Las Cruces City Council Restricts Technology Use During Its Meetings

In a 4 to 3 vote, Las Cruces City Council passed a resolution banning text messaging, emailing, and playing games with a cell phone or computer during council meetings.

?The intent is to stop texting, stop getting emails, stop playing around on the computer, stop whatever it is we’re doing and just handle business,? Councillor Dolores Connor, who proposed the resolution, said.

Connor said the idea behind her one page resolution is to increase transparency with the public. In addition, eliminating technological distractions, Connor said, may actually shorten meetings.

Furthermore, Connor said, surfing the web violates the Open Meetings Act, since not all members will vote on an issue solely based on information as it is presented.

But other councilors argued, internet access is a helpful tool when it comes to informed decision-making.

?I agree people should pay attention during a meeting, but I don?t think it implicates the Open Meetings Act,? Councillor Olga Pedroza said. ?If I’m ?googling? during a meeting, I can share the information I get with everybody here.”

After several outspoken viewpoints against the ban, council amended the resolution to allow councilors to use the internet for research purposes only.