Title
Discussion: Camera angles during public participation at Council meetings
Body
During the recent political season the City Manager, after concerns of electioneering, determined that it was appropriate to modify the angle of the camera in the Council Chamber to show public commenters from the wide angle back camera to eliminate what could potentially be a violation of Missouri statutes. The Mayor Pro Tempore has referred this item to the Rules Committee for discussion. Currently, the City has no rules related to angles and views that are utilized during the broadcast and recording. Staff has searched for rules in other governmental entities and has not found analogous rules related to camera angles and what is shown during public comment and public hearing periods. Most of the rules found governed the ability to the public to separately record the proceedings of a legislative body. Those rules fairly uniformly provide that recording may only be done from areas accessible to the public and utilizing a method that does not interfere with the activities of the legislative body. Given this lack of other authority it is difficult to determine best practices. However, in this situation it is appropriate for the Rules Committee to recommend that the Council vote to give direction to staff related to the current state of the video angles.
Presenter
Brian W. Head, City Attorney