WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2026 |
Photo – Sunrise Engineering demonstrates Owl 3 for town council – Bigfoot99 file photo
The governing body of Medicine Bow approved the purchase of a camera system to broadcast meetings to the town attorney.
Last August, Medicine Bow Attorney Cameron Smith asked the governing body to allow him to attend its monthly meetings remotely rather than in person. Smith, founder of SAS Legal Group in Cheyenne, bills the municipality by the hour, which includes $540 for his monthly commute from the state capital. Winter weather can also make the roads impassable, preventing him from attending the meetings at all.
Sunrise Engineering Civil Manager CJ Walker suggested using a Meeting Owl 3 by Owl Labs to allow Attorney Smith to attend virtually. The 11‑inch‑tall device is equipped with a 360‑degree camera and microphone, allowing the attorney to see who is speaking and address everyone present. Walker added that the town would also need a laptop to run the camera and allow Mayor Justin George to chat privately with Attorney Smith during meetings.
Last month, Walker brought a Meeting Owl 3 from his office to demonstrate the device for the Medicine Bow Town Council. He showed how the camera can display a 360‑degree view of the room or track individual speakers. The governing body agreed that the device would meet its needs.
During Monday evening’s Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Clerk and Treasurer Karen Heath said an Owl 3 and the laptop required to run it will cost roughly $1,800, depending on the type of laptop the governing body selects.
A two‑in‑one laptop features a screen that can fold over to serve as a tablet. The governing body decided that the larger 16‑inch model would be the better option.
Clerk Heath said Walker recommended allocating $2,000 for the purchase: $1,780 for the camera and laptop, with an additional $220 for what he described as “miscellaneous materials.”
Mayor George asked the council for their opinion on the Owl 3 system. The governing body agreed that the device would serve the town’s purpose.
Clerk Heath said the Owl camera and laptop would be paid for through the Chokecherry Sierra Madre Impact Assistance Fund. Public Works Director Brian Lashley asked how long it would take for the town to recoup the expense. The governing body estimated about two meetings.
Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer said the remote camera system would also eliminate the need for Attorney Smith to travel to Medicine Bow during bad weather.
Following the discussion, the governing body unanimously voted to buy a Meeting Owl 3 camera and a companion 16‑inch laptop. Mayor George directed Clerk Heath to reach out to Sunrise Engineering Civil Manager, CJ Walker, to initiate the purchase.
