CLEARLAKE – Clearlake's City Council gave direction to city staff to work with the PEG Channel to allow for the live broadcasts of council meetings.

Allen Markowski, interim station manager of PEG/Channel 8, began broadcasting the twice-monthly meetings live on June 12.

City Administrator Dale Neiman wanted direction from the council about whether they approved of the broadcasts, as well as consideration of wiring for cameras, if there should be a "kill" switch in case of profanity or other inappropriate conduct and location of cameras. He also wanted to know if they wanted signs to be posted notifying the public of the live filming, and if the Planning Commission also should be filmed.

"This is something that the people have been wanting for a long time," said Council member Joyce Overton.

Overton suggested having signs in City Hall telling people the meetings are being broadcast, along with a statement to that effect on all council agendas.

Council member Judy Thein said broadcasting the meetings supported transparency in government. "I think this is a good way of connecting with the community."

Since Markowski started filming the meetings last month, Mayor Curt Giambruno said he has received numerous telephone calls from people, thanking him for the meetings being filmed.

Like his other colleagues, Vice Mayor Chuck Leonard was supportive, saying he has always felt broadcasting the meetings was important. He also supported the Planning Commission meetings being filmed, and felt the decision was up to the council. "I think we believe in open government."

Videographer Hiram Dukes disagreed with the kill button restriction, asking what the difference was between that and what was done under Soviet rule in Moscow.

Leonard responded that the button was only to deal with vulgarity.

Neiman said such a switch also can be appropriate in other situations, such as it was at a meeting he once was at in another city where he had to break up a fist fight. Dukes, however, said they should still keep the cameras rolling in such cases.

Businessman Vince Metzger agreed with Dukes, saying kill switches indicate this isn't a free society. He said he wants to see the fights and the bad along with the good, and doesn't want anyone else deciding what he sees.

Markowski told the council that if the council chamber is properly wired for filming, it will provide a "unique opportunity" to broadcast other meetings, and allow for officials such as the police chief to broadcast information in emergency situations.

Thein and Overton were in favor of inviting the Planning Commission to give input on broadcasting their meetings.

Giambruno repeated his support for filming both bodies. "We've talked for too many years about this and never done it," he said, adding that the new PEG Committee is working well.

Neiman said he had enough direction to move forward with the broadcasting plans.

Markowski said he is looking at Saturdays for possibly rebroadcasting the council meetings, but he welcomes idea and comments. He can be reached at 994-8201 Extension 109, via e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at the station's Web site, www.laketv8.com.

He'll be featured in a call-in interview show on Channel 8 beginning at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 16. Markowski will talk about the station's mission and answer questions from callers. Calls can be directed to interviewer Dante DeAmicis at 408-482-0921.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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