The public can now watch Jefferson city council meetings in real time on their computers or devices as COVID-19 mitigation efforts limit attendance at meetings of elected public officials.
It’s unknown if meetings will continue to be available in that manner once mitigation ends, but residents will be able to watch recordings of meetings on the city’s website or Jefferson Telecom’s public access channel if the council acts on a proposal presented at the April 28 meeting.
Sean Sebourn of Sebourn Video Services offered his services to the council. “This will increase transparency and help people know what’s going on,” mayor Matt Gordon said during the discussion. The recording will also provide an archive of all discussion, while published minutes include only actions taken, not discussions.
Sebourn’s proposed rate is $120 per meeting, which includes set-up, recording the meeting, editing the raw recording, and posting it. Cost for the 23 regular council meetings during a year will be $2,760. Sebourn will also record special meetings of the council at the council’s direction.
Sebourn won’t cut any material in his editing. He’ll add visual indicators of the topic being discussed. He plans to use two cameras during recording, and his editing will incorporate both cameras. He also plans to use eight microphones, with six at the council/staff table, one at the press table, and one for the public to use while addressing the council.
His goal is to have the recording posted within 48 hours of the meeting.
Sebourn’s proposal is on the agenda for the May 12 meeting as an action item.
