Lake Forest council keeps PEG cable channel operational after debate over costs and reach

Lake Forest city staff asked the City Council on June 2 to authorize suspending the city’s public education and government (PEG) cable channel, citing low usage and technical compatibility problems with the updated in-chamber AV system. After public comment from residents who said many seniors rely on cable, and a city council discussion about access and cost, staff said it will keep the PEG channel on the air and proceed with necessary equipment replacements under existing staff spending authority.

The staff presentation, led by Carrie Copp, assistant to the city manager, said the PEG channel is provided through the city’s Comcast franchise agreement at no franchise fee cost to the city, but the city pays for equipment and operation. Copp told council that only three meeting types are broadcast to the channel (city council, plan commission and finance committee), those meetings are also…