♣Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
Photo – Town of Medicine Bow logo – Courtesy Town of Medicine Bow
The Town of Medicine Bow is exploring ways to broadcast the governing body’s monthly meetings, starting with 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 his monthly $540 commute from the state capital. Winter weather may also make the roads impassable, preventing him from attending the meetings.
Two months later, during the October 13th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Attorney Smