LIVE @ Asheville Governance Committee meeting 07/24/18

Asheville Governance Committee Approves Live Streaming of Council Committee Meetings

The Asheville Governance Committee convened on July 24, 2018, to discuss and ultimately move forward with a plan to live stream Asheville City Council committee meetings. The meeting, led by Dawa and attended by several committee members (Speakers 3 & 4), centered on a proposal to enhance public access and engagement with local government proceedings. This initiative aims to bring greater transparency and accessibility to Asheville’s decision-making processes, aligning with the city's goal of meeting residents where they are – online.

The core discussion revolved around a proposal to transition from the previous Ustream platform to Facebook Live for live streaming. Committee members explored various options, including prioritizing Council Committees, Public Safety, Planning and Economic Development (PED), and Finance committees. While acknowledging the potential benefits of expanding to other boards and commissions, a consensus emerged that focusing on Council Committee meetings first would be the most strategic approach. Concerns were raised about managing public questions during live streams, with a suggestion to record these inquiries and address them in a manner similar to traditional public comment periods. Technical considerations, including utilizing a stationary camera and reprioritizing existing resources, were also discussed to ensure efficient implementation.

Although no formal votes were taken during the meeting, a significant direction was given to staff. The committee formally endorsed a plan to prioritize live streaming Council Committee meetings, with the possibility of expanding this service to other boards and commissions based on community interest and viewership data. A key takeaway was the commitment to implement Facebook Live broadcasting of Council Committee meetings within the next three months, accompanied by a marketing plan to inform residents about this new accessibility feature. Staff will also be responsible for reporting back on viewership analytics after the initial three-month period, providing valuable insights into community engagement and informing future decisions.

While no direct public comments were recorded in the transcript, Dawa noted that the community had previously expressed interest in live streaming meetings of Public Safety, PED, and Finance committees. Committee members also suggested soliciting recommendations from boards and commissions regarding which meetings would benefit most from live streaming, further demonstrating a commitment to responsiveness.

Looking ahead, residents can expect to see Council Committee meetings streamed live on Facebook within the next three months. Staff will also be examining existing video recording practices and reporting back to the committee on community engagement efforts. This initiative represents a significant step towards greater transparency in Asheville’s local government, allowing residents to more easily follow the discussions and decisions that shape their community. The committee’s decision underscores a commitment to open government and aims to foster increased public participation in local affairs.