Council weighs broadcasting work sessions; closed-caption cost and AV upgrades factor into decision

Columbia — Council members examined whether to broadcast pre-council and work sessions and asked staff to produce a budget estimate and implementation timeline before proceeding.

Staff noted that the council chamber is the only room already equipped for full production and that closed captioning currently costs about $98 per hour. Staff warned that longer or back-to-back sessions increase the chance of gaps when captioners rotate. City staff are evaluating two RFP responses for an AV upgrade that would improve livestreaming and captioning capabilities, and they plan to request final offers from the vendors.

Several council members emphasized accessibility reasons for broadcasting work sessions so residents who cannot attend in person — for example, shift workers, parents without childcare, and people with disabilities — can still follow the discussion. Disability-commission members and staff noted improved AI-assisted captioning products that combine automated captions with live human editing; staff said those options could be less expensive than traditional captioning services.

No formal decision was made. Council asked staff to prepare a report that includes: a cost estimate for broadcasting pre-council and work sessions (including captioning and potential interpreter costs), the number of work sessions and pre-council meetings historically streamed, and a recommended start date if council opts to proceed. One council member suggested waiting until January pending the report and vendor timeline.

Ending — Staff expects to produce a vendor timeline and cost estimate and to return with a consolidated report and proposed schedule for possible broadcasting of additional meetings.