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Resident urges livestreaming as council says budget lacks funding for camera setup
Summary
At the Feb. 24 City Council meeting, residents pressed officials to livestream meetings and raised concerns about a proposed drone tower and development notices. Council President Manny Grova said the council will post agendas weekly but that livestreaming costs are not in the council's budget.
Cristine Moreira told the City Council that "Live streaming is not an unreasonable request," saying several of her questions about transparency and a proposed drone tower remain unanswered. She added that the city’s current policy does not require residents to give their names and addresses before speaking and that other municipalities post streaming and sign-up requirements online.
Council President Manny Grova, Jr. responded that the council is complying with the Open Public Meetings Law and that an agenda will be posted on the city website the Monday before meetings. Grova said the cost to livestream Council's meetings "is not allocated in City Council's budget," and noted that different municipalities handle public sign-ups differently but that as long as the public is allowed to speak during the public speaking portion the council remains in compliance.
Why it matters: Residents framed livestreaming as an access and accountability measure; city officials framed the issue as a budget and policy decision. The public comment also included concerns about snow-removal logistics and neighborhood development approvals. The council did not take a formal vote to fund livestreaming during the meeting; next steps were limited to the clerk posting agendas earlier online.
Who said it: Cristine Moreira (public commenter) and Council President Manny Grova, Jr. (Council).
