By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
The August 7th Apopka City Council meeting was another marathon, going well over the four-hour mark. And although the public comments session was discussed at different times during the meeting, it was not included in the live-streaming video on the City's YouTube channel, as it was moved to the end after the Mayor's Report and then not recorded.
The Apopka Voice texted all five members of the City Council to learn why public comments were not included in the video. According to two members of the Council, Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson made the decision not to include them in the live stream.
"The mayor instructed staff to cut the feed to YouTube for public comment," said Commissioner Nick Nesta.
From his seat on the dais, Nesta recorded public comments and posted them on his Commissioner's Facebook page.
Commissioner Diane Velazquez backed up Nesta's assertion.
"At the mayor's direction, Live Feed was turned off," Velazquez said. "During the public comment session, the question about turning off Live Feed was directed to Robert Hippler from IT. He responded that it was the decision made by the Administration."
Commissioner Alexander Smith also confirmed the feed was cut but did not know why.
"I think we all learned that it had been cut at the same time," he said. "I heard the question asked what happened, but there was so much commotion that I never heard the response."
Nelson acknowledged that the video was cut after the Mayor's Report but before the public comments. He did, however, offer an alternative to the live feed.
"Audio is still available," he said. "You’ll need to contact IT in the morning."
Commissioner Nadia Anderson did not respond to the text message before the publication of this article.
This is a developing story and will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
