HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - PUBLIC ACCESSCity,/ M
Item to be presented by:
Gail Foy
NEW BUSINESS
DATE: September 13, 1994
SUBJECT: Public Access
DEPARTMENT: Management Services
Last year, the City Council approved a Public Education and Government (PEG) program
for public access within the City of Santa Clarita.
Since that time, the two local cable companies, King Videocable and Time Warner, in
concert with the City and L.A. County, have hired a public access director, leased space
for a public access studio, and begun the purchase of equipment for the public access
studio.
Due to the delays from the earthquake, and other administrative factors, the public access
studio will open six months later than anticipated (in January, 1995). `
So as not to delay the televised City Council meetings, the City is utilizing a public access
studio camera to tape City Council meetings for playback the next evening on public
access channel 20.
The one -camera operation provides for a wide shot of the Council and speaker at the
podium. In order to shoot all of this, the camera needs to be set up in the back of the
room, which will result in a broadcast that will be difficult to view. This type of shooting is
intrusive to attendees and is not up to the standard of quality set by our City.
While many cities spend thousands of dollars on public access, and specifically on taping
City Council meetings, this method of borrowing a portable public access camera for each
meeting and utilizing local volunteers to shoot the meetings costs the City nothing.
'r 13
Staff is suggesting that an initial investment be made whereby the City would purchase two
cameras, to be permanently installed from the ceiling in Council Chambers. The package
suggested would include related equipment, to be operated by trained volunteers, and
provide a two -camera operation. All equipment would be out of the way of the meeting
attendees. Additionally, the taped meetings would be of a higher quality.
Staff's goal is to utilize the set up for future taping of Parks and Recreation and Planning
Commission meetings, as well as other events held in Council Chambers.
For Council's own information, more than a dozen local residents have committed
themselves to be trained on the equipment and to tape the Council meetings through
February, 1995.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize Staff to go out to bid on a package, not to exceed $10,000 for capital equipment,
plus maintenance for a two -camera set up in the Council Chambers.
GRF/peg.agd