CLEARLAKE – The Clearlake City Council consented to move forward in bringing its meetings to the public through live broadcast. The item came before the council during its July 10 regular meeting.
Council meetings have been recorded by PEG Committee associates for the past month. Thursday”s discussion included how to proceed with the service and according to what conditions.
“This is something that the people have wanted for a long time,” said Council member Joyce Overton, adding a suggestion to include a notice of live broadcast on each evening”s agenda.
Council member Judy Thein said she fully supported the concept as well. “We advocate open government and we need to be transparent. The community should hear (the meetings) first hand,” she said, adding that she believes the service will also help bring the community together.
Details discussed by the council included safety concerns, censorship capabilities, equipment location and operation and public notification. The council also discussed whether Planning Commission meetings should be broadcast live as well.
The detail that was of the most debate, was whether or not the mayor should be in control of “kill switch” to turn off the cable feed in the event there is inappropriate conduct at the meeting.
“We have to be very careful when we start editing things out,” said citizen Vince Metzger. “If we”re going to have cameras, we”re a free society. But, if we”re going to have kill switches, we”re not a free society. I want to see the mistakes. I want to see the blunders. I don”t want someone else to tell me what I should see.”
City Administrator Dale Neiman said the purpose of the switch was to prevent the airing of inappropriate conduct. As an example, he said, he had been at a council meeting (in a different city) where two subjects engaged in a physical fight. That, he said, would warrant use of the kill switch.
Another topic of debate was whether the Planning Commission meetings should also be aired live. Mayor Curt Giambruno and councilmembers Overton and Thein agreed that the planning commissioners should have a chance to voice their opinions about the suggestion before a decision is official. Vice Mayor Chuck Leonard said the decision should be the council”s.
“We believe in open government,” Leonard said. “We need to televise the meetings.”
The other council members did not necessarily oppose airing the planning commission meetings live. They said they just thought the commissioners should be allowed input in the decision.
Allen Markowski, of the PEG Committee, has been recording the sessions for the past month. He spoke in favor of broadcasting live.
“We have the unique opportunity to give people the news as it”s happening,” he said.
Live broadcast capabilities are expected to be in place by the next city council meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24. Meetings will be aired on TV Channel 8.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
