AUDIO-VISUAL SOLUTIONS
City of Reading Council Chamber: Cost-Saving Live Stream Upgrade
Project Requirements
The City of Reading needed a modernized council chamber to support high-quality live streaming and recording of city meetings. Previous setups installed during the pandemic were rushed and limited, providing only temporary solutions for remote participation.
The city required a system that would deliver clear audio, multiple camera angles, seamless voting integration, and easy control, all while preserving the historic architecture of the building. Beyond functionality, the solution needed to improve accessibility, transparency, and overall operational efficiency, allowing city staff to run meetings smoothly and residents to stay engaged.
Client
City of Reading
Location
Reading, PA
Project Type
Solutions
- Cameras
- Conferencing Units
- Video Production System
Solution
- Cameras: Four PTZOptics cameras evenly distributed throughout the room capture and focus on speakers from multiple angles. Several of the cameras were installed on existing mounts, which helped preserve the integrity of the historic building.
- Conferencing Units: Unlike conventional microphone setups, the conference microphone units intelligently capture audio from the speaker and distribute it to each individual council member and the broader audience. This not only ensures crystal-clear communication but also mitigates feedback issues. The system features built-in voting support, enabling a more productive environment for discussion.
- Video Production System: The backbone lies in the advanced video production system, which powers the cameras for live streaming and recording. The control center provides users with real-time monitoring capabilities where they can start and end recordings, switch cameras, and oversee voter polling.
Result
With the new system in place, Reading’s council chambers can run smoother, more transparent public meetings. Staff can manage live streaming, video production, and audio with ease, ensuring every discussion is captured clearly for both in-person attendees and remote citizens. This upgrade supports government transparency, improves engagement, and sets a new standard for municipal meetings.
An unexpected but significant outcome of the project was the cost savings that the City of Reading reported. By designing a system that eliminated recurring maintenance and streaming service fees, the city unlocked $48,000 in annual savings, reducing its proposed 2024 budget by 14.4%.
“Due to the way the contractor, Haverford Systems, designed the streaming service, there are no additional costs for maintenance and other services. That’s saving us a boatload of money annually.”
Linda KelleherCity Clerk - Reading, PA 
“Due to the way the contractor, Haverford Systems, designed the streaming service, there are no additional costs for maintenance and other services. That’s saving us a boatload of money annually.”
Linda KelleherCity Clerk - Reading, PA
