Time for an audio upgrade at city hall

I often get cassette tapes of city meetings. First thing I do is DIGITIZE them to make them practical - - no one has time to wind through analog linear tape to find that instance when, for instance, developer Mark Carstensen promised two-story buildings in Shoppes at Wyndham Village that are now forbidden by semi-secret agreement with Target .

I've been prodding the Franklin city clerk to make the jump to a digital recorder, thereby eliminating the need to actually pause the proceedings in order to flip the cassette (a familiar ritual at city hearings).

Add to that requisition some additional (and better) microphones.

From Franklinnow.com:

Audio vacancy nearly halts construction plans for hotel

By JOHN NEVILLE
[email protected]

Posted: Jan. 30, 2008

The Franklin Plan Commission last week averted a construction delay on the city's first upscale hotel.

Foundation work on the $10 million Staybridge Suites extended-stay hotel is scheduled to begin next week in the 9500 block of South 27th Street, but a gap in an audiotape from a fall commission meeting could have put that work on hold.

The issue came to light recently when city planning staff noticed a difference between plans submitted by hotel management firm Bricton Group and a site and architecture plan approved last fall by the commission.

The problems originated from a few missing sentences from a Sept. 20 meeting. Mayor and Plan Commission Chairman Thomas Taylor said the culprit was people not speaking into the microphones, not a malfunctioning recording system.

The missing dialogue concerned brick and stone surfaces as part of the hotel design.

In the original plan, the hotel's outside walls did not have enough brick and stone to meet the zoning "preferred" standards for the South 27th Street overlay district, City Planning Manager Joel Dietl said.

Within its purvey, the Plan Commission allowed those masonry materials to be relocated from the hotel's interior courtyard to north and south walls on the exterior facade.

Although Bricton Senior Vice President P. Michael Cohen and Plan Commissioner Shari Hanneman recalled having a conversation about the switch, it wasn't recorded or transcribed. City Attorney Jesse Wesolowski said there was no record of the conversation.

The issue prompted Bricton representatives to request clarification of the commission's OK of site and architectural plans.

Commissioners initially considered putting the issue on its February meeting agenda so the site plan amendment could be considered, but Cohen said preliminary construction would have to be halted for weeks, putting their projected summer opening in jeopardy.

After about 45 minutes of discussion, the commission unanimously passed a motion to eventually have city building inspectors verify relocation of brick and stone from the courtyard to the hotel's north and south facades to ensure the project is done to the commission's standards.

The commission's action allows an early construction permit to be obtained, but Dietl said Bricton has to prove that it has made the switch before a full-fledged construction permit would be issued, which would allow work on the building to begin.

 

John Neville can be reached at (262) 446-6609.

Comments

[Janet Evans]

I don't visit your blog...I'm really busy. But obviously you read mine. How do I know that? Because on Patrick Mcllheran's blog you took a jab at my blog
http://blogs.jsonline.com/mcilheran/default.aspx

Hmmm...What did I do to you?

Anyway...Since I am stopping by I found this topic interesting since I have purchased two "tapes" from an EC meeting in the past. Not only were they almost impossible to understand, but there is so much background noise, cell phone interference, loud laughing overriding the actual voices in the meeting and poor quality in general, that it just makes it not worth the effort to listen to the tapes.

Plus...I had to dig up an old cassette player..who really uses those anymore?

I agree with you on this.

But I also say, keep the meetings to the point and follow the agenda. We don't need comedy club routines on these tapes. It doesn't sound pretty.

[John Michlig]

At meetings I attend, I use a digital recorder that cost me under $100. It holds 10 hours+ of audio, captures the ambient sound very, very well (far superior to "official" tapes) and it allows for instant access of any piece of audio you might need. On more than one occasion I've been able to answer protests of "I didn't say that" with the actual recording of the actual quote.

The city would do well to go to that sort of set up, in addition to more room mics.

This city desperately needs to upgrade the TRANSPARENCY of its development procedures, and I can assure you there are people who want the exact opposite to occur.

[Bryan Maersch]

The Franklin Technology Commission has been looking into bringing all the City meetings into a on line E-City environment. But as you know, taxes are an issue with most Franklin residents. While as you state one digital recorder is $100 and we would need multiple recorders. The TC is a body of technology professionals that are looking at the whole picture instead of a small piece as stated in the Strategic Technology Plan that was recently presented to the Common Council. If we are going to purchase technology for the city, we want to make sure that it will be compatible with the E-City environment we want to build. However if you know of any corporation or citizen that is willing to donate several digital recorders, bring them on. I am sure the city will not turn them away.

Also the article you blogged about by John Neville and the gap in the recording was due to participants not speaking into the microphone provided.

Janet, as for your comment, I was at that EC meeting and with the EC's poor organization at that meeting, I don't think there was anyone there who knows how to properly use a simple analog tape recorder, much less a digital one. The meeting reminded me of a free - for - all.

[Janet Evans]

Bryan,

Thanks for your info about the meeting. If you want to listen to how that meeting sounded on tape...let me know!

