MENDOCINO COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE
NEWS RELEASE
Ukiah, California… January 8, 2016
COUNTY EXPANDS ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS, INCLUDING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS; MENDOCINO ACCESS TELEVISON INTENDS TO DISSOLVE
As the County continues to upgrade its information technology infrastructure and provide more transparency in its operations, live streaming of the Board of Supervisor’s meetings is now provided through the County website. Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors and other public bodies have historically been broadcast on the local Public Access Channel and through Mendocino Access Television’s (MATV) website. The meetings will continue to be available through local cable programming, however now they are also available through YouTube’s new live streaming service. The video is available nearly immediately in a video archive through YouTube’s service. The “Mendocino County” YouTube channel is available by clicking the “Live Video” tab on the Board of Supervisors’ website (www.co.mendocino.ca.us/bos) or at www.youtube.com . County Information Services is now responsible for video production of meetings previously handled by MATV, including the Board of Supervisors, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), and Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG). Additionally, for the first time beginning in February, access to Mendocino County Planning Commission and Civil Service Commission meetings will be provided to the public through live streaming and video archives on the County’s website and through the new YouTube channel.
The County has contracted with MATV since 2012 to be the provider of access to public meetings and other local programming. On November 4, 2015, the County received written notice of MATV’s intent to dissolve the organization as of December 31, 2015. Based on this notice the County immediately began taking steps to ensure public access to Board of Supervisor’s meetings continued, as well as maintaining the public’s access to Public Education and Government (PEG) services. As of January 1, 2016, the County took responsibility for the video production and recording of Board of Supervisors and other public meetings which are under the Board’s purview. MATV had agreed to delay its dissolution in order to provide an orderly transition of service to another entity. To ensure that there is no interruption of services, the Executive Office has contracted with Mr. John Glasco to assist the County with the transition of PEG services from MATV. Mr. Glasco is a long-time local public access provider that brings with him the historical knowledge of public access, as well as the ability to assist the County with the continued and future public access needs of our citizens. The County envisions a future agreement with a new non-profit service provider for the County and other local government entities, and anticipates the preparation of a joint RFP in mid-2016 which would include other interested parties such as the City of Ukiah and the City of Fort Bragg.