HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/31/1990 Adjourned Meeting 72 •
JULY 31, 1990
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
ADJOURNED MEETING
The City-Council met.in,sess-ion on this date at 1:30 P.M. in the
YCTV ,studio .'t :o .attend'a ATodia Workshop_. Mayor Pat Berndt
p s_
res iding, 'Council member Bernard Sims :Council member`
Lynn Buchanan present °after 2:15, P.M., Council member George
Pechtel present after 4:20 P.M., and Council member Skip Semon
present after 4:40 P.M. Workshop presenters Karen Allen, Betty
McCarthy and Wendy Warren, City Manager Zais, Community and
Economic Development Director Rice, City Clerk Roberts and Deputy
City Clerk Lovell also present.
The workshop speakers summarized the various needs of newspapers,
television, and radio, and offered suggestions to help Council
- members- -get their-message to- the community. Ms. Warren stressed
the need for effective, honest and complete information. City
Manager Zais said that the City does not have a policy regarding
who may communicate with the media, however, questions are
referred - - to -- the -- most - - -- informed employees. The workshop provided
information regarding interview techniques, news releases and
dealing with confrontational reporters.
Mayor Berndt asked Council members their opinions on the release
- of informat -ion to the press. -The media-has- requested copies of
draft reports and permission to attend staff meetings. It has
been City policy not to release.informa.tion to the media until it
has been distributed to Council members.- Council member Semon
said that he would be disappointed to read or hear about an issue
from another source before he is informed. City Manager Zais is
satisfied with current policy, and said he cannot manage getting
material ready for Council and deal with the media at the same
time. It was the consensus of the Council to continue the current
policy regarding release of information to the media.
Ms. Warren invited the Council members to schedule time to utilize
the studio facilities and offered to evaluate their techniques.
She also asked that Council members advise her if. they have any
ideas for programs that YCTV might be able to produce for them.
On behalf of the Council, Mayor Berndt expressed her appreciation
for the high quality of the presentation.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P.M.
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