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Meeting broadcasts may cost $100,000 for upgrades, training
By DAVE SHELTON
Article published on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |
BELLEAIR BEACH – The city’s cable television advisory committee is looking into upgrades and training that could cost the city up to $100,000.
During the past year, the committee has started videotaping more than just one meeting a month, putting a strain on training programs and leaving those already trained overworked, according to chairman Joe Burke.
Burke, in a report to the City Council April 7, said the committee is also asking several contractors for proposals to upgrade the videotaping facilities and wiring of the new city hall for the operations.
Belleair Beach Cable Television is broadcast on Channel 340 on Bright House Networks. Officials have said there is no statistic showing how many residents watch the broadcasts. Former Mayor Rudy Davis said much is a sense derived from residents who mention that they watched the programs.
Burke told the council that the advisory board members work as volunteers, standing behind the camera through whole meetings while monitoring sound and pictures. They must also operate the digital recording equipment and download the recordings to the cable company for broadcast.
This has left the experienced members too busy to train new volunteers, he said.
Councilman Rob Baldwin, chairman of the city hall building committee, asked Burke to get as much information to the city’s architect by May 1. This way, he said, the BBTV wiring and space needs can be included in the final drawings.
Coincidentally, the council bolstered the cable-TV committee by reappointing former Councilwoman Mary Schoonover. An active part of the program’s creation, she previously served on the committee, before serving on the city council for two years.
Also added to the committee was the newest council member, David Dumville, who also has experience in the communications industry.
Other appointments made by the council were:
• Mayor Lynn Rives, voting delegate to the Barrier Island Governmental Council with Vice Mayor Stan Sofer and Councilwoman Kathy Mortensen as alternates – Mortensen as a member of the board of the Suncoast League of Cities, Sofer as her alternate
• Three residents to the city planning board: James Imfeld, Mark Schwartz and Jody Shirley
• Former Mayor Michael Kelly was reappointed to a new term on the board of adjustment.
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Article published on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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