Audio Equipment - Committee Concerns be Damned

Live audio feed and video was discussed last night (8/17/2015) during the Services, Utilities and Equipment Committee meeting. The finance director did not think it was important to get the option for video. She stated “I don’t know if we want to go to that point with the extra money.” She didn’t feel she could justify the expense for video. She believes the original goal of audio recordings on the website along with microphones and speakers for council chambers has been researched as she has sought 3 to 5 quotes. Committee members comprised of Paul Vincent, Dave Tadych and Karen Lieske would all like the video option for down the road as Vincent said “it’s not a whole lot more money”. Trying to get video later may require a new system and more expense.

When asked about live feed, Mrs. Mahoney said “…it will always be after the fact just because if someone swears or something we want the ability to remove that.” And the hair on the back of my neck stood up with the mention of editing the recordings in any way for any reason. Alex Dade, representing the League of Women Voters was quick to point out that the FCC does not control content on a website.

Along with the options and prices, the committee would like to hear some sample audio from these companies and to find out who our neighboring cities are using, what services and are they satisfied with the performance.

There was talk of meeting again on Sept. 14. I hope the committee does not lose sight of the intent of the gesture from the LWV and stays firm in not only what they want but what they know the public wants and deserves. (end of this Facebook post dated 8/18)

(8/27/2015) I’m tired of the recording equipment project dragging on too, but when someone, in this case the League of Women Voters, gives you $10,000, you should probably do what is asked of you.

Imagine my surprise when I read in the Westlife yesterday that the mayor “signed a purchase order for $15,953 to Jefferson Audio Video Systems of Louisville, Ky., for recording equipment”. I attended the August 17th Services, Utilities and Equipment Committee meeting and did not see that coming.

During the meeting committee members agreed they would like to hear sound samples from vendors regarding the recording/microphone equipment. Although Finance Director Renee Mahoney expressed that she felt she had attained the original goals for the project, the committee: comprised of Paul Vincent, Karen Lieske and Dave Tadych, addressed the importance of obtaining feedback from local cities about satisfaction with their equipment rather than just feedback from the companies Renee contacted. Also, there was mention that a meeting in September would further this discussion and provide additional information to address real concerns about sound quality.

After reading that the mayor had a signed purchase order, I emailed the committee my understanding from this meeting. I included “Surely there was no time to comply with these requests of the committee. Were there meetings or conversations that occurred between 8/17 and this p.o. being signed? How did we go from all these questions to a decision? Do we have meeting notes or copies of emails to fill in the blanks and explain how this was handled? I felt it was clear the committee had more questions – what have I missed?”

I received a response that the committee was under the same impression as I. – “but the administration went ahead and purchased the equipment.” Mayor Sutherland and Ms. Mahoney are out this week.

I am putting in a request for recent public records for any correspondence regarding this issue. 

(9/2) One should not assume that requesting public records will get you all the information and answers you seek. The absence of a quorum means the Open Meeting Act does not necessarily apply. Members of the public have no right to meetings or emails, etc. if, for example, only two council members were to discuss an issue. It can be a subtle way around the state’s Sunshine Laws. Also, in the State of Ohio there is no specific time period for records to be produced once requested. There is no law to clarify how long is too long to produce records.