City Meetings Now Online
31 Jul 2007
by: Rochelle Moore
WILSON, NC -- Public meetings held by the city of Wilson are not only available on cable television but are now being offered online.
The city's Web site -- www.wilsonnc.org -- started offering videos of its meetings last week and will provide the meetings either live or on demand.
"The city of Wilson is committed to open, transparent decision-making," said Brian Bowman, public affairs manager. "We've televised public meetings for years. Now, citizens can see public meetings on their computer. They don't have to have cable to see their elected leaders at work."
The videos are available at any time on the Web site and provide a scroll-down menu that allows viewers the ability to watch certain portions of the meeting.
The scroll-down menu includes the meeting agenda, which provides easy access to certain meeting topics.
"This will allow people to find the item that interests them most," Bowman said. "Instead of having to call City Hall to request a copy of the meeting, they can watch it any time in their home or office."
The Web site currently offers several City Council meetings from April to July 19.
Meetings held by the City Council, the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment will all be available on the Web site, as well as editions of the city's "City Talk" and "Around Town" television shows that are currently aired on cable Channel 8.
Other special programming will be available from time to time. Archived videos will be available for one year after their original air date.
The city contracted with San Francisco-based Granicus for the video service, which is being used by 200 cities and towns across the nation. The city of Wilmington currently offers the same online service.
System software, staff training and other equipment cost the city $26,150. The city will pay $100 per program and estimate the monthly cost at $1,000 for 10 shows.
"Granicus is a turn-key operation," Bowman said. "They have created a simple, easy-to-navigate web system that allows city staffers to post about 10 videos each month."
A government calendar is also available on the Web site, providing meeting time confirmation for people wanting to watch meetings live.
To access the video Web page, go to http://www.wilsonnc.org, click on the WTV logo then click on the appropriate links. The service is free and works best with DSL or higher Internet speeds. Dial-up customers are advised to listen to sound only.
About Granicus
Founded in 1999, San Francisco-based Granicus, Inc. helps government reach staff and constituents without barriers. Public agencies trust our webcasting solutions to enable vital improvements to public access, staff efficiency, and government accountability. In addition, the combination of webcasting with public meeting management technology into a single workflow decreases administrative costs and simplifies public recordkeeping tasks. Granicus serves more than 400 governing bodies in 44 states, building close connections with more than 30% of the American population.
Contact
Lauren Alexander
Corporate Communications Manager
415-357-3618 x1788
|