On Tuesday, the Amarillo City Council reviewed potential ways to expand livestreaming and recording of public board and committee meetings, as city officials evaluate both public access and staffing limitations.
Kristen Wolbach, director of engagement and innovation, presented an update on the city’s current livestreaming capabilities and outlined several options for expanding coverage. At present, the city is required to record and livestream City Council meetings, including regular sessions, special meetings, and budget workshops where official council business is conducted. Those streams are currently hosted on YouTube.
According to Wolbach, engagement data shows relatively modest but consistent viewership. Council meeting livestreams average around 32 concurrent viewers, with roughly 150 unique viewers per meeting. Viewer behavior suggests most people do not watch full meetings, instead tuning in for specific agenda items, with average watch times estimated at between five and ten percent of a meeting’s duration.
The city currently oversees 42 boards and commissions, though 10 of those operate as Public Improvement Districts with more independent structures. These groups meet across a variety of locations, including the Simms Building, public libraries, and Parks and Recreation facilities. Unlike City Council meetings, most of these sessions are not routinely livestreamed.
Wolbach noted that many similarly sized cities typically limit livestreaming to city council meetings, while some extend coverage to planning and zoning commissions and tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) boards. In Amarillo, the council chamber remains the most technologically equipped space for broadcasting, while Room 1500 in City Hall has partial capabilities. However, the city does not currently have dedicated staff assigned to operate livestreams or manage recordings for additional meetings.
To address these constraints, Wolbach proposed a phased approach, beginning with a pilot program. The initial focus would be on boards that generate higher public interest, such as Planning and Zoning, TIRZ boards, and the Parks and Recreation Board. Expanding to these groups would allow staff to assess demand, measure public engagement, and evaluate operational workload.
Another option discussed included creating portable “meeting kits” with basic audio and video equipment that boards could check out for recording purposes. However, officials noted that this approach could result in inconsistent quality and would still require coordination and oversight.
Following discussion, council members directed staff to move forward with efforts to bring Planning and Zoning and Parks and Recreation board meetings into the council chamber for livestreaming. Staff were also asked to return with additional information on expanding recording and transcription options for other meetings. No formal action was taken, as the item remained in discussion.
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