Authorizing City Council's Committee on Technology and Information Services to hold public hearings to investigate the benefits and practicality of purchasing teleconferencing equipment to use at City Council hearings.

WHEREAS, City Council public hearings rely on witnesses to provide context, information and insight on the respective issues being considered; and

WHEREAS, At times, witnesses are unable to attend hearings due to scheduling conflicts or because of the time and/or money involved in traveling to appear at the hearing; and

WHEREAS, When discussing, investigating or exploring issues such as taxes, development, ethics and quality-of-life initiatives, it is useful to draw upon the expertise and experience of others to add insight; and

WHEREAS, Often, these expert witnesses are from other municipalities and require in-depth planning and traveling to appear at a brief hearing; and

WHEREAS, Teleconferencing equipment would provide a practical and economical solution to incorporating knowledge and understanding of others to issues that are new to our own City; and

WHEREAS, Teleconferencing equipment is widely used to increase participation, increase productivity, save time and reduce travel costs; and

WHEREAS, Teleconferencing equipment is a common tool for private companies, educational purposes and various branches of government; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Technology and Information Services is hereby authorized to hold public hearings to investigate the benefits and practicality of purchasing teleconferencing equipment to use at City Council hearings.

End