Lemon Grove Set to Launch Social Media Program

Get ready to “like” Lemon Grove.

The city is about to expand its reach by launching Facebook and Twitter accounts. Before that happens, however, the city must decide how and what kind of information gets posted and tweeted. The adoption of a social media policy (see PDF) is in front of the City Council at Tuesday’s meeting, starting at 6 p.m. at the Community Center, 3146 School Lane.

According to a staff report, when it enters the world of status updates and 140-character messages, the city intends communication to be outbound only. As part of the social media policy, comments and wall posts will not be allowed.

The one-way communication and other guidelines were developed to protect the city’s interests, and the safety of the public, according to Keri Yednak, the city’s marketing specialist. The policy states the goal is to use social media as an additional tool to disseminate information focused on city issues, projects, news and events, but will not serve as a discussion forum for the public.

All the city’s Facebook and Twitter activity will be overseen by City Manager Graham Mitchell, or a staff member he appoints.

In other business tonight, Councilman George Gastil will begin his term as Mayor Pro Tem, and councilmembers will discuss adjustments proposed to the Master Fee Schedule, and consider separate ordinances—one that will “extend the period to waive certain dedication and public improvement requirements related to development in the commercial, industrial and manufacturing zoned areas of the City;” and another that will allow the city to participate in the state’s uniform bidding process established under the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act.