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jimhanson 
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 18 2004,2:30 pm |
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It has been proposed that City Council meetings be aired on local cable access channels. Many greet this as a way to let people know what really goes on at public meetings--others think it is a waste of money.
One of the problems thrown out as an impediment to installing voice-activated cameras is that the ceiling in the City Council chambers contains asbestos--and if it is disturbed, it would have to be replaced. The Trib. article says that the rest of City Hall has already had the treatment. If so, perhaps the council chambers should also get the treatment, anyway. I wonder if this is really true, however--I've got to believe that cameras can be installed without disturbing the ceiling--either hard-wired on the walls or with transmitters attached. This should be explored.
Regarding whether or not there is public interest, KATE radio has carried the City broadcast for years--and says there IS good public interest.
The article also interviewed County Administrator Ron Gabrielson. Though the County meets in City Council chambers while the new Courthouse is under construction, the new Courthouse will be ready for occupancy in a little over 5 months, anyway--it shouldn't be an issue. Here is the quote from Gabrielson| Quote | | County Commissioner Ron Gabrielsen conducted an informal survey of counties, "because (Commissioner Dan) Springborg had wanted to go to nighttime meetings and we talked about the possibility of videotaping." Some counties tape because they think viewership is high, he said. Others did but stopped, because, "they observed it, they evaluated it ... and saw no value for that amount of money." Others simply did not want to spend the money. |
Commissioner Belshan proposed night meetings--it was voted down 3-2, but Springborg said he would be in favor if meetings could be rescheduled so as not to conflict with his Township meetings. | Quote | | When asked his opinion of the value of airing meetings, Gabrielsen said, "I honestly don't know. "If one or two people more would participate in government, people would argue it has tremendous value." Erdman is one of those people. "If you can get one or two more people involved, that's a plus," he said. |
One or two more people involved? As it is, the County Board meets on Tuesday mornings--when most people can't participate. Certainly, if the County Board will not change its meeting time so more people can participate DIRECTLY, the meeting can be aired on video tape, so people can learn about issues, and contact their Commissioner. That is a LOT MORE THAN A COUPLE OF PEOPLE.| Quote | | But Gabrielsen also mentioned the cost. "There's an initial cost to get started," he said, but other things can add up. He described the airing procedures in Stearns county which began with voice-activated microphones. Soon viewers wanted to know who was talking, so they hired a part-time employee to type in the names of the speaker. Then they needed a person to organize all of the tapes, and the position became full-time. "Like critical mass," the commissioner said, "it started rolling." |
I have seen the Red Wing City Council broadcast using this system--it works very well--unless there gets to be a shouting match, and the cameras can't keep up. Are we really to believe that the Commissioners are worried about the cost of the system--these same Commissioners that gave us a $40,000,000 facility for them to meet in--that blew over $500,000 in additional interest on the financing, that gave us Lease-Revenue bonds to avoid a referendum (and which now CANNOT be refinanced at lower rates)?
I would submit that the cost of the television system would recover its cost in only a couple of meetings! 
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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Montyman
Group: Members
Posts: 421
Joined: Dec. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 18 2004,3:10 pm |
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The meetings should all be taped or aired for future reference anyway.
Less confusion on ALL of the different issues would result.
We would not be dependent on reporters for our information.
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Ignorant men raise questions that wise men answered a thousand years ago. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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danbelshan
Group: Members
Posts: 263
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 18 2004,4:30 pm |
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From my: June 2002 Newsletter
Among other things I asked we discuss the following items at a County/City of Albert Lea workshop:
Future plans for a shared high tech boardroom to allow the public who can’t attend county board, city council and other public meetings to watch elected officials in action as other counties and cities .
Nov 25 2002 City Council MinutesJOINT BOARD ROOM USE
Dan Belshan, 2nd District Commissioner, asked the City Council to consider looking into sharing a high tech Board Room with the County Commissioners.
From 02/04/03 Behrends Bans Bok at www.freeborncounty.com
I would like to put county board meetings on public access cable TV on a rotational basis so people with a variety of work schedules would be able to observe elected officials in action. Many counties and cities already do this, and we have a good opportunity to do it in our county when we move into our new boardroom.
My newsletter from Dec 2003 SHARING RESOURCES
FACT: On 11-18-03 I moved "the County Board present the idea to the City Council to form an on-going County/City Resource Sharing Committee", and the motion passed unanimously. I volunteer to be on that committee, if formed
OPINION: I'd like to form an on-going governmental committee with the City of Albert Lea for the benefit of all citizens of the County. I truly believe we could jointly save taxpayer dollars with shared staff, programs, resources and capital expenditures, ideas for cooperation, and ideas from other cities and counties. We have infrequent City/County joint meetings, and this committee would be an on-going way to bring back information to both groups in a timely manner. There are community committees from which we could draw information, but this would be a joint effort by elected officials who are empowered to make monetary decisions on behalf of tax payers.
I suggested during discussion that a good first project would be to cooperatively investigate broadcast of meetings and look at a joint meeting room for County Board and City Council meetings with the long term goal of being used by many public bodies eg: Shellrock Watershed Board.
Part of my vocation and also my hobby for over 25 years has been working with audio equipment, and I've used video equipment, too. With advances in technology, the old tapes and tape storage systems have been replaced by digital recorders and cameras. I no longer use tape when recording audio in our studio (digital audio recording has been around for years) and with CD and DVDs digital video is now cost effective. Organization of "tapes" would not take a staff position (no tapes), and an entire year of county board meetings on DVD could fit into an area the size of a shoebox, so storage really wouldn't be an issue, either.
