HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - TELEVISING STUDY SESSIONS (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT
Agenda Item: 13
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
February 8, 2011
Ken Pulskamp
TELEVISING CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSIONS
City Manager's Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council direct staff to televise live study sessions of high interest topics and move to the
Council Chambers for televising.
BACKGROUND
The City began televising its City Council meetings in the early 1990's, using local volunteers
and a one camera system which was situated on a tripod in the rear of the Council Chambers. In
the mid 1990's, the City invested in new equipment for the Council Chambers to enable higher
quality production of its live televised meetings.
Since that time, the City has upgraded its equipment, providing a professional look to its three
camera system for televised meetings held in the Council Chambers. Currently, the City airs
live, the twice monthly City Council meetings (held on the second and fourth Tuesday beginning
at 6 p.m.).
At this time, the Century Conference Room is used by the City Council for its study sessions.
Since Cityhood, the semi -regular study sessions have been utilized as an opportunity for the City
Council to hold a noticed, public meeting in an informal manner, to receive information on one
or two topics from City staff. The Century Room is currently equipped with four monitors, a
projector and a projector screen, but no telecast equipment, lighting or television -quality sound
equipment. Televising from the Century Room at this time could be done using portable
equipment, but it is not wired for live television. To accomplish this, the equipment would need
to be brought in for each meeting and would be a one -camera operation, giving a continual
wide -shot of the room, or study sessions would need to be moved to the Council Chambers.
Should Council wish to build out the Century Room to accomodate professional, live, televised
meetings, the estimated cost would be $180,000.
In order to maintain the Council's policy of using study sessions for more informal discussions, it
is recommended that they not be moved to the Council Chambers on a routine basis. However, if
the Council deems appropriate, they may consider directing staff to, in cases of high interest
topics, move them to the Council Chambers for live televising.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council
FISCAL IMPACT
None by this action.