CALABASAS : Council OKs More Coverage of Meetings

Cable television coverage of city government will be expanded at a cost of about $2,500, the Calabasas City Council has decided.

The money will cover the cost of a camera operator to film about six additional meetings, including planning commission meetings, which have not been previously televised, city officials said.

“I totally believe in the public’s right to know,” said Councilwoman Lesley Devine, who pushed the idea. “I think that public business should be done in public.”

The cost of televising a meeting is about $350, city officials said.

Michael Brockman said the telecommunications and cable committee will study how much it would cost to expand coverage permanently.

He said it is possible the city could save money on labor costs by using college students to film meetings in exchange for college credit.

City officials are also considering acquiring camera equipment.

Today, live broadcasts can seen in the west end of town, while residents in the east end can only see taped versions.

According to a recent poll conducted by the city, 9% of the 600 residents who responded reported watching televised council meetings about once or twice a month, while 41% said they had never watched any meetings.

One city resident, Janice Lee, said she believes the city should make televising meetings a priority.

“This is a rich city, let’s face it,” she said.

“A lot of it has to do with an attempt (by city officials) to shield themselves from the public.”