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Council previews FY2026 schedule and discusses council-chamber AV, lighting and acoustics
Summary
At a budget workshop staff outlined the FY2026 timeline (proposed budget filing July 7; workshops July 15 and Aug. 5; public hearings Sept. 2 and Sept. 16 adoption window) and council debated conference-room audio-visual issues, microphone behaviors, lighting and acoustic treatments.
City staff told the City Council they are finalizing FY2026 materials and aim to file the proposed budget on July 7. Council will receive hard-copy backup materials once filing occurs; a packet and a workshop are scheduled for July 15, with an August 5 workshop to discuss the proposed tax rate and a second public hearing and potential adoption in September (Sept. 2 public hearing; adoption possible Sept. 16). Staff said departments have submitted supplemental or one-time improvement requests and these will be separated from operating costs in the budget packet for clearer review.
Councilmembers spent a substantial portion of the workshop discussing the new City Hall conference room and council chambers technology. Concerns included restricted sightlines for people seated at the dais, microphones that automatically activate with movement versus push-to-talk designs, shadowing on the live video feed, and pronounced echoes since flooring replaced carpet. Council members suggested privacy glass or frosting for semi-private meetings, targeted lighting adjustments for better video appearance, acoustic panels to reduce echo, and additional cameras to cover multiple dais angles. Staff offered to obtain estimates for multiple options and to test lighting and audio settings.
Staff also noted plans to split operating budgets from one-time improvement requests (for example, new personnel or vehicles) to provide council a clearer view of recurring costs versus supplemental items.
Next steps: staff will file the proposed budget on July 7, print hard copies for council, provide additional workshops per the schedule, and return with cost estimates for the recommended chamber/AV adjustments.
