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Home My WebLink About5K - Website Link Policy d PRl~ 1::.n\ 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue 5.E. U "W tr1 Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 ~NNES~ CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DECEMBER 18, 2006 5K MICHAEL T. PETERSON, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR FRANK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A WEBSITE LINK POLICY THAT REGULATES WHICH ENTITIES CAN BE LINKED THROUGH THE CITY'S WEBSITE, SUCH AS NON-PROFIT AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AND TO HAVE THAT POLICY AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. DISCUSSION: Introduction: This Resolution is to approve the adoption of a website link policy regarding the City of Prior Lake website. Historv: The City has operated a website for years. Recently, there was a request for a web link, which is the placement of a website address on the City's website that allows the user to go directly to the secondary site. Staff decided to look at whether the site that requested a link had appropriate content to be associated with the City. In keeping with the City's government purpose, the city does not promote commercial enterprises, religious entities, the endorsement of political content or a particular political issue. Many websites include advertising and some forums contain political content or other inappropriate or inaccurate comments. We conducted a survey of other city and county website link policy's to determine what would be appropriate for the City of Prior Lake. We then formulated a policy in keeping with other governmental entities and the needs of the City. The policy was discussed with the Communications Advisory Committee, and they recommended the Council approve the policy. Current Circumstances: Currently, the city website has links under two headings: Community Partners and Government Partners. Such organizations include the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce and Scott County's website. The (attached) policy states that in keeping with our government purpose, the City of Prior Lake website does not offer links to commercial enterprises, religious entities, and organizations not in keeping with the criteria as outlined in the policy. ISSUES: The city should be concerned with providing website links to organizations or commercial sites that allow political, religious, commercial, or other inappropriate content, or those that include advertising or political forums that may compromise the website's governmental purpose. These other websites may allow postings from anonymous outside sources or may feature commercial advertising not in keeping with the City's Mission. www.cityofpriorlake.com 1:\CQUNCILIAGNRPTS\2006\121806 Weblink Policy.D<p:lhone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245 The adoption of a Website Link Policy will define criteria for consideration of a request for a link and allows the city to maintain quality control. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Approval of this policy will have little or no financial impact. There is a modest cost in staff time spent creating the policy, making it available on the website, and possibly updating it from time to time. ALTERNATIVES: The City Council has the following alternatives: 1. Adopt the Website Link Policy as stated and have it posted on the city's website. 2. Approved an amended link policy and direct staff to write a new document to be posted online. 3. Take no action or defer this item and provide staff with specific direction. Staff recommends Alternative #1. RECOMMENDED MOTION: A motion and second to adopt a resolution approving the website link policy regulating which entities can be linked through the city's website and to have that policy available on the website. Reviewed by: 1:\COUNCILIAGNRPTS\2006\121 B06 Weblink POlicy,DOC 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 RESOLUTION 06-xxx A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A WEBSITE LINK POLICY Motion By: Second By: WHEREAS, the City of Prior lake operates a website to provide information about the community via the internet, and other entities can link to the City website to provide easy access, and it is appropriate for the City to facilitate access to some sites but inappropriate for other sites, and the City Council desires that a policy be established which clearly delineates, for public information purposes, the City's policy with respect to website linking. WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA as follows: 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein. 2. The City of Prior lake Website Links Policy, dated December 18, 2006, is hereby approved. 3. The staff is directed to publicize the policy as appropriate for public information purposes. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF DECEMBER, 2006. ' YES NO Haugen Dornbush Erickson LeMair Millar Haugen Dornbush Erickson LeMair Millar Frank Boyles, City Manager \'/".t:i~stt~riorlake.com Phone 952.447.4230 /. Fax 952.447.4245 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 City of Prior lake Website link Policy Adopted: December 18, 2006 Link Policy The purpose of the City of Prior Lake website is to provide information to the public from the City of Prior Lake about municipal government and services; it is not intended to be a public forum. An entity or organization interested in having a link on the City of Prior Lake website must fall into one of the categories enumerated below. The City of Prior Lake will not approve links to its website for organization or individuals that do not meet the criteria. 1. Ad hoc committees appointed by the City Council; 2. Quasi-government entities, such as watershed and park districts that include Prior Lake; 3. Other government entities; 4. Public education institutions; 5. Public utilities that serve Prior Lake; 6. Non-profit Prior Lake civic, educational, athletic and recreational organizations; 7. Athletic Associations that serve Prior Lake and work collaboratively with the Prior Lake Park and Recreation Department to provide athletic services for Prior Lake residents. link Disclaimer The City of Prior Lake is not responsible for and does not endorse the information on any linked website. Nor does the City of Prior Lake guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information on those sites. The City of Prior Lake is not liable for defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of linked sites. The links from this site to other sites on the World Wide Web do not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation on the part of the City of Prior Lake. Establishment of Link Any governmental entity, quasi governmental entity, public service, non profit Prior Lake organization, civic, educational, athletic or recreational organization or entity seeking to establish a link from the Prior Lake website to its website shall make a request in writing to the City's Communications Coordinator at 952-447-9804, mtoetersonai'-citvoforiorlake.com. The written request shall describe the organization or entity's mission. The City reserves sole and exclusive right to determine whether an organization or entity meets the enumerated criteria, and whether to approve the link. The City also reserves the sole and exclusive authority to discontinue Website linkage based upon this policy as interpreted by the Communication Coordinator. www.cityofpriorlake.com I.ISt:, r L:vJ!.\'tu::"L r ,L"Jvv Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245 Web Policy Disclaimer The City of Prior Lake has made every effort to insure the accuracy of the information provided on its website. However, due to the possibility of unauthorized modification of the data, transmission errors, HTML browser incompatibilities, human error, changes made since the last update to the website or other aspects of electronic communication that are beyond the City's control, the City does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided on its website and is not liable for reliance on this information. Please contact the City of Prior Lake at 952-447-9800, to verify the accuracy of the data. Trademark/Copyright The City of Prior Lake logo is registered with the Secretary of State for exclusive use by the City of Prior Lake for official city government purposes. Any other use is prohibited by law. All art, banners, buttons and graphics on this web site are original and are a trademark of the City of Prior Lake. Duplication of art, banners and buttons is prohibited. All rights reserved. For information or use permission, contact the City's Communications Coordinator at 952-447- 9804, mtoeterson (ci)citvoforiorlake. com. Re-use or re-publishing of the text in this website is allowed. If re-publishing materials from this website, this website should be credited as the source and the utmost care should be taken to ensure accuracy.