[Press Release] : ‘CityStream’ links citizens and local officials

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Toni Messina, Communications Director - (573) 874-7660 or Bill
Watkins, City Manager - (573) 874-6338 

‘CityStream’ links citizens and local officials

COLUMBIA, MO (April 30, 2009) - The Columbia City Council steps into
cyberspace next week if all goes as planned. Citizens and others with
high-speed online access should be able to view the Council meetings
live, over the Internet, starting Monday, May 4. This service is in
addition to meeting broadcasts over the City Channel.

Dubbed “CityStream,” this new service also will allow users to view
archived meeting video within 24 hours after the meeting ends. A viewer
can see the whole meeting or click on a link in an online meeting agenda
and see only the video associated with a specific item. Supporting
documents will be available at the same location.

“Council members have asked for this service for citizens for several
years,” Watkins said, “but the cost of buying broadband capacity was
excessive, considering the small number of users that could be
accommodated at one time.”

Finally, Watkins said, needs converged with available technology.
Granicus, the vendor chosen to stream meetings and store archive,
brought a product to the table with the right features at the right
price. “Granicus has government clients across the country. Although
we purchased what I would consider a basic starter package, and not
bells and whistles, citizens will get good value.”

Public Communications Director Toni Messina said that start-up costs
are less than $15,000, plus a monthly management fee, and are supported
by funding recommended by the Public Communications Resources Advisory
Committee and approved by the City Council. “We applied for funding
through the Committee’s competitive process earlier this year and were
very pleased when we got approval.” 

CityStream is not only a technological advance but also a tool for
wider citizen engagement, according to Messina. “When we applied, we
linked CityStream to the community’s vision for a more transparent
government process. What we’ll want to know is, are more citizens
getting involved by using the Internet? Do they think this service helps
them communicate with local officials?”

Messina said that a link on the city’s home page will take users to
the viewing site. “Effective May 4, start with www.GoColumbiaMo.com,
and then click on “City Council Meetings” in the black bar at the
top of the page. Tell us about your experience and how we can serve you
better.”

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