Council meetings now online

Wickliffe has a new mayor, new council members and a new way for residents to hear from their government officials.

City Council meeting videos are now streamed online and can be viewed at cityofwickliffe.com/ government/city-council-meetings via a link to YouTube from a computer or mobile device.

The city rolled out the new online streaming service at its most recent council meeting on Jan. 8.

Mayor John Barbish thanked Studio 23 Group in Wickliffe for recording the meetings.

Prior to video recording meetings, residents were able to only view meeting minutes online and get emergency information, public service announcements and city happenings on Cable Channel 12.

Online streaming makes meetings more accessible and convenient for residents.

Barbish also announced that he will explore an electronic option for sharing information through BoardDocs.

BoardDocs is a paperless

governance solution that helps to save money, reduce staff time, improve board effectiveness, increase transparency and help the environment, according to its website.

“It’s a cost-saver and it’s more efficient,” he said. “Mrs. Fink (Clerk of Council) has to print everything out and if she has to change something, she has to reprint everything. We’re trying to save money and be more efficient.”

BoardDocs are used in several area municipalities and school boards to share meeting agendas and minutes.

Don Marn, who is a Wickliffe School Board member,

said he encourages council to adopt BoardDocs.

Marn said the district has been using this paperless solution for about six months and it has saved the district a significant amount of time and money.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “The paper savings was $100,000.”

The discussion about BoardDocs will continue, as it was added to “new business” on the agenda.

City Council meetings are the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. at Wickliffe City Hall in council chambers.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22.