WARREN — After years of stalled talks, Warren City Council took a significant step toward livestreaming, with plans to test drive the process at its next regular meeting Wednesday.

The decision came during discussion between the livestream committee, which met earlier this week led by Chairwoman Tina Milner, D-2nd Ward. The group discussed quotes gathered by Councilman Todd Johnson, I-1st Ward, and Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, from various vendors.

Johnson suggested allocating up to $5,000 to cover equipment, training for clerks and IT safeguards like antivirus software. No formal vote was taken, but consensus leaned toward Johnson’s iPad system for its portability and low cost, with a test stream planned for Wednesday using a technician from his church.

Legislation to appropriate funds is expected soon.

In the meantime, council had three options on the table prepared by Johnson in October:

• Option A, with an estimated startup cost of $8,022 (excluding a neededPC) uses professional pan-tilt-zoom cameras and software for high-quality streaming, graphics and controls. The package includes two 4K cameras at about $1,999 each, a joystick, switch, mounts and audio gear.

• Option B, starting at an estimated $5,590, features pan-tilt-zoom cameras with a hardware switcher for reliable streaming and recording. It includes three cameras at $1,095-$1,295 each, a joystick, the switcher and mounts. Ongoing costs range from $0 to $49 monthly for extra streaming services like Restream.io.

• Option C, Johnson’s top pick because of the ease and mobility, has an estimated startup cost of $1,900-$2,100. It uses three to four iPads with Switcher Studio software and according to the proposal needs minimal wiring. Equipment covers a main iPad at $599-$799, three smaller ones at $349-$399 each, a router, audio adapter and stands. It supports streaming to multiple sites with storage options. The subscription costs would amount to $55-$65 monthly or $540 yearly.

The discussion shifted to whether or not to place cameras in the caucus chambers, a smaller room adjacent to the main council chambers where council members, city officials and department heads typically have more detailed commentary and discussions on proposed legislation before formal votes.

Johnson made a point about being transparent: “The vast majority of the actual substantial discussion happens in this room, and we simply go out and kind of go through the motions of the vote when we get out in the chamber.”

The proposal drew mixed views.

Councilman Michael Shrodek, D-5th Ward, suggested integrating voice-activated “owl” cameras that pan to speakers, potentially requiring three to four units in the main chambers to cover council members, the mayor, department heads and public speakers from multiple directions.

James Walker, a Warren resident and outspoken community member who has livestreamed meetings to Facebook for nearly a decade, reminded the committee of his advocacy on the topic.

“I’ve been asking for this, like I said, for like 10 to 15 years,” Walker said, criticizing years of delays as a matter of “will versus want” and said that Trumbull County commissioners stream meetings twice weekly without issue.

Debbie Roemer, another resident, raised concerns about record-keeping and compliance with Ohio’s Sunshine Laws, which govern open meetings. She advised against cameras in the caucus room given their use for executive sessions on sensitive topics like employee matters.

“Do not put a camera in this room for that reason, and that reason alone, because you’re inviting a lawsuit,” Roemer said.

She warned there could be potential HR liabilities if recordings were accidentally overlooked.

However, such restrictions on caucus recordings are not universal and it is common for other Ohio city councils, including those in nearby communities, to livestream or record caucus sessions, provided executive sessions, which are closed to the public, are not captured. Recordings are typically paused or equipment turned off during those portions to comply with privacy rules.