There's an app for that Channel 6 fosters community involvement
Austin Greve, a member of the Guttenberg city council, volunteered his time to install new equipment that allows for live and on-demand coverage of city events, including council meetings. (Press photo)
By Shelia Tomkins
Guttenberg residents who want to learn more about city council actions now have several options for viewing council meetings.
If in-person attendance doesn't work with your schedule, you can view council meetings live online or by using an app. A video archive of meetings is also available.
The city council last year invested in new equipment to replace the aging Channel 6 broadcast system, housed at the Guttenberg Municipal Building. The equipment had been in use for some time, was becoming outdated and it was becoming difficult to find repair parts. Channel 6 was popular with residents who watched city council meetings and other live events, and also served as a community bulletin board with news of events, birthdays, etc.
The new equipment was ordered in November following council approval. The upgrades cost $13,500 for hardware, $12,450 for software as well as an annual fee of $2,700.
Austin Greve, a member of the city council, researched and made a recommendation for the purchase of the new equipment. He also volunteered to do the installation when it arrived in January 2024. Set-up and troubleshooting took time, but the system was ready for operation by the February council meeting.
The new system has been in operation for nearly a year now, and has proven to be a popular and reliable way to provide transparency in local government. Previously, cable television subscribers could view meetings live on local access Cable Channel 6 on either Alpine Communications or Mediacom platforms. After the new equipment was installed, anyone can now view council meetings in any of the following ways:
•Access meetings on the City of Guttenberg website: www.cityofguttenbergia.gov
•Install an app that allows viewing any time (on demand). Apps can be found on the Apple app store, Google Play, Roku TV, of Fire TV. Search for "Guttenberg Channel 6."
•Live meetings will continue to be broadcast on Channel 6 for Guttenberg customers of Alpine Communications. Mediacom customers no longer have that option due to what is termed by local officials as a "lack of cooperation." Council meetings will be re-broadcast on Channel 6 at 1 p.m. on the Tuesday following the monthly meeting.
Worship services
The upgraded equipment also allows for the re-broadcast of local church services on Channel 6 on the following schedule:
St. Mary Catholic, Guttenberg, Sundays, live at 10 a.m. and rebroadcast at 6 p.m.
St. John's Lutheran, Guttenberg, Mondays at 10 a.m.
St. Peter Lutheran, Garnavillo: 10 a.m. Tuesdays
United Methodist, Guttenberg, 10 a.m. Wednesdays
St. Paul's Lutheran, Garnavillo, 10 a.m. Thursdays
St. Paul Lutheran, Guttenberg, 10 a.m. Fridays.
Note that the Channel 6 app has the services for the week available to watch on demand.
How to post on Channel 6
Contact Michelle at the Guttenberg city office to add your event or notice, by phoning (563) 252-1161 or via email: mmeyer@cityofguttenbergia.gov
