Live streaming debate the center of council meeting

                     Arguments for and against live streaming council meetings dominated discussion at the Feb. 13 Stow City Council meeting at Stow City Hall.

            This issue raised the most questions and discussion at the meeting. One benefit mentioned was that it would allow more people to be informed about what happens at meetings. This would especially benefit elderly members of the community who have a difficult time leaving their houses, especially at night when the meetings are held.

            Council member Christina Shaw said that multiple people have asked her about doing this. Besides this, Shaw said that there are inexpensive ways of live streaming meetings.  She could use her own computer to do so or a student from Kent State University, the University of Akron or a local high school could help, Shaw said.

            The main concern raised about live streaming meetings is that it is not yet known where the live streams would be stored afterwards. Vice President of Council Jeremy McIntire raised this point several council members agreed.

No one was strongly against the idea, but Sindi Harrison, President of Council, said, “It’s not a bad idea, but it needs more research and thought.”

Live streaming meetings will remain an issue for discussion for future meetings.

An Eagle Scout’s request for funding to repair the porch of Star House, a historic Stow building, was withdrawn. Council members decided to contribute to this project individually and not as a council. Harrison was enthusiastic about contributing to the project and encouraged the other council members to do the same.

The issue of a state-wide lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors also was brought up at the meeting. The government of Ohio wants all municipalities of the state to present a united front in order to get a settlement faster.

Not only would this mean getting the money as soon as possible, but it would also allow Ohio to make a settlement while the companies still have the most money to settle with. However, this has not been agreed upon. This will be discussed more at a future meeting.

Various infrastructure projects were decided on. The painting of lines on the road will be done when the weather improves. A bike connector will be put between Springdale Road and Silver Lake Avenue. Council members also discussed emergency waterline repair.

The Park Board special meeting has been moved to an earlier date. The ordinances discussed, most of which were financial, were generally agreed on.

Council member Denis Altieri said that he believed the most important thing to come out of the meeting was the discussion of the logistics of live streaming.

“It’s an infrastructure question,” council member Cyle Feldman said. “We need to revise the infrastructure first.”

Little debate happened outside of the discussion of live streaming. The council seemed to be in agreement on most issues.

The next city council meeting will be held Feb. 27 on the first floor of City Hall in Stow. The 2020 budget will be decided at this meeting. All are welcome to attend.

 

Tweets

Park Board special meeting has been moved to an earlier date.

Council members have decided to donate to an Eagle Scout individually to repair a historic building.

2020 budget to be announced at the February 27th meeting.

Opiod settlements for the state of Ohio will be discussed in the near future.

Council discussed emergency waterline repair.