Port of Olympia commission expands video coverage of its meetings

The Port of Olympia commission — including its newest member, E.J. Zita — voted unanimously Monday to expand video coverage of its meetings.

It also will end its broadcast arrangement with Thurston Community Television (TCTV) and move forward with a new company.

Until now, only the Monday Port of Olympia commission meetings have been televised by TCTV, not the Thursday work sessions. Residents had pushed for more transparency.

“I would like every port commission event or meeting to be televised,” said Olympia resident Bev Bassett.

The commission agreed Monday to record on video the commission, work session and special commission meetings, excluding only the port’s citizens advisory committee meetings. Commissioner Bill McGregor asked that before including the citizens advisory committee meetings that they check in with the group and get their input.

Meanwhile, the port will move forward with a Bothell-based company called AV Capture All, which will install cameras, equipment and software at a cost of $27,000. The annual operating cost will be $3,000. That compares to a TCTV installation proposal with a $40,000 pricetag and an annual operating cost of $10,000, according to data shared at the meeting.

The port’s human resource manager, Jeri Sevier, made the AV Capture All presentation on Monday. Staff will be able to operate the equipment and stream meetings live on the port website, and the technology can be integrated with the port’s security system. Videos also can be shared with TCTV, she said.

The new system could be up and running as early as late January or early February, depending on when the port contacts the business after the holidays, Sevier said.

After the decision, resident Bassett had two words for the commission:

“Thank you,” she said.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Port of Olympia commission expands video coverage of its meetings."