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Commissioners seek to resume livestreams for Board of Zoning Appeals and Airport Authority meetings
Summary
Board directed staff to explore resuming livestreams for the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and Airport Authority meetings, citing transparency and the usefulness of video records for reviewing contentious hearings and for grant/partner communications; staff noted technical, staffing and logistics constraints.
Coweta County commissioners discussed livestreaming meetings of several authorities and boards, and identified the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and the Airport Authority as priorities to return to video streaming.
Staff background and constraints: County staff explained the county transitioned to a civic-clerk platform about a year ago; streaming beyond the board chambers is constrained by variable meeting locations, limited AV equipment in remote meeting rooms, and staffing needs to operate cameras and manage streams. Staff noted a partnership with CEC students has helped stream some meetings, but expanding streaming would require additional staffing, training or equipment investments.
Why commissioners want it back: Commissioners said videotaped authority meetings are useful because many authorities make recommendations that are later considered by the Board of Commissioners; having a video record helps commissioners and the public review testimony and audience reaction, particularly for contentious zoning matters. Commissioners also said a live or recorded stream eases sharing with state or regional partners, for example when staff or GDOT representatives request to see airport authority proceedings.
Next steps: Staff said it is feasible to prioritize returning streaming for the BZA and Airport Authority that already sometimes meet in the chambers. Staff will explore logistics, equipment and potential use of CEC support, and return with options and cost estimates; commissioners expressed consensus to begin with those two entities.
Ending: No formal action was taken; staff will report back with technical and cost options for resuming streams for the prioritized authorities.