I'm not sure where the people who are checking have looked for equipment. Go to http://www.draco.com/index.cfm and look at Casablanca.tv. There's a stand alone unit for under $5000 that even a grade school child could use. All that's needed besides the unit is a switcher box, microphone guided cameras and a local electrician. As far as asbestos, or drilling through cement walls (an excuse for tearing down the 1954 building) our studio is in a house built in 1917, and wired in the 1950s with 2 electrical outlets per room. A couple of years ago an electrician installed surface mount outlet strips an inch wide around the walls in a matching color, very useable and up to code. With so much equipment going wireless even the lack of outlets and wiring may soon not be an issue.
Is it possible that what is really standing in the way of broadcasts is a lack of desire to broadcast?
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Go to danbelshan.com for my newsletters.
Go to Dan Belshan on facebook to get the latest.
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Montyman
Group: Members
Posts: 421
Joined: Dec. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 18 2004,5:03 pm |
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I agree with you, Mr. Belshan.
I said ALL of the issues.
That means both sides.
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Ignorant men raise questions that wise men answered a thousand years ago. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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| Post Number: 5
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irisheyes
Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 3040
Joined: Oct. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 18 2004,5:16 pm |
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I can't believe that out of the votes so far, the majority believes that its better to conduct "secret meetings". I would agree that broadcasted meetings would impair the ability to have secrecy with the local government, but thats the point! This isn't the CIA or NSA were talking about here, its our city & county elected officials.
I agree with Mr. Hanson, its odd that when it comes to this subject some of our elected & administrative officials are trying to be fiscally responsible. The only problem I see, is that the manufactures warranty on the camera's won't cover the repairs of being smashed durring budget meetings. 
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You know it's going to be a bad day when you cross thread the cap on the toothpaste.
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minnow
Unregistered
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Posted on: Jan. 18 2004,7:27 pm |
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But can't you see?
They can't "DVD" (DVD means to record on video discs) meetings because the equipment "a dvd recorder" needs its own separate room! And if that's burden enough for you, we can always play the asbestos card. Oh lord! The asbestos will kill us all if we record meetings on disc.
I really don't think it's feasable. I guess we must stay in the dark about what really goes on in meetings unless we skip work and attend in person. 
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| Post Number: 7
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 19 2004,10:11 am |
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Don't be depressed, Irisheyes--I've got to believe that some of those votes for secret meetings were facetious--gallows humor.
It's apparent the "asbestos objection" is not valid. Mr. Belshan confirms what I suspected--tapes and storage are not a problem--any room can be wired for cameras and sound--wireless technology doesn't even require wires.
The City may do what they wish--at least they have KATE to let people know what's going on--but there is no excuse for the County--in the process of BUILDING its new facility that might last, oh, 50 years --to NOT have video capability.
It is apparent that Gabrielson doesn't want the County's dirty laundry aired in public--it is easy to paint people as "disruptive", "obstructionist", "misfits", "cowards", "malcontents", "flies", "gnats", "mosquitoes" etc. in PRINT, but video lets people make up their own mind. HIS reasons are readily apparent. The question should be asked--"Why didn't the Trib. blow his "objections" out of the water?
The presence of TV cameras in the meetings puts the Board (and Gabe) on their best behavior--no outbursts, recorder bashing, etc. (Maybe we could get by with some of those DUMMY video cameras!) I'm tellin' ya, Gabe may have a future as an actor--look at J.R. Ewing--always plotting and scheming--"the man America loves to hate!"
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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ironmaiden
Unregistered
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Posted on: Jan. 19 2004,4:42 pm |
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When they can't be trusted and don't take accountability for what they say or do then by all means tape'  em. The spending in this area is out of control. At least we can have a hand in their knowing that they are being monitored. Besides, with the asbestos, they need to update and get rid of it eventually anyway. No time like the present, prices will only go up in the future. Hang 'em high
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| Post Number: 9
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Montyman
Group: Members
Posts: 421
Joined: Dec. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 19 2004,5:46 pm |
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Broadcast, audio tape, video tape, take shorthand, etc...
Just get it over with.
Then everyone can take the good and bad depending on their opinions (as long as their opinions are respected by others).
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Ignorant men raise questions that wise men answered a thousand years ago. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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| Post Number: 10
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MADDOG
Group: Moderator
Posts: 7821
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 19 2004,6:27 pm |
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Broadcasting/airing should be done as a service to the community. The public has a right see know just exactly what goes on in these meetings. Putting them on a rotating basis would certainly give everyone opportunity. Steve Oman broadcast the two night meetings and he said that what he heard from viewers was all positive.
On a side note(at the second night meeting, KATE broke away front the meeting to broadcast Tiger football. Steve stayed seated up from with his headphones on listening to the game. Gabe and the good 'ol boys thought they were still on the air and behaved like good little boys the whole meeting.)
And on the boards' website it even says | Quote | The public is encouraged to attend those meetings.
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How can very many attend at 8:30 in the morning?
COUNTY BOARD MEETING TUES. 1/20/04 8:30
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Actually my wife is especially happy when my google check arrives each month. Thanks to douchbags like you, I get paid just for getting you worked up. -Liberal
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