City Council closer to recording, televising meetings

Published 7:51 pm Wednesday, November 2, 2022

The Lake Charles City Council on Wednesday conducted a final vote regarding the authorization for the city to gather quotes and enter into agreements required to televise and record their meetings.

During the council meeting on Oct. 19, the council voted to defer the final vote due to a lack of clear planning regarding how the ordinance would be put into effect.

At Wednesday’s meeting, there was strong community support. Faith Hooks, Alliance for Positive Growth, presented an official statement of support from the organization. “The Alliance for Positive Growth would like to submit their support of televised City Council meetings as an indication of this body’s continued efforts towards governmental transparency,” she read.

James Chavis, station manager at  KPPM 93.5 FM, expressed the station’s support of the ordinance, and made a public proposition to partner with the city.

“We’re already a community minded-station,” he said. “We’ve worked with many officials in many capacities to help them bring their message to the city of Lake Charles … we want to partner with the city to help bridge the gap between the people who you all represent and those who live in the city.”

From this statement stemmed a conversation regarding requests for proposals.  Luvertha W. August, District B councilwoman, expressed a desire to ensure all interested parties have a fair chance at submitting a proposal.

Rodney Geyen, District C councilman, motioned to amend the ordinance to distribute an RFP (request for proposals), as opposed to obtaining quotes. The amendment passed unanimously. Those interested are encouraged to include what equipment can be confidently provided and what price they will charge. The RFP will be distributed in the coming days.

The ethics of editing recordings of council meetings was heavily discussed. Resident Tasha Guidry presented her concerns of this possibility to the council. “That is unheard of… it is a public meeting in a public forum. If someone decides to present something to the city council at a public meeting, it should be there for an archive for anyone to be able to see and to be able to expound on or watch or repeat.”

Tom Heofer, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Communications and Media Director, took a neutral position and confirmed that editing portions out of a government recording is not a possibility.

“Our operating policies do not allow a public meeting to be edited,” he said. “We require gavel-to-gavel coverage.”

He also said the parish does not have capabilities to live stream; however C-Gov will upload documentation filmed by contractors free of charge.

Craig Marks, District F councilman, who spearheaded this ordinance, confirmed details. The recordings of council meetings will be conducted as a 6 to 12 month temporary test period.  He also confirmed that only the bi-monthly, regular meetings will be recorded.

The ordinance, as amended, passed unanimously with a vote of 7- 0.