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Atascadero council approves consent calendar and new audio-visual system for chambers
Summary
The Atascadero City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar and a separate purchase to replace the council chambers audio-visual system, with staff saying the new system will save the city an estimated $38,000–$50,000 annually and has an expected 10-year lifespan.
Atascadero City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar and separately authorized purchase and installation of new audio-visual equipment for the council chambers.
The purchase of the AV system was discussed during the consent calendar. Mayor Borbeau said the new system will eliminate the city's recurring contract cost for videotaping and broadcasting council meetings; a staff member, Luke, confirmed that would be the case. Councilmember Newsom moved approval of consent items 1, 2 and 4; Councilmember Funk seconded and the roll call vote was unanimous. Councilmember Funk later moved approval of item A3, the AV purchase, with a second from Councilmember Peake; that motion also passed unanimously.
Why it matters: City staff said the upgraded AV system will allow the city to produce and publish meeting recordings without contracting outside videography and reduce recurring costs. Council and staff also described how the change will alter how meetings are distributed to residents who use different viewing options.
Details: During discussion about item A3, staff explained the AV equipment will serve the chambers and certain conference rooms and that the equipment is intended to have an approximately 10-year useful life. A staff member estimated annual savings in a range ‘‘somewhere between 38 and 50,000 annually.’’ Based on that estimate, council members noted a roughly seven- to 10-year payback period for the equipment cost. Staff also said meetings will continue to be available through the city's YouTube channel, Zoom links published on the city website, live audio on KPRL and archived recordings accessible from the city's website.
Council also addressed a question from a member of the public about why the council approves accounts payable after payments are processed. Mayor Borbeau explained that routine vendor payments must be processed in a timely manner and that the consent calendar provides public visibility and council oversight of those payments.
Votes and motions: Councilmember Newsom moved approval of consent items 1, 2 and 4; Councilmember Funk seconded. Roll call recorded all members as voting "yes." For item A3, Councilmember Funk moved approval; Councilmember Peake seconded. Roll call recorded all members as voting "yes." Both motions passed unanimously.
What comes next: Staff will proceed with procurement and installation of the AV equipment and continue to publish meeting video and audio through the channels described by staff. The council did not request additional conditions or follow-up reports when it approved the equipment purchase.
