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El Mirage council votes to live stream council, work sessions, Parks & Recreation and planning meetings
Summary
After extended discussion about technology, cost and off-site meetings, the El Mirage council voted to begin live streaming council meetings, council work sessions, Parks & Recreation Committee meetings and Planning & Zoning meetings; the motion passed with a 6–1 vote (Councilmember Dorsey opposed).
The El Mirage Common Council on March 4 approved a motion to livestream city council meetings, council work sessions, Parks & Recreation Committee meetings and Planning & Zoning meetings for public viewing.
Councilmembers Eldridge and Gentry introduced the request, arguing that streaming increases transparency for residents who cannot attend in person. Councilmember Eldridge said streaming is a matter of “complete transparency” and that work sessions available as transcripts or audio alone do not capture body language or presentations. Councilmember Gentry noted the council handbook already states “all public meetings shall be recorded or photographed by means of audio, video, or photographic equipment” and urged the council to follow that policy.
Council discussion focused on technical and policy details: which meetings should be streamed, how to handle off-site meetings (for example, meetings held in the police department Blue Room or at the senior center), and whether the permanently mounted Granicus camera system in the council chambers can be used elsewhere. Tom (IT) explained the current chamber cameras and Granicus system are permanently mounted and not portable; Microsoft Teams has been used during the pandemic and records video, but Teams recordings are not posted in the same way as the Granicus streams unless staff publish them. The city manager and staff recommended returning with a plan that outlines equipment, costs, staffing and procedures for off-site meetings; Tom said he could bring scenarios and estimates.
Several council members argued for delaying action until staff produced a detailed plan and budget implications; others pushed to follow the handbook and expand streaming immediately. The council first voted on a motion to table the item; that tabling motion failed. Vice Mayor Parsons then moved to livestream the listed meetings (adding Planning and Zoning); Councilmember Norton seconded. On the final voice vote the motion passed with one dissent — Councilmember Dorsey voted no — and the council directed staff to return with implementation details and cost estimates for the budget session in April.
City staff said they will prepare scenarios for (1) in-chamber live streaming using the Granicus/permanent camera system; (2) off-site recording approaches that use portable equipment with post-meeting uploads to the city website and social media; and (3) staffing and estimated costs so the council can consider budget adjustments.
The council’s vote expands the city’s public-access practice beyond the meetings currently streamed and asks staff to formalize an implementation plan for equipment, staffing and posting procedures.
