File photo of Council Chamber at Lethbridge City Hall. Technological upgrades are coming to Council Chamber. (Photo: City of Lethbridge)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge City Council Chamber set for upgrades

Jul 26, 2023 | 9:52 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Some technological upgrades are coming to Lethbridge City Hall.

Starting on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, several updates will be implemented in Council Chamber. The infrastructure additions will include:

• More than 26,000 feet of new wiring
• New audio tabletop units with new microphones for better audio clarity on livestreams
• Four new cameras
• New electronic nameplates that can be quickly changed for different users and meeting types
• Accessible entry to the main Chamber doors
• The media bench will have new plug-ins and ethernet access
• Increased fiber networking capacity for future needs

Ryan Westerson, Legislative Services Manager said, “For a variety of reasons, this refresh is required to support the current needs and expectations of City Council and the public to maintain accessible meetings in an ever-changing online and technology-driven world.”

Westerson added that some of the infrastructure has not been upgraded since the current City Hall opened in 2000.

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He said, “These upgrades will ensure better reliability and amplify the meeting experience for Council members, as well as strengthen the public’s ability to participate in the democratic process.”

Upgrades to Council Chamber at Lethbridge City Hall are set to be completed in time for council’s first meeting back after summer break in mid-September. (Photo: City of Lethbridge)

Lethbridge City Council held its last regular scheduled meeting before the summer break on Tuesday, July 25, and will return in mid-September. The upgrades are set to be completed in time for council’s return.

BACKGROUND

Lethbridge-based DRC Communication is one of the companies contracted for the work. They are the same company who ran previous wires to set up Council Chamber before it opened 23 years ago.

Officials added that 23 years prior to the opening of the current City Hall, on January 10, 1977, local media had the opportunity to record audio and video at a council meeting for the first time. Outlets at that time worked out a system to pool microphones, an amplifier and other equipment.

The City said the goal was to produce higher quality and more complete newscasts of council meetings, as well as full video recordings for rebroadcasting purposes.

Councillor Belinda Crowson, who also serves as president of the Lethbridge Historical Society said, “Council meetings have always open to the public, but the 1977 tech enhancements allowed outlets of that time to have electronic media for covering City Council.”

Crowson added, “Since that time, there have been continual improvements in regard to openness and transparency. Similar to the goals in 1977, here in 2023 we are striving to make it more convenient for our residents to be more aware of Council meetings and provide better options for keeping up with decisions being made.”

The City of Lethbridge has livestreamed council meetings online since 2011. The 2023 council calendar can be viewed online. The latest upgrades are being funded through existing lifecycle budgets.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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