INNISFAIL - The Town of Innisfail's council chamber will soon have new and more reliable audiovisual and streaming infrastructure.
And the public will be better served as the existing equipment, including encoders, monitors, a video camera and a video wall, have reached the end of their functional lifespan, said Erica Vickers, the town’s director of corporate services, in a recent report to town council.
“Outdated computer hardware and software also contribute to recurring delays and system failures, resulting in frustration for council members, staff, and members of the public,” added Vickers. “These issues hinder the delivery of efficient, transparent, and accessible council meeting livestreams.”
Vickers said the audiovisual and streaming infrastructure within the town’s council chambers was last updated in 2017, and since then there has been a significant evolution in the way municipalities conduct meetings and engage with the public.
“The demand for technological reliability and support for hybrid participation has become essential to modern governance,” Vickers told council.
She added that the provincial Municipal Government Act (MGA) mandates municipalities provide meaningful access to council meetings, and that includes technological capabilities to support virtual attendance and the clear presentation of council materials.
Vickers told council the proposed upgrades include the replacement of the current video wall behind council that is viewed in-person by the public in the council gallery.
The size of the new video wall behind council, which is now about 136 inches wide, will be about the same. However, viewers will no longer see lines on the screen as is the current case.
“It's a fully seamless TV video wall,” Vickers told the Albertan.
The plan also calls for the replacement of all council members and staff monitors.
Vickers said the monitors will also be lowered to a "pillow-style", which will help the viewing public see staff and council members’ faces when they are talking.
The audiovisual modernization comes with new streaming equipment, one Televic microphone and base unit, and HD wide-angle camera.
The upgrades also call for full replacement of the video management system and associated cabling to ensure reliable performance, as well as updated programming and coding to ensure seamless connection with the town’s livestreaming provider.
Vickers added a new control system interface is needed to manage audiovisual and livestream functions, as well as new wireless presentation systems and video conferencing sound bars for three adjacent meeting rooms.
And council’s desk will be expanded on both sides to allow extra space for Gary Leith, the town’s new director of protective services, and Ken Kowalchuk, the town’s communications and marketing manager.
Vickers told the Albertan council chamber speakers are not being changed.
When Vickers finished her report, she was asked by Mayor Jean Barclay whether the two side monitors in the council chamber were needed as she noted more people were watching the video wall behind council.
“I think the largest screen for the back is suitable, and those ones (side monitors) become awkward at times,” said Coun. Jason Heistad. “From what I witness they are not used as much.”
Vickers told council there was an opportunity to save $20,000 if council opted not to purchase the two side monitors, and it was ultimately agreed not to include them in the final cost.
The current monitors will remain but can be replaced in the future, said Vickers.
After considerable discussion, council unanimously approved a motion to move ahead with the upgrades that are expected to have a final cost in the $107,000 range as council members agreed new side monitors were not needed.
Council was told a contingency allowance of $6,000 was included in the final replacement cost, specifically for the control system component of the upgrade.
In the meantime, council meetings still won’t be available for live viewing. They will be recorded and available following the meeting on the town's website or YouTube.
However, MGA guidelines dictate public hearings must be fully virtual and citizens can request a Zoom link from the town the week before to watch the meeting.
Council was told all work, including installation and testing, is scheduled to be completed between June 24 and July 11.
Vickers told council members that to accommodate the upgrades and ensure uninterrupted access to the council chambers during the installation period, administration will be recommending the cancellation of the Agenda & Priorities meeting on July 7.
