HomeMy WebLinkAbout1544RESOLUTION NO. I 5 L/L/
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the
City of Kent, Washington, establishing a policy for the
use of the City's government access cable television
channel for election information for the positions of
Kent City Council Member, Mayor, and for certain
ballot measures placed before the voters.
WHEREAS, the positions of Mayor and City Councilmember are
elected positions, and;
WHEREAS, measures seeking voter approval of such items as excess
property tax levies for the city are occasionally placed on the ballot for consideration,
and;
WHEREAS, the electorate votes every two years for candidates
seeking election to the position of City Councilmember, and every four years for
candidates seeking the office of Mayor, and;
WHEREAS, the Kent City Council believes in the importance of an
informed electorate, and;
WHEREAS, the City of Kent operates a government access cable
television channel for the purpose of informing citizens about city activities, and;
WHEREAS, the government access channel may be used to inform
citizens about election issues; NOW, THEREFORE,
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THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT, WASHINGTON
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. POLICY STATEMENT. It is the policy of the City of
Kent that the City's government access cable television channel shall be utilized to
inform the voters on City of Kent ballot measures including elections to the positions
of Mayor, City Councilmember, and ballot measures placed on the ballot by action of
the Kent City Council or by initiative or referendum of the voters.
SECTION 2. INFORMATION ON CITY ELECTIONS. At each
regular or special election of the City of Kent, the city shall prepare an election
information videotape to be telecast on the city's government access cable television
channel. The program shall be video taped by City of Kent video technicians utilizing
city equipment and facilities as follows:
A. The video shall consist of four ( 4) minute presentations by each
candidate for the position of City Councilmember. Each candidate for Mayor shall
have the opportunity to prepare a six ( 6) minute presentation. Candidates may use this
time to introduce themselves and present their qualifications to the voters.
B. Candidate presentations shall be video taped in the two week period
following the official filing deadline for office. Each candidate will be contacted by
Kent staff to arrange a convenient time for video taping. Candidates will be permitted
no more than three takes, selecting one for presentation.
C. Taped presentations of all candidates whose names will appear on the
printed primary ballot will be assembled into one program grouped by position sought.
This program will then be shown on the city's government access television channel
beginning one month prior to the primary election, and shall run at least once each day
at varying times of the day until the day before the primary election. Upon
certification of candidates winning the primary election and moving on to the general
election, those candidates not proceeding to the general election shall have their taped
presentations removed from the program. The tapes of all remaining candidates
whose names will appear on the printed general election ballot shall be shown on the
city's government access television channel at varying times of the day beginning one
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month before the general election until the day before the election at which time the
presentations shall be removed from the city's television programming.
D. Ballot measures may have a "vote yes" committee, and a "vote no"
committee prepare three minute presentations representing their respective positions
on the measure. Each side will then have the opportunity to present a two minute
rebuttal to the other side's statement. The order of presentation and rebuttal shall be
determined by lot. Video taping shall be conducted as outlined above. The
presentations of each side shall be shown at least once each day at varying times of the
day beginning one month before the election in which the measure will be voted upon,
and shall terminate one day before the election.
SECTION 3. INFORMATION ON BALLOT MEASURES. The City
of Kent may prepare an informational video tape on a ballot measure to be shown on
the city's government access television channel. The presentation must be
informational only, and shall not advocate for or against any ballot measure.
SECTION 4. ENCOURAGEMENT TO VOTE. The City of Kent
may prepare for broadcast on the city's government access television channel video
tapes encouraging individuals to register to vote, and to vote in primary, general or
special elections.
SECTION 5. CANDIDATE FORUMS. Candidate forums conducted
by citizen groups, associations, or organizations may be video taped for presentation
on the city's government access television channel under certain conditions. Any
group wishing to have its candidates forum video taped for presentation must submit a
request to the city's Director oflnformation Services on a form to be supplied by the
director not later than thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled forum of its desire to have
the forum taped. The director shall then determine if appropriate technical staff is
available at the time requested, and the suitability of the location selected for video
taping considering both audio and video production requirements. The director shall
notify the applicant within one week of making application whether or not the city will
be able to accommodate the request.
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Should a candidate forum be video taped for later presentation, the director
shall schedule the forum to be shown at varying times of the day prior to the election
for a period not to exceed two (2) weeks.
SECTION 6. FORMAT AND SCHEDULE MODIFICATIONS. The
format and schedules of taped presentations may be modified by City staff as
necessary, consistent with the intent of this resolution, to meet staffing and other
scheduling demands.
SECTION 7. Recitals Incor.porated. The recitals set forth in this
resolution are hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
SECTION 8. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph,
sentence, clause, or phrase of this resolution is declared unconstitutional or invalid for
any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this
resolution.
SECTION 9. Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect and be
in force immediately upon its passage.
PASS ED at a regular open public meeting by the City Council of the City
ofKent, Washington, this /5 day of ~ ~ , 1999.
CONCURRED in by the Mayor of the City of Kent this I 5 day of
-~-rr ...... Ll.M"'"'-.... u-===--------'' 1999.
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ATTEST:
ERA. LUBOVICH, CITY TTORNEY
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of ResolutioJLNO.
/5 tft./ passed by the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, the I 5 day
of r ,1999.
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