Need OK to record meetings, says property owners group

BELLA VISTA — The Property Owners Association board plans to prohibit people from recording its meetings without permission.

A decision will be made at the group’s next meeting.

Section seven of Policy 1.07 states open meetings will be streamed live on social media and an unedited copy of the recording will be on the association website. No one else will be allowed to record the meeting without the written permission of the association.

Sandy Fosdick argued that the association recordings aren’t always good quality. There have been instances when portions of the meetings weren’t available. Also, she pointed out if the board is trying to prevent members from using videotapes of the meetings to make their own points about board behavior, it probably won’t work. They can easily copy a section of the association recording and use it the same way.

Board member David Whelchel said the association has upgraded its equipment recently and the recordings are easily accessible.

Also, board member Mary Sinkus said individuals can tape the meetings if they have permission.

Other changes in the same policy clarified practices relating to the open forum, including reading comments if a meeting is held online.

Fosdick voted against the policy and also used Jerry Hover’s proxy to vote no during a recent meeting when the board read the proposal for the first time. Similar changes were made to Policy 1.03, which deals with committees.

The policy passed on its first reading and needs to be passed for a second reading before it takes effect.