The city of Sumner (city) is the exclusive owner of city parks, trails, and other facilities, that include all flagpoles, lights on the Cannery Way Bridge, the sound system on Main Street, websites, and any current or future signage owned or operated by the city of Sumner. The city has sole control over the content that is displayed in these areas by design, typeface, color, and sound.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish guidelines in order to ensure that flags, music, words, symbols and lighting displayed on city-owned infrastructure, whether physical or digital, are used only for government speech and that they reflect the views, values, and goals of the city. The city's flagpoles, signage, music system, websites and lighting systems are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public. The city will not display a ceremonial flag, change its lighting system, display a private party's requested message or play certain music on its sound system (or any variation of the above) based on a request from a third party, nor will the city use its flagpoles, music system, signage or lighting system for nongovernment speech.
(Ord. 2888 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024)
The city's flagpoles are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public. Flags displayed on city-owned property shall be displayed in accordance with federal and state statutes and regulations, including but not limited to United States Code (4 U.S.C. Chapter 1) and Revised Code of Washington (RCW 1.20.010, 1.20.015, 1.20.017 and 35A.21.180). City flagpoles will display the American flag, state of Washington flag, POW/MIA flag and any other flag required permanently or temporarily by the United States or state government. Only pursuant to proclamation of the mayor, or resolution passed by majority vote of the city council, may other commemorative flags be flown by the city on a temporary basis for a period of up to 30 days.
(Ord. 2888 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024)
Cannery Way Bridge includes pre-set lighting combinations that enhance the city of Sumner community in celebrating seasons, major city-sponsored events as identified in the city's biennial budget, government-related celebrations and reminders, and the city's support of local schools/sports teams including local school districts, state colleges, and professional Washington sports teams. The city does not accept public requests to change the colors.
(Ord. 2888 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024)
The city's downtown and bridge sound system, and any music or message emanated therefrom, shall be solely controlled by the city or its designated manager. The city administrator or their designee may, through the event permit process, temporarily allow limited use of the speakers by an event organizer within the downtown during a city-sponsored public event identified in the city's then-current biennial budget, or temporary use by a third-party emergency management organization. The city uses a commercial streaming service to ensure all music shared is properly licensed and appropriate for a public setting. All use of the sound system must meet the same requirements.
(Ord. 2888 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024)
City owned signage shall comply with the city's sign code and shall be expressly reserved for official messages of the city and for the dissemination of generally applicable public information to the Sumner community that is of general interest. City-owned signage shall not provide a public forum for private speech or expression. The city will not accept public requests to display messages or change the content of a city-owned sign.
(Ord. 2888 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024)
City-owned digital spaces, including websites, web calendars and social media accounts, shall be used by the city for the dissemination of city-related business and generally applicable public information to the Sumner community that is of general interest. They do not provide a public forum for private speech or expression. The city, at its discretion, may repost or share content from sponsored events and community partners per existing guidelines but does not accept requests to link, repost, or advertise third-party events, causes or other content.
(Ord. 2888 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024)