By Fox23.com News Staff
SPAVINAW, Okla. — The City of Spavinaw Board of Trustees passed a policy that prevents disruption with recording devices in public meetings and gives officials direction on how to address conduct that interferes with operations.
Resolution No. 2026-3 passed unanimously at the Spavinaw’s Regular Meeting on Thursday.
Spavinaw Mayor Amanda Miller told FOX23 the policy provides guidance for an already existing ordinance over disruption of public business.
Mayor Miller clarified that Resolution 2026-3 does not regulate recording, and that recording of municipal meeting and operations is “expressly allowed.”
The purpose of the policy is to give employees and officials direction on how to address conduct that interferes with government operations, Mayor Miller said.
“Recording does not grant carte blanche to restrict business, harass, threaten, intimidate or disrupt employees or the public. When conduct crosses into disruption, employees may issue a warning. If the behavior continues, existing ordinance may be enforce.”
The original ordinance makes it a crime to willfully disturb, interfere with or disrupt public business.
Resolution 2026-3 says the Board determined a content-neutral policy regulating the manner or recording, rather than the act of recording, is necessary for protecting and uninterrupted business.
Some of the regulations in the resolution include:
- “Recording activities shall not interfere with, delay, or obstruct Town employees, officials, emergency personnel, or members of the public in the performance of official duties or the receipt of services.”
- “Recording activities shall not involve close-range positioning, persistent following, or focused filming of an employee or official in a manner that a reasonable person would find intimidating, harassing, or disruptive to the performance of official duties.”
- “Recording devices shall be stationary and placed so as not to obstruct views, movement, or operations. The Town is not required to provide electrical power, internet access, or special accommodations for recording.”
Mayor Miller said the resolution was ruled effective upon adoption.
