Wednesday, March 27, 2002
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Wednesday, March 27, 2002 |
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Televising PTC Council meetings would require additional staffer By JOHN
MUNFORD
A plan to tape Peachtree City Council meetings for later broadcast will likely require another staffer plus the extra equipment to put cameras in council chambers. The cameras would be robotically controlled from a remote station, and someone must control that station, Technical Support Manager Matt Robinson told council at its retreat Friday. The ultimate cost range of the equipment isn't clear either since there was $150,000 difference between the only two bids received for the equipment. City officials want to install two robotically controlled cameras, one to be aimed at council and the other aimed at the podium. A third camera would be used to display documents such as site plans and schematics to TV viewers and those present at the meeting. Mayor Steve Brown said AT&T officials were reviewing the bids to determine what equipment is absolutely necessary before council moves forward on the matter. The camera system could also be used to tape other meetings for later broadcast such as the Planning Commission. Councilman Dan Tennant said he thought it is important to televise council meetings to help bring City Hall to residents such as senior citizens and parents who often can't come to council meetings in person. Councilwoman Annie McMenamin said she didn't see public support for the concept. "They consider this a frivolous cost," McMenamin said. Mayor Steve Brown said costs could possibly be offset by securing a sponsor for the telecast. "We'll have to wait and see what the numbers are," said Councilman Murray Weed.
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