HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/20/2017 15 City Meetings Live Streaming UpdateBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
Item No. 15.
For Meeting of: June 20, 2017
ITEM TITLE: Live streaming of City meetings update
SUBMITTED BY: Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
In an ongoing effort to utilize available and emerging technology to communicate as efficiently
and effectively as possible, the City has subscribed to the I BM Cloud Video Streaming Manager
Silver Edition (dba USTREAM) service to allow live streaming of City meetings covered by Y -
PAC. The Silver Edition, USTREAM's entry-level service, provides a channel for live streaming
of content, 50 gigabits of storage, and 100 viewer hours per month. The annual cost of the
service is about $1,300 and is being paid for from the Community Relations fund.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
1n
Public Trust and Accountability
APPROVED FORC&7
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SUBMITTAL: City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Use Streaming of City Meetings Update - Memorandum 61712017 Co r Memo
HHHORMOUN
To: Yakima City Council Public Members
From: Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler
Subject: Live Streaming of City Meetings Update
Date: June 9t", 2017
Council members,
In an ongoing effort to utilize available and emerging technology to communicate as efficiently
and effectively as possible, the City has subscribed to the IBM Cloud Video Streaming Manager
Silver Edition (dba USTREAM) service to allow live streaming of City meetings covered by
Y -PAC from the Council Chambers at City Hall. The Silver Edition, USTREAM's entry-level
service, provides a channel for live streaming of content, 50 gigabits of storage, and 100 viewer
hours per month. The annual cost of the service is about $1,300 and is being paid for from the
Community Relations fund.
The City has subscribed to the USTREAM service for a period of one year. During that time, the
accessibility of programming streamed by the City and the reliability of the USTREAM service will
be evaluated. Near the end of the one-year subscription period, future use of the USTREAM
service will be determined.
More and more video content is being consumed via live streaming. Adding live streaming
capabilities to the City's existing methods of making Y -PAC programming available to the
community, which include on channel 194 on the Charter Spectrum cable system, via the City's
YouTube channel, and online via the Y -PAC Video -on -Demand system, is a natural and logical
next step in the evolution of the distribution of Y -PAC programming.
Through the USTREAM service, viewers will be able access live streaming of City meetings from
the Council Chambers at City Hall on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, mobile device, etc. The
USTREAM service will provide increased accessibility and convenience for viewers wanting to
see Y -PAC programming from the Council Chambers in real time.
Before determining that the USTREAM service was the most flexible and cost-effective live
streaming option available to meet the City's current needs, several potential live streaming
solutions were evaluated. Many of the solutions researched by the Community Relations office
proved to be either too costly or simply did not fit the parameters of the City's desired outcomes
for live streaming.
A distinct advantage of the USTREAM service is that it is scalable. If fewer than 100 viewer
hours per month are used on the City's USTREAM channel, the unused hours will be "banked"
and carried over to succeeding months. Should the City's live streaming result in more than 100
viewer hours of usage per month, through a simple process additional viewers hours can be
added to the City's agreement (for an additional cost).
The Community Relations office is pleased to be adding yet another platform to the growing
number of communications options it utilizes to share important information with the community.
Live streaming of Y -PAC programming further enhances the City's ability to connect with more
people in the community. The Community Relations office looks forward to the opportunities live
streaming capabilities will provide now and in the future.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the City's various communications platforms
in general or its USTREAM service agreement in specific.