By Elisabeth Strillacci

KANNAPOLIS — After several nudges from city council members, the council as a whole has requested that the city staff gather information on what it will take to televise city council meetings.

The effort has been spearheaded by council member Doug Wilson, who has been asking about the possibility for some time.

During the most recent council meeting, Wilson expressed some frustration with the delay.

“How long are we going to have to wait to get an answer on this?” he asked.

City Manager Mike Legg said he would need a directive from the council as a whole requesting that staff gather information on what it would take.

Mayor Darrell Hinnant said the item was not on the agenda and asked city attorney Andrew Kelly how the council should go about either adding it to the agenda for a vote or if they could be less formal.

“I believe that if you have a consensus from all the council members that you all wish to direct Mr. Legg to investigate this issue, that should suffice,” said Kelly. “You don’t actually have to add it as an agenda item.”

All seven members of the council agreed to the request.

“Other much smaller towns are already doing this,” said Wilson, “so I’m not sure why we can’t.”

At least one resident spoke in favor of being able to watch the meetings from home, saying that she and others who are either elderly or who have to work during meeting times would still like to be able to keep up with what is happening in the city.

Hinnant encourages attendance at meetings and thanks those who are present during each meeting, and Wilson said giving residents the chance to also participate by watching the meetings is a way to get more involvement.

“Ever since COVID, I know people have gotten used to going online to watch things, from church to weddings I’m told, and I think this would be a great way for people to be more aware of what is happening in their city,” Wilson said.

Ryan Dayvault noted at a previous meeting that he agrees, saying that “a number of younger people seem to be turning to the internet to get information, so if they could access our meetings there as well, it could be a great way to get younger people involved.”

Legg said he would instruct the staff to begin to gather details that he can then present to the council regarding any potential equipment needs, the cost and any other requirements.

A number of towns began offering online meetings during COVID and though some have now stopped, many have continued the practice, including the town of Spencer, which now has its own YouTube Channel for meetings.