WARREN — After years of falling behind neighboring cities, Warren City Council at its meeting last week discussed its own delays with the lack of livestreamed meetings and discussed forming a committee to facilitate the long-delayed process.

A decision was made for Council President John Brown to put together a three-person committee to finalize equipment installation and set a firm timeline.

Michael O’Brien, D-at Large, called the situation “embarrassing,” as he pointed out that Cortland — a city of about 7,000 residents, roughly one-fifth Warren’s size — has streamed meetings over the past few years.

“We’ve been talking about it and talking about it, whatever it takes,” O’Brien said, recalling past coverage by TCI Cable that ended after council objected to rate increases in the late 1990s or early 2000s.

“One other thing is that I appreciate you appointing committees … but the committee is only as good as a date certain when they have to have that task accomplished,” O’Brien said.

Tina Milner, D-2nd Ward, said initial quotes from vendors were high, but a local provider, identified as an entity that handles streaming for Trumbull County courts and the estimated cost for the “OWL” streaming units that have a 360-degree camera rotation, is $3,000 per unit. Milner said she had spoken with Mr. PC Inc. on North Park, a local streaming service provider that does work for the county.

Helen Rucker, D-at Large, acting pro tem of the meeting, questioned why installation hasn’t proceeded despite available funds and quotes.

“It seems as though this is not being done unless council orders it to be done,” she said, proposing the president appoint a committee to “give us an end date and … get this equipment installed.”