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Mount Vernon resident criticizes new council audiovisual system, urges use of cable advisory board
Summary
At the May 14 Mount Vernon City Council meeting, resident Jeff Monroe urged the council to revisit choices made for the chambers' new audiovisual system and called for greater community input through the city's Cable Television Advisory Board; council members said the upgrade was an improvement and pledged continued review.
Jeff Monroe told the Mount Vernon City Council on May 14 that the city's newly installed public-amplification and video system was poorly implemented and that the city should have sought broader community input before purchase.
"I think it was done poorly," Monroe said during public comment, and criticized the microphones' wide pickup pattern and what he described as audio feedback. He also said he understood the installation cost to be "the $200,000 plus" and said that amount "was not itemized." Monroe urged the council to consult local experts and the Cable Television Advisory Board on future upgrades.
The comment came at the start of the council's regular meeting after a public hearing. Monroe said the system could be improved with different microphone types and easier camera options for residents who are not technologically savvy. "Trust me. I just like to see us do better," he said.
Councilwoman Caitlin Wilson responded directly to Monroe, thanking him for his input and saying she was already discussing upgrades with Director Perez. "We went over it. I am taking the things that we discussed, and I'm bringing it to Director Perez," Wilson said, and invited Monroe to remain engaged.
Councilwoman Gleason and Councilman Thompson both said the new system represented an improvement over prior equipment and that further upgrades could be considered over time. "Nothing is ever gonna be 100%," Thompson said, while Gleason said she appreciated Monroe's feedback and would continue to pursue community input.
Council President Brown acknowledged the purchase followed a request for proposals process and said the council and staff had consulted outside audiovisual experts. She also addressed the Cable Television Advisory Board: "We do need the school district to reappoint some of their members because their memberships have' expired. And the council is moving forward with another appointment," Brown said, adding the advisory board would resume activity once appointments were complete.
Discussion at the meeting produced no formal council action to reverse or modify the installation that night. Council members repeatedly said the audiovisual system is an ongoing project and invited Monroe and other residents to provide written suggestions for future upgrades.
Monroe's remarks and the council's responses were limited to the public-comment period; the council did not take votes on audiovisual procurement or a formal plan amendment at the May 14 session.
