Safety Harbor cable access channels will go dark on March 1, 2017
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The City of Safety Harbor will no longer air live City Commission meetings after broadcast partners in Oldsmar voted last week to discontinue the cities’ local cable access channels.
The move will go into effect March 1, 2017.
The decision comes four years after Safety Harbor officials agreed to enter into a partnership with Oldsmar to produce the city’s cable channels, which broadcast the bi-monthly commission meetings and community news bulletins as well as other local and county government content.
At the time, the move was expected to save more than $40,000 in equipment upgrades and allow Safety Harbor’s IT staff to increase its online presence.
A recent survey conducted via Oldsmar’s cable channels received little to no useful feedback, according to the City Clerk, and with a newly upgraded city website as well as a YouTube channel that replays meetings and workshops, Oldsmar officials had no qualms about pulling the plug.
“It’s not like they’re going away,” Mayor Doug Bevis said of the meetings. “They’ll be still on YouTube, which is probably the easier way for people to watch them at their leisure.”
“It’s a waste of money,” City Council member Jerry Beverland added.
According to Safety Harbor officials, the decision by their neighbors at the top of the bay was not unexpected, and their efforts throughout the partnership were appreciated.
“In the spring of 2013 the City of Safety Harbor conducted a similar survey, receiving less than half a dozen responses over a months’ time,” City Manager Matt Spoor said via email.
“Based on this input the City Commission decided against spending over $40,000 to replace some needed television equipment and instead decided to update the City website and increase our online presence while partnering with Oldsmar on a Television Station.”
“The partnership was beneficial to Safety Harbor over the last four years,” Spoor added. “We certainly understand and appreciate the decision they faced and will continue to support our neighbors in their future communication efforts.”
Spoor said anyone who wishes to view the city meetings will still be able to so via a link on the City of Safety Harbor website, as has been the case for the last few years.
He also said the city may look into adding a YouTube channel similar to Oldsmar’s in the future.
Safety Harbor’s cable access channels currently air on Ch. 15 (Knogloy/WOW), Ch. 615 (Brighthouse/Spectrum) and Ch. 25 (Verizon/Fios).
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From someone who travels 2 weeks out of the month, I really appreciate the city continuing the website. And it would be a bonus if we can watch thru YouTube.
Thanks Matt for continuing to provide the website option and looking into the YouTube option. Appreciate it.