HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/02/05 Item 18
ITEM TITLE:
SUBMITTED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
SUMMARY
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA STATEMENT
~\!f:. CITY OF
'~CHULA VISTA
FEBRUARY 5, 2008, ItemlL
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA DIRECTING STAFF TO PROCEED WITH
STEPS NECESSARY TO TELEVISE CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS AND WHATEVER WORK SESSIONS,
COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS ARE
APPROPRIATE "f?
DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS 'iiiW(!II:
DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLO
SERVICES ~'
CITY MANAGER
ASSISTANT CITY NAGER c,..T
4/STHS VOTE: YES D NO ~
Adoption of the resolution will direct staff to proceed with the steps necessary to televise
any meetings that are currently being streamed on the Internet, thus expanding the process
for live viewing by citizens who do not have computer access.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined
that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 (b)(5) of the State
CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section l5060(c)(3) of the State CEQA
Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is
necessary.
RECOMMENDATION
Council adopt the resolution.
BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
Previously, City Council members expressed a strong desire to make city government
more accessible to the public. In an effort to achieve that goal, staff installed a system to
stream City Council meetings, workshops and Chula Vista Redevelopment Corporation
18-1
FEBRUARY 5, 2008, Item~
Page 2 of 2
(CYRC) meetings live on the City's Internet home page. On that page, prior meetings
are archived and available for viewing. Production costs (i.e. camera operations) for
those meetings are included in each year's budget.
During the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2007/2008, staff included a modest sum,
approximately $2,000, to fund the cost of material, equipment and labor needed to launch
live coverage of City Council meetings and workshops on Cox cable Channel 24. Cox
reaches 51,650 households in Chula Vista.
Over the past few months, staff has recommended a series of deep cuts in order to
balance the City's budget. Due to the small amount of funds required to pursue the
objective of live coverage, staff did not eliminate this item.
Live television broadcasts on Cox will reach viewers who prefer watching City Council
meetings in real time on television, instead of the computer. Staff is convinced the
convenience of live broadcasts will expand viewership, reach new audiences, and engage
more members of the public in government affairs.
The Council meetings will continue to be replayed on Cox Cable Channel 24 Wednesday
nights at 7 p.m.
DECISION MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is
not site specific and consequently the 500-foot rule found in California Code of
Regulations section 18704.2(a)(I) is not applicable to this decision.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff has budgeted sufficient funds for this project.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Prepared by:
Louie Vignapiano. Director of Information Technology Services
18-2
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA DIRECTING STAFF TO PROCEED WITH
STEPS NECESSARY TO TELEVISE THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS AND WHATEVER WORK SESSIONS,
COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS ARE
APPROPRIATE
WHEREAS, during the budgeting process for FY 2007-08, staff included a modest
amount (about $2,000) in the budget to cover the cost of the material and labor to provide the
ability to show the City Council meetings live on Channel 24 for Cox customers; and
WHEREAS, during the past few months, staff has recommended many budget cuts in
order to balance the budget but because of the very small dollar amount, staff did not eliminate
this item; and
WHEREAS, in the past, Council has stated a preference for having their meetings
accessible to more citizens, so several years ago, staff installed a system to stream Council
meetings live on the Internet and make past meeting available as well; and
WHEREAS, this resolution will expand on that process and allow citizens who do not
have access to a computer to view the meetings live; and
WHEREAS, the meetings would continue to be televised on Wednesday evenings at
7:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, this effort would also provide the ability to televise any meetings that are
currently being streamed on the Internet.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula
Vista does hereby direct staff to proceed with steps necessary to televise the City Council
meetings and whatever work sessions, commission and committee meetings are appropriate.
Louie Vignapiano
Director ofInformation Technology
Services
Approved as to form by
~~J..tJ~fi1
Ann Moore If! .
City Attorney
Presented by
J:\AlIomey\RESO\ITS\Televisiog Council meetings_02-0S-08.doc
18-3