HomeMy WebLinkAbout5 Televising Board Meetings Agenda Item #
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Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunications Services
Date: January 14, 2005
Subject: Workshop: Televising TDPUD Board Meetings
Summary
At your second meeting in December 2004 you directed staff to look into the feasibility and
cost of televising TDPUD Board meetings on Truckee's local television channel, TTV6. Staff
has met with TTV6 personnel and subsequently received a proposal for the airing of TDPUD
Board meetings. In that this is the first time the Board and staff have discussed the various
options available we have scheduled this item as a workshop.
History
The carriage of public meetings on TTV6 began while the Town of Truckee Council
meetings were held in the TDPUD Board Room. At that time cameras were placed in the
rear of the Board Room and were operated by students and volunteers. So as to provide
live carriage a dedicated coaxial cable was installed from the TDPUD building to the TTV6
studio at Truckee High School. Following the Town's move to Airport Road the local cable
television company, USA Media, disconnected the feed. At this time it is not known if the
connection is still intact.
As part of the Town's Council Chambers construction project at their Airport Road location a
"control room" was installed to operate multiple permanently mounted cameras, sound
equipment and video presentation monitors. Today all Council and Planning Commission
meeting are aired "live" and allow the television audience to see all angles of the Council
Chambers as well as all Power Point presentations.
Today several local public agencies have their meetings televised in either a live or tape
delayed format on TTV6. Generally speaking, public meetings that take place in the
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evening, 6PM to 10PM are carried live while those occurring during business hours, 1PM to
5PM, are tape delayed so as to allow the public to view the meeting during "prime time"
hours.
New Information
Staff has met with John Echols, Instructor and Manager of TTV6, regarding the televising of
TDPUD Board meetings. Below are two options proposed by Mr. Echols.
1. TTV6 to provide a camera for taping, or live broadcast providing a modulator and coaxial
cable run from the TDPUD to TTV6 is set up for insertion into the existing cable system.
TTV6 will bill TDPUD $50 / hr plus tape expenses if needed for one camera operator.
Advantage: Low cost with no outlay for equipment from TDPUD.
Disadvantages: Poor camera angle coverage. If the "staff table" stays in the same location
we would see backs of heads of staff and public speakers. Potentially poor audio. Poor
coverage of electronic (Power Point or Overhead Projector) presentations.
2. TDPUD invests in three remote controlled wall mounted camera. Video signal could be
taped or shown live on TTV6. TTV6 will bill TDPUD $50 / hr plus tape expenses if needed
for one camera operator.
Advantages: Good coverage from cameras of directors, staff and public as well as
integration of electronic presentations. Ease of use by a single person controlling the
cameras.
Disadvantages: Larger up-front cost for equipment, approximately$10,000
Equipment needed:
3 remote wall mounted cameras @ $1,300 ea
Video switcher $1,500
Router $1,500
Camera control system w/ interface $2,000
Audio mixing board or controller $1,000
In addition, TDPUD will need to hire a consultant or company to wire and install this
equipment. TTV6 has recommended a consultant located in Reno. We have requested a
quote, but have not received it as of this writing.
Recommendation
This is a Workshop item. There is no recommendation at this time.
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