§ 2-1-49. COMMUNICATIONS USING ELECTRONIC DEVICES.

(A)

In this section, "electronic communications" means communications using an electronic device to transmit text. This section does not apply to voice communications. This section does not, by reverse implication, allow voice communications that are prohibited by Texas Government Code, Chapter 551 ( Open Meetings Act ) or Subsection (D) of Section 2-1-3 ( Boards Established ).

(B)

The city clerk shall establish and maintain an electronic mail (e-mail) system for the use of City board members in conducting board business. The city manager shall provide the necessary technical support.

(C)

Except as provided in this subsection, a City board member shall use the City e-mail account provided by the city clerk under Subsection (B) for all electronic communications related to the member's service as a board member.

(1)

Before the city clerk may furnish a City e-mail account to a board member, the member must receive training on the use of the account, and accept the terms of a user agreement to be prescribed by ordinance.

(2)

If a board member receives a communication related to the member's service as a board member on a non- City account, the member shall promptly forward the communication to the City account furnished to the member.

(3)

A board member who does not comply with the training requirement prescribed in Subsection (B)(8) of Section 2-1-23 ( Training ), or does not accept the terms of the user agreement, may not have access to a City e-mail account. A board member who does not have access to a City e-mail account may not use electronic devices for communications related to board business.

(a)

Except as provided by (b), a board member who uses electronic devices for communications related to board business in violation of this subsection automatically vacates the member's position. A board member who vacates a position under this subsection does not hold over under Section 2-1-27 ( Vacancy and Hold Over Capacity ).

(b)

This subsection does not prohibit a City employee who is assigned to support a board as a job duty from contacting a board member by telephone or e-mail or prohibit the board member from responding to a communication initiated by the liaison.

Source: Ord. 20120802-014; Ord. 20120823-004; Ord. No. 20141211-204, Pt. 6, 12-22-14 .