Council angles for camera oversight

CITY HALL — A private request to ban on-air close-ups of a certain City Council member while speaking into the microphone during council meetings — which are broadcast live on GTV6 — moved into a very public forum Tuesday night.

Councilman Dave Weaver asked that such a ban be discussed at a future meeting for possible adoption.

While the identity of the councilman who made the initial staff request was not revealed on the dais, his colleague, John Drayman, discussed its implications after City Atty. Scott Howard could not recall whether Glendale had a specific policy about the use of camera angles.

Arguing that in the absence of a city policy, the mayor had the authority to set the rules unilaterally, Drayman asked that, in light of the no-close-up request, camera operators split the screen between him and either Public Works Director Steve Zurn, or Planning Director Hassan Haghani.

“I also think I want to bring a sock puppet,” Drayman said.

City Manager Jim Starbird confirmed that the councilman’s request was to prohibit close-up camera angles to the face while speaking, instead reverting to a standard wide-angle long shot.

“We did express at the time that that was unusual,” Starbird said.

In requesting a report detailing any policy, or lack thereof, governing the use of the television cameras that record every municipal board, commission and council meeting, Drayman decried any attempt to harness and control the public airwaves.

“We don’t have rights to the air time as individuals, so I don’t believe I can command the video policy of the city,” he said.

A scenario in which each council member makes individual requests about camera angles in the future could create a confusing and complicated atmosphere in the control room, Starbird said.

Beyond the logistical implications of the request, Councilman Frank Quintero said there was no need to make special concessions for public meetings that have been filmed a certain way — in which a close-up is given to each speaker for the benefit of the audience.

“I don’t know why we want to deviate from what is the norm,” he said.

Weaver and Councilman Bob Yousefian did not comment during the brief discussion.

Mayor Ara Najarian tried to rein in the sarcasm after Howard advised the council to take up the issue, rather than have the mayor make an executive determination.

“I think your point is well taken, and I want to return to the previous policy,” Najarian said.

Still, the prospect of dictating the camera angle while at the microphone was too good for some regular public speakers to pass up.

“When I get up, I’d like the camera to have me look 50 years younger and to look like Marilyn Monroe,” community activist Margaret Hammond said.

The discussion will return once city officials have finished what is expected to be a thin staff report on the issue.

At that time, which Starbird said would be in November, the council may consider creating a policy to oversee the use of the television cameras.

 JASON WELLS covers City Hall. He may be reached at (818) 637-3235 or by e-mail at jason.wells@latimes.com.