from the Advertising and Promotion Commission. The money will go toward construction of the city’s Community Recreation Center.

The commission has promised $1 million for the project, according to David Wright, Parks and Recreation Department. The contributions will be paid out over three years.

Site work at the community center’s location is completed and the city is finishing fundraising efforts for construction of the project. The city announced a $1 million donation from the Walmart Foundation for the center last month.