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Council backs webcasting and local broadcast of meetings, asks ITA for plan; rough costs cited
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Summary
The council adopted motions to pursue webcasting council proceedings and to seek broadcast time on free local television, asking ITA to return with cost and implementation plans. Council members cited rough annual figures of about $120,000 (webcast) and $180,000 (television) and agreed to include budget requests. Vote: 13–0.
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted on Feb. 4 motions directing the Information Technology Agency to develop a plan to webcast council meetings and to pursue free, over-the-air broadcast time for meetings, including exploring airtime on KLCS (channel 58).
Council member Chick introduced one motion aimed at expanding access to council proceedings via the Internet and television. Council member Padilla said he supported the companion motion and noted preliminary figures for annual costs: "For the webcasting and for the television time, we've gotten some very rough figures, at least at this point, of a $120,000 annually, [and] $180,000 annually respectively," Padilla said, describing those as early estimates for planning and possible budget requests.
Padilla and other council members said the goal was to increase civic participation by making proceedings available to residents who lack cable or reliable Internet access. Council member Savornich urged quick negotiations with KLCS (channel 58), the free station used by LAUSD and others, so that people without cable could watch.
Council member Holden — who said he had also filed a separate motion earlier — supported moving quickly and noted that the mayor's office had already received the webcasting request as part of next fiscal year's budget proposals.
The council adopted the Budget and Finance Committee report as amended by the motions (20a and 20b) and recorded a roll call of 13 ayes. The council additionally agreed to pursue budget requests for the forthcoming fiscal year to fund the proposals.
Why it matters: The directive aims to widen public access to city government by using both webcasting and free broadcast television, addressing digital and cable access gaps among residents.
Next steps: ITA will prepare costed plans and implementation steps. Council members indicated they would seek funding in the mayor's upcoming budget process and follow up on negotiations for broadcast time on channel 58.
