El Paso City Council kills item that would ban cellphones for members during meetings
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – On Tuesday, the El Paso City Council did not second an item that would ban cellphones and electronic devices on the dais during meetings.
District 7 Representative Lily Limón proposed the item after community members expressed frustrations during public comment. People said they felt disrespected as mayor and council were not paying attention to the speakers because they were focused on their phones, according to the item.
The City of El Paso Code of Conduct said during public meetings, council members must "practice civility, professionalism, and decorum during discussions and debate."
It also says council members must be respectful of everyone's time.
The item said council members being on their phones is a "clear violation of the Open Meetings Act and goes against our rules of conduct."
Council's reason for not taking the item was that there are already guidelines in place to prevent council members from being on their phones.
Rep. Limón asked El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson how he's enforcing those rules.
"This is not to implement a new rule. This is simply the question now, mayor to you becomes, how are we going to enforce that rule that we have," Limón asked.
"Well, the the answer is that we already have rules of order that address this. And and if I see it happening, I will certainly address it on the dias," Mayor Johnson answered.
During public comment on the item, one community member pointed out City Attorney Karla Nieman for being on her cellphone during meetings for personal use.
"I have photographs a few years ago, prior to when those reservations covers report when Karla Nieman was sitting there on scrolling Facebook and on messenger. And I sat there in the peanut gallery making comments behind her, 'Facebook? Is that what we pay you for,?'" someone said during public comment.
Mayor Johnson pointed out Section 16 of the Rules of Order.
"Electronic devices within Council chambers shall be used in accordance with all established City practices and procedures and as directed by Information Technology Department staff providing support services during a meeting.
City staff, other than the dignitary protection officers, and members of the public shall turn off the signals of all pagers, cellular telephones and other devices capable of making an audible signal and shall not make or take any telephone calls while in Council chambers once a Council meeting has been called to order.
Members of the City Council shall not use any electronic devices other than the desktop computers provided by the City of El Paso located at their seats during any City Council meeting or City Council work sessions.
The use of communication devices of any kind, including but not limited to: handheld portable communication devices, cellphones, computers, tablets, laptops, watches, etc. is expressly prohibited during City Council meetings and shall not be allowed in the room during closed sessions unless they are being used to aid in executive session presentations.
If the City Council member needs to take a telephone call, respond to a text message, etc. during a meeting, he or she must excuse themselves from the dais or room where the closed session is taking place to engage in that communication.
The use of the desktop computers during City Council shall be limited to voting, viewing presentations, research to aid the council member and communication via email to staff. During meetings, City Council members shall not text, tweet, blog, post on Facebook, Instagram or use any other social media platform."
The item to ban cellphones during city council meetings will not move forward.
ABC-7 will reach out to the mayor and council members to ask how they plan to enforce the existing rules moving forward.
