Coming Soon: City Meetings on Streaming Video

Currently there are two ways to watch meetings of the Falls Church City Council, the Planning Commission, and the School Board.

The easiest is to view the sessions on Falls Church Cable Television.  However, not everyone has cable and those economizing due to the recession may be inclined to cancel it, given that a typical bill now is approaching $1,000 a year.

The other way is the old fashioned way — actually attend the various meetings.  But who wants to leave their house on a dark and stormy night?  And even if the weather cooperates, many citizens’ schedules likely will not.

Falls Church soon will offer a third way for people to see their government in action.  On Tuesday evening the City Council appropriated $20,000 for a system that will enable citizens to begin viewing local government meetings via the Internet. 

Not only will people be able to watch a live streaming video webcast, they also will have the opportunity to view the sessions later at their convenience.  They even will have the option of using an index feature to view specific topics, rather than watch an entire meeting.  The system also will facilitate the City clerk’s preparation of the minutes of the various meetings.

In endorsing purchase of the system, Mayor Robin Gardner stated that it opens up a world of possibilities and hopefully will enhance community participation in the decision-making process.

The system’s vendor is Granicus, Inc., a ten year old San Francisco company which provides live and on-demand streaming media for government.  Granicus’ Virginia clients include Arlington and Loudoun counties and the cities of Fairfax, Alexandria, and Charlottesville.  Granicus’ web site provides information on system features and operation, though it is unclear if Falls Church’s contract with the firm will include all features advertised on the website.

The appropriation, which will be drawn from the FY 2009 contingency fund, represents the General Government’s share for the system’s hardware and software.  Minimum maintenance costs will be absorbed in FY 2010.  The School Board will fund their portion of the costs from their FY 2010 budget once the final participation decision is made.

Effective government ultimately depends upon a concerned and informed citizenry.  FCC-TV now provides a useful window into the process.  Streaming video will provide an even sharper view.

Until the “stream” starts to flow cable viewers may tune in on Cox Channel 12, Verizon Channel 35, or RCN Channel 2.  The Council usually meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:30 pm; the Planning Commission on the first and third Mondays at 7:45; the School Board on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 8:30.