The Bloomington City Council is considering a contract for the installation of video cameras, recording and streaming technology. (Michelle Mantel/WJBC)

By Stephanie Pawlowski

BLOOMINGTON - Get your popcorn.

The Bloomington City Council Monday night is considering an $80,000 contract to televise the city council meetings starting next year. City Manager David Hales said this is the last of a three phase approach to get the meetings on TV, the first two being an upgrade to the audio system and an updated website.

"So, the money has been appropriated and with the council's approval, by the end of February, we'll have not only the meetings televised, we'll be able to stream those online and to have an archive, but we're also making some additional improvements," Hales said.

Those other improvements include TV monitors in the council chambers, a DVD player and a screen the displays how each alderman voted on an agenda item.

Hales said it's a good policy to televise the meetings.

"And, I think its good for the public to be able to turn on the TV not only during the actual council meeting, but also to have several repeats of that through out the week or the month," Hales said.

The money was appropriated in the general fund budget when it was approved in April. The project cost altogether, including the audio upgrade in 2010 and the installation of equipment the council is considering now, is $121,000.

Stephanie Pawlowski can be reached at Stephanie.Pawlowski@Cumulus.com.