Question: Why does the City not stream meetings live on YouTube, and if the reason is financial, what would be the cost?
Response:
Current Broadcast and Streaming Practices
The City of Alexandria currently broadcasts and streams City Council meetings through multiple channels:
- Granicus: Utilized for livestreaming, archiving, and on-demand playback via the City website. Granicus currently serves as the official archival system for public meetings.
- Comcast Cable Channels: Live broadcasts of City Council meetings are available on these PEG channels (70/SD and 1084/HD).
- Zoom: Utilized for virtual participation.
Staff would need to explore the feasibility of streaming Council meetings via YouTube. Staff have determined the current broadcasting hardware does not support that capability.
To determine if the City can stream Council meetings live on YouTube, staff will conduct testing using Zoom to stream on a potential 20 second delay to YouTube until the new broadcasting equipment is installed in the new Council Chambers (Mark Center Drive).
Costs and other impacts: Are yet to be determined.