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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO <br />CITY COUNCIL RULES AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE <br />December 4, 2008 <br />4:00 - 5:30 p.m. <br />San Leandro City Hall <br />835 East 14th Street <br />San Leandro, California <br />(City Manager's Large Conference Room) <br />HIGHLIGHTS <br />Committee Members <br />present: Mayor Tony Santos (Chair), Vice Mayor Bill Stephens, Councilmember <br />Diana Souza <br />City Staff present: Marian Handa, Steve Hollister, Carolyn Knudtson, Richard Pio Roda <br />Public present: Karen Holzmeister <br />Chair Santos called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. <br />1. Continued Discussion Regarding Use of City Facilities for Political Activities <br />Assistant City Attorney Richard Pio Roda summarized the information contained in the <br />October 22, 2008 memorandum to the Committee regarding the use of City facilities by <br />candidates. A City facility made available for public use constitutes a designated public forum. <br />The City can impose reasonable time, place and manner restrictions on the use of such public <br />facilities; however, it is limited in its ability to impose content-based restrictions, such as <br />restrictions on the use of City facilities by candidates for political purposes. It maybe legally <br />defensible to restrict campaign activity at events which have a targeted focus or purpose, such <br />as a senior health fair or youth job fair. However, restricting such activity at City sponsored <br />events that are open to the broader public, such as the Cherry Festival or Farmers Market, may <br />violate free speech protections. The City Attorney's Office has advised creating free speech <br />zones at these types of events, where campaign activity maybe conducted. <br />Recreation and Human Services Director Carolyn Knudtson commented that her staff has been <br />following the City Attorney's Office guidelines when approving applications for participation <br />at various City events. <br />