In years past, any member of the public could request an audio copy of a Harrison Hot Springs council meeting. And for a $10 fee, it was possible.
But that changed “quite some time” ago, Debra Key, deputy chief administrative officer for the Village, explained at Monday’s council meeting.
Members of the public had questioned council why the audio recordings were no longer available. It’s a comment that has come up consistently during the question and answer period at Harrison’s meetings, with the same answer.
“The meeting is being recorded,” Key said, but not verbatim. “The requirement is to record the meeting.”
The recording is done at the convenience of the secretary, and the official minutes include only council business. Many regular council followers are hoping that their questions, and the ensuing responses from staff and council, will be included on record.
And now that audio recordings are commonly available as downloads, or podcasts, on many websites, many are wondering why the Village couldn’t do the same.
After listening to the questions at Monday’s meeting, Councillor Zoltan Kiss made a motion to put the discussion on the agenda for an upcoming meeting. Councillor Allan Jackson seconded the motion, adding that he would also like to revisit audio recordings.
“I’ll second that, but I think I would rather have our staff make a recommendation than have a roundtable discussion here,” he said.
“I’ll agree with that,” Mayor Leo Facio said. “Let them come back to council with some sort of recommendation.”
CAO Ted Tisdale pointed out that verbatim minutes were not to be confused with the official minutes of the meeting.
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