Board holds first reading on audiovisual upgrade for meeting rooms; FeatherShark recommended

City staff presented three bids to upgrade audiovisual systems in the council chambers and conference room and recommended awarding the project to FeatherShark LLC.

Dustin Ziebold, acting city administrator and finance director, said FeatherShark's bid came in at $29,821 and staff proposed a not-to-exceed total of $34,321 that includes televisions and wiring. "We are going to be recommending Feather Shark LLC for $29,821, and that comes under the $30,000," Ziebold said. He noted staff would perform some installation work (wiring and TV installation) to reduce the vendor cost.

Chief Eamon and other staff described the technical plan: the chamber would receive two cameras (including an AI tracking camera for whoever is speaking), a lectern-focused camera and a single- ceiling microphone that staff said would pick up most speakers. FeatherShark offered a one-year warranty and will work with the city's IT contractor, GoInet, to integrate the system onto the city network.

Board members questioned whether lower-cost or mobile solutions could solve the audio problems and whether the rooms could be more marketable for rentals after the upgrade. Staff said vendors measured the rooms and designed layouts to cover the dais and lectern and that FeatherShark proposed a tailored, lower-cost package rather than equipment sized for a much larger facility.

The item received its first reading by voice vote; no final award or contract execution took place at the meeting and staff will return with procurement paperwork and specifications (including TV specifications) during subsequent proceedings.