EVERETT — Keeping tabs on the city’s doings just got a little easier — so easy, in fact, you could do it at home in your bathrobe.
Starting Wednesday the city of Everett plans to show its City Council meetings live online at the city’s Web site.
For the first time, viewers also should be able to watch Everett’s television access station live on the Internet.
The city plans to archive meetings and programming, so they can be watched anytime.
Already, you can see an online interview with Silvertips defenseman Kellan Tochkin and an update on the state of the city from the mayor.
Streaming is just one more way for people to feel more connected to city government, Everett spokeswoman Kate Reardon said.
“It’s an effective way to stay informed,” she said.
City Council meetings already are broadcast on cable television but they’re aired later and can only be viewed by people who have cable and live in the Everett area.
The Web programming also includes nifty little features. People can find minutes, agendas and related information all cross-linked and searchable by keyword. If you don’t want to watch the entire meeting, for instance, click on a particular agenda item and zoom to that part of the meeting.
This latest innovation keeps Everett among governments in Snohomish County using technology to share information.
Only Mountlake Terrace and the County Council stream their meetings live on the Web.
Mountlake Terrace officials had to suspend streaming meetings last year after the ceiling collapsed at City Hall. They planned to resume live online coverage Thursday night.
Edmonds and Lynnwood broadcast their City Council meetings on television. Monroe and Lynnwood provide an audio archive online.
Web streaming technology doesn’t come cheap.
Everett paid $17,000 to set up its Web streaming and expects to pay another $13,000 in subscription fees to keep the service active for a year.
Everett also has started offering information via the social networking Web site Nixle.com. The free service provides updates and maps pinpointing traffic problems, police activity and community events. Nixel was designed for governments, and unlike other social network sites, it doesn’t sell user’s personal information, Reardon said.
People who sign up can receive alerts via e-mail, text messages or at the company’s Web site.
Everett also has a page on the social network facebook.com and offers Twitter updates.
Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com.
How to watch
Find Everett City Council meetings and other Everett television programming at www.ci.everett.wa.us.
Mountlake Terrace City Council meetings will be available at www.cityofmlt.com.
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