The Austin City Council is planning to videotape its work sessions at the city hall conference room in an effort to ensure all meetings are properly recorded.

During a work session Monday night, the council debated installing video cameras and microphones in the conference room.

All regular council meetings, held in the council chambers, are videotaped and aired on public access television. They are currently only recorded on tape – not DVDs. Official minutes must be written, explained Tom Dankert, director of administrative services.

Work sessions could not be aired on TV, however, because the technician’s room is located in the council chambers.

“I just think we need a record of all our public meetings,” Mayor Tom Stiehm said. “I think we’re being neglectful if we don’t start doing these things.”

The situation came to light after a recent fire committee meeting held in the conference room. An altercation allegedly occurred between Fire Chief Dan Wilson and resident Carla McCarthy; the incident was not video- or voice-recorded, and witnesses’ accounts varied.

“It would have been priceless,” council member John Martin said.

“I think it’s a pretty good idea too in case there’s any question of what happened,” council member Dick Pacholl said.

Any entity conducting a meeting in that room would be allowed to access the equipment.

Martin said he doesn’t understand the need to install the equipment when they could hold all work sessions in the council chambers.

“I guess I’m confused,” Martin said. “Why do we want to go to that room to spend the money?” He said the room is too small and hot. Work sessions have been held in the council chambers recently in anticipation of larger-than-average audiences.

“It just seems a little intimidating, a little formal,” council member Steve King said of the chambers.

Although work sessions could not be aired live on Channel 16, they could be recorded and played later, Dankert said.

“I have long been in favor of broadcasting work sessions,” council member Brian McAlister said.

The project — installing a video camera and embedding microphones — would cost $6,534 plus tax. A cable access fee would fund the project.

The council voted unanimously to recommend approval of the project up to $7,500 during the next regular council meeting April 6.