Guidelines for Neighborhood Meetings During Political Season

The Neighborhood Initiatives and Environmental Services office of the Planning and Building Agency has developed the following guidelines regarding community meetings during political seasons or surrounding "hot" political topics.

• Neighborhood Associations receiving financial or staff support from the City of Santa Ana either in the past or anticipated in the future, are prohibited from becoming involved in political campaigns for the purpose of endorsing a particular candidate.
• Generating revenue on behalf of the neighborhood association through paid advertising received from political campaigns will result in a review of any and all financial and in-kind support by the City of Santa Ana to the neighborhood association.
• At the outset of any meeting in which staff will be a participant, ground rules will be announced (such as staff members are in attendance to assist the group with logistical questions, specific project updates, etc). Should the discussion or agenda move into political topics, staff should then excuse themselves from the meeting and allow the group to continue their discussion.
• It is recommended that flyers for political candidates or issues not be permitted at group meetings. If the group leader would like to make an alternative decision, they may do so.
• Campaigning Incumbents will be treated the same as other political candidates -- except when invited to meetings to address specific projects or activities. However, if political discussion is initiated, staff should then excuse themselves from that meeting.