City Council meetings now broadcasted live online

Whitefish City Council meetings are now being live streamed over the internet.

Video feed from the Council meetings can be viewed on a computer or mobile device through the website USTREAM.

The new service began in January and will continue alongside the delayed broadcast of meetings that airs on Charter cable.

“It’s the best of two worlds,” City Manager Chuck Stearns said. “Those that want to watch it on TV can still do that, but now there is another option.”

The city of Whitefish contracts with Jake Cook to video its meetings, which are then replayed on cable channel 190 along with the city of Kalispell’s council meetings.

“Council has wanted to do a live broadcast or live streaming,” Stearns said.

However, Stearns said the cost to do so through the cable company was prohibitive at up to $40,000, but the cost through USTREAM for the live streaming is about $90 per month. Stearns said that so far about 10 viewers have been tuning in, but he expects as word gets out that more folks will begin watching.

Inside the Council Chambers in the new City Hall building, which is set to be completed this spring, will have three video cameras controlled from an audio video room. This should provide different views and an improvement to both broadcasts, Stearns noted.

A link on the city’s website at www.cityofwhitefish.org, under city news takes viewers to the site, or those wishing to view meetings can go to www.ustream.tv and search for Whitefish City Council.