Laserfiche WebLink
Elk River <br /> Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING <br /> TO: FROM: <br /> ERMU Commission Michelle Canterbury—Executive Administrative Manager <br /> MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: <br /> May 14, 2019 4.1 <br /> SUBJECT: <br /> Communications Policy <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: <br /> None. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> On October 10, 2017, the Commission adopted Governance Policy G.4p External <br /> Communications. The policy delegated responsibility to the General Manager to adopt <br /> appropriate management policies and procedures to ensure that ERMU management and staff <br /> is fully aware of their individual responsibilities and limitations with respect to information <br /> management and external communications. The management policies were to include a <br /> communications policy. <br /> DISCUSSION: <br /> In an effort to provide accurate and timely information in a professional manner in accordance <br /> with law regarding public information, records retention, and data practices, a communications <br /> policy has been developed. This internal management policy provides general guidelines for <br /> official ERMU external communications including: media relations, and electronic <br /> communication platforms such as ERMU's website and social media sites.The policy also <br /> addresses how to speak on behalf of ERMU, and guidelines for employees to consider when <br /> personally communicating with the public. <br /> As communication methods for social media are ever-emerging, staff has made an effort to <br /> keep the social media portion of the policy more generalized to accommodate the multitude of <br /> social networking, and video and photo sharing sites that we may choose to utilize.This portion <br /> of the policy also outlines the monitoring of social media sites, when and how to respond to <br /> comments, expectations for response time, and required disclaimers. <br /> Also addressed in the policy is who is authorized to communicate on behalf of ERMU in <br /> interviews, publications, news releases, on social media sites, and related communications, and <br /> how that authority may be designated. <br /> ATTACHMENTS: <br /> • ERMU Management Policy—A.26—Communications Policy—For Reference Only <br /> • ERMU Commission Policy—G.4p— External Communications— For Reference Only <br /> Page 1 of 1 <br /> 350 <br />