Jeannette reports to be added to city's website, but council balks at broadcasts of meetings

Jeannette officials plan to increase government transparency by adding reports to the city’s website, but a councilwoman’s bid to have public meetings broadcast by video was met with disinterest.

City clerk Nathan Bish said he plans to begin adding communications received by the city and reports from department heads to cityofjeannette.com on a regular basis. Both are read or given during public meetings, but uploading them would make the details more publicly accessible, he said.

“I’d like to start that, if possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, two council members and Bish appeared to be opposed to a proposal by Councilwoman Michelle Langdon to have public meetings broadcast live and for the city to start a YouTube channel. She has posted live recordings of the last few council meetings on her Facebook page, prior to and since joining the group this month after her November election.

“I think it would be a great offering to the community for the city,” she said.

Council members Robin Mozley and Chuck Highlands expressed opposition.

“We are transparent. Any of our records are available to anybody at anytime,” Mozley said.

“Not interested in it,” Highlands said.

Bish wasn’t, either. It would fall on him to record the meetings, upload videos and monitor the channel.

“In my opinion, I don’t think it’s necessary,” he said.