I agree that taxpayers are not going to be interested in purchasing digital recorders right now, considering the current tax situation...

I feel sorry for those who have to transcribe these meetings when they have to listen to what I heard.

I can only go by the two tapes I had and by my observations from attending another EC meeting.

Also, I think all cell phones should be turned off when you are seated next to recording equipment.

[Greg Kowalski]

Yes, that's exactly what Franklin residents DON'T want to pay for - better recording devices for better transparency in government.

At least that's only 2 residents I know of that would NOT want to pay the extra what? Ten cents? I mean, c'mon - if several digital recorders are available at $100 a piece, that means we're talking about $700 split among 33,000 residents plus all the businesses in Franklin.

Now if the recorders cost thousands of dollars a piece, we might have something.

Right now, the statements made: "You know, $700 is just TOO MUCH for Franklin taxpayers!" is a little weak. Especially when you look-over the data sheets on how much money the City spends on other things every month, like light poles, ink cartridges, and road projects.

[Janet Evans]

Greg, in fairness, no one said this: "Right now, the statements made: "You know, $700 is just TOO MUCH for Franklin taxpayers!"

I agree with you, there is too much wasteful spending. If digital recorders can be purchased with money "in the budget" then I don't think there would be opposition. There's no argument being started here. Since the Technology Commission is looking into an online E-city government, perhaps Bryan already knows what the budget would allow.

Actually, wouldn't it be nice if all meetings should be video recorded? Now there's transparency. The School Board meetings used to be video recorded. I never have found out why that ended.

[Greg Kowalski]

Janet,

It probably "cost too much."

When it comes to open and transparent government, I strongly believe that opposition will be extremely tiny, and those in favor will be a significant majority.

If our budget "can't afford it" today, then I stand with Janet - eliminate the wasteful spending done on a monthly basis, and I'll be pretty darn sure that $700 will not be an issue.

[Bryan Maersch]

As per usual Janet, Greg does not read what is written.

The Technology Commission does not just go into a tizzy like the EC does over a pamphlet rack. Unlike the pamphlet rack, there is major costs involved in Technology. Especially if you do not want to spend taxpayer dollars over and over again to get it right. They look at the total picture (hence the Strategic Technology Plan) to make sure that what they are spending taxpayer money for is part of a thought out process.

But what do you expect from the EC as they have been working for the past couple of years Discussing the Administrative rules, Procedures and order. They still don't even have that down yet.

[Bryan Maersch]

One last thing I want to reiterate. It is not the $700 for digital recorders that is at issue. It is making sure if we buy digital recorders that the infrastructure to allow for E-City technology is compatible with what we buy. That is what can run into a much higher expenditure. The vision is there but the Technology Commission does not believe in knee jerk management of the city's technology resources.

[Greg Kowalski]

Bryan,

There's absolutely no need to bring the Commission I sit on when you're trying to make a point relative to your Commission.

That's just rather childish.

So, how long will the Technology sit on this "strategic technology plan?" I have a bad feeling that it's all words with no actions, and the excuse to keep residents at bay when asked will be: "We're trying to save your taxes!"

I'm sick of excuses and want answers. If that makes people on Commissions relate to what you'd call, "Going into a tizzy," so be it.

[Bryan Maersch]

No, Greg I am just stating my observations about the commission you sit on as Janet brought up how disorganized it sounded on the tapes. The tapes do tell the story and a digital recorder can't change that. Kristen told me herself she feels she is the only one competent to be on that commission hense the disorganization. But that aside, at least the Technology Commission has a planned course of how to proceed with the technology needs of the city and how to review those needs with out going off half cocked like you propose.

That is why the City Council has stated how much they admired the Stratigic Plan and it's organization on how to go forward with technology for the city. While they sniggerd at the bumblings of the EC that could barely put together in a half way inteligent plan on the City's recycling plan at their last meeting.

Sorry but the TC does not do business the way you are use to.

[Greg Kowalski]

Unfortunately, Bryan, my Commission was never the main focus of this discussion - it was the technology of the City of Franklin, of which there's a Technology Commission.

The only way the EC was brought into this was through you, Bryan, who seems to be bent on trying to find something to "pick on" because apparently someone must have received orders to change the subject.

As for the Council meetings for both of our Commissions, I couldn't say whether or not the Council "admired" yours. Unfortunately, I don't think you have any right to state the things the Council supposedly "sniggerd" during the EC's presentation. You weren't at that meeting!

Unless, of course, the person who's giving you orders is also providing some insight from within the Council's personal discussions on issues. But then again, how could there be a consensus unless all the Council members were talking outside of a public meeting on a City matter...which would be technically be illegal...

Hmmmmm......

As a final note, I think your mission to get the final jab at me is quite sad. It shows the level of professionalism and maturity you have...which apparently isn't much.

[Bryan Maersch]

Again your understanding of Technology is simplistic and juvenal. So I will not bother to respond any further.