Bain-Blog

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

New OCMS Web site

I encourage citizens to check out the new Oshkosh Community Media Services (formerly known as OCAT) Web site. Features of the new Web site include: Video Streaming of local government meetings and programs (including video archives), E-Update Service, Volunteer Sign up and much more.

Kudos to the entire OCMS staff, Friends of OCM and our city's IT Department for their work on this project. Oshkosh is extremely lucky to have this valuable service.

-Bryan

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posted by Bryan L. Bain at 2/27/2008 09:28:00 PM

8 Comments:

  • Bryan,

    Is there any report of the upgrades and the additional costs of the new site?
    Also is there any porgress on the Mayors' "Special Events" Committee?

    Thank You

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at February 28, 2008 9:21 AM  

  • Anonymous said:

    "Is there any report of the upgrades and the additional costs of the new site?"

    "Also is there any porgress on the Mayors' "Special Events" Committee?"


    There were no additional costs, only the normal pay for the IT staff, who designed the new site as part of their job responsibilities. I do not believe there is a report of the upgrades, however, everything on the site is an update/improvement from the previous one.

    I do not have an update on the special events committee discussion that the police chief and several council members, including the mayor, have alluded to. If there has been progress made, I have not been part of the conversations. I recommend contacting the mayor or acting city manager.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at February 29, 2008 8:16 AM  

  • Some of us don't have computers with enough "speed" to download videos nor do I have cable T.V.. I contacted Jon Urban over a year ago to see if at least one video could be available at the Oshkosh Public Library. His response was something to the effect that would be too costly. While this is a great new site, I do think that City Gov't. meetings etc. should be available to all. One videotape would run in the area of about $5.00 if you include processing. Somehow I don't find that cost prohibitive.

    Incidentally, about 6 yrs. ago I went to OCAT to get a copy of an Oshkosh event. The cost was $15.00. I would think that would be a profit.

    What do you think Bryan about having copies available to the public via the Library? For that matter, anyone else out there without the "frills" agree/disagree with this? Thank you.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at February 29, 2008 9:22 AM  

  • I neglected to name Common Council and BOE meetings in particular.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at March 02, 2008 10:45 AM  

  • Katie said:

    "What do you think Bryan about having copies available to the public via the Library?"


    The idea of having the Common Council, Board of Education and County Board meetings made available for checkout at the library is worth pursuing. I will talk about it with Media Services Director Jon Urben and Acting City Manager John Fitzpatrick.

    I am sure there will be some costs and staff time involved, but exactly what I do not know. If the council could get this information, and agree to pursue it, it could be included in the next (and future) city budgets.

    Thank you for the suggestion.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at March 02, 2008 12:11 PM  

  • Thank you Bryan for looking into this. However, I don’t have much optimism that the City will be interested. Perhaps a grassroots approach is possible. No doubt many watch the Council etc. mtgs. As a “donation” to the Library some of viewers could record as they watch and give a copy or more to the Library. How to get the word out I’m not sure but I do believe there’s many who would be willing to do this. If nothing else perhaps at least one of the Council members etc. would be willing to do this. Just a consideration and suggestion of what might be a more feasible approach.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at March 03, 2008 11:23 AM  

  • As I recall you were in favor of a
    "Special Events Committee" so why wouldn't you follow-up and assist in creating such a committee?

    Also what happened to the X-mayors committee for studying and finding solutions for poverty in Oshkosh?

    Or was that political pablum to get elected.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at March 06, 2008 8:26 AM  

  • Anonymous said:

    "As I recall you were in favor of a
    "Special Events Committee" so why wouldn't you follow-up and assist in creating such a committee?"

    "Also what happened to the X-mayors committee for studying and finding solutions for poverty in Oshkosh?"

    "Or was that political pablum to get elected."


    Several council members, myself included, and city staff have mentioned the need for a special events policy. I support the mayor and police chief working to determine how best to proceed, which I believe already is in the works.

    As a council member, I support a lot of the ideas raised by fellow councilors, citizens and city staff. Unfortunately, there just is not enough time in the day for me to serve on every committee. However, when I complete a couple of city-related projects that I currently have in progress, then I will be ready and willing to help in any way I can.

    I am willing to check on the status of a policy/committee, but sometimes it is more effective for citizens to go directly to the source -- it makes the councilor or staff member directly aware of the citizen interest.

    As for the ex-mayors panel on poverty, I believe Council Member Palmeri suggested and wanted to pursue that idea. He brought the idea forward at the re-organizational meeting in April 2007, however, I have not heard him comment on it lately. I recommend you contact him directly or post this question on his blog.

    I believe if you look at the promises I made in both campaigns -- to work hard, study the issues, listen to all sides and make the best decision possible to move Oshkosh forward -- you will find that I have worked to consistently uphold them. They were not empty promises.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at March 06, 2008 11:04 AM  

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