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File Number: 12 -245 <br />Councilmember Prola called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. Items 1 and 2 were delayed <br />pending Mayor Cassidy's arrival. <br />Discussion Regarding Amendments to the City's Banner Policy <br />Community Relations Representative Kathy Ornelas reviewed the City's banner policy, <br />contained in the Administrative Code. The banner policy addresses the installation of <br />overhead and decorative banners in the city rights -of -way. The current policy prohibits <br />banners of a strictly a commercial nature to be installed, and an amendment to the policy <br />is being requested by staff in part to accommodate a request from Ghirardelli to put up <br />banners celebrating the company's 160th anniversary. The proposed amendment to the <br />banner policy would allow commercial interests to display banners that celebrate a <br />milestone or special award, recognition, or accomplishment. Design and production of <br />banners, and installation, are handled by an outside contractor, and the applicant is <br />responsible for the cost. The proposed policy amendment also includes a release of <br />liability and proof of insurance requirement. <br />Committee Recommendation: <br />The Committee recommends forwarding the amendments to the City's banner policy to <br />the City Council for review and approval. <br />4. Update on Committee and Commission Digital Audio Recording Pilot <br />Assistant Information Services Manager Kenton Jang provided an update on the digital <br />audio recording pilot program. Two Council Committees (Finance and Rules and <br />Communications) and two boards /commissions (Board of Zoning Adjustments and <br />Planning) are being digitally recorded and the audio files are posted on the City web site. <br />Mayor Cassidy arrived during the presentation of this item, and expressed interest in <br />having all Council Committee meetings recorded. Public Works Services Director Mike <br />Bakaldin reported that the set up and take down of the recording equipment takes about <br />two hours for each meeting, and is currently being handled by Building Maintenance staff. <br />Expanding the program to include all meetings could amount to hundreds of hours per <br />year, and Mr. Bakaldin recommended hiring a part -time staff person to perform the task of <br />equipment setup if an expansion is desired. <br />The Committee discussed the digital recording of meetings and the issues involved. <br />Councilmember Souza pointed out that the quality of the recording must be considered. <br />Mayor Cassidy stated that his goal is a more open, accountable, and transparent <br />government, and that recording Committee meetings is a step toward achieving that goal. <br />He suggested there may be less costly and labor- intensive ways to accomplish the <br />recording set up. <br />Councilmember Prola commented that he would also like to have all Committee meetings <br />recorded, but expressed concerns about staff time and cost. He pointed out that the <br />City of San Leandro Page 2 Printed on 511512012 <br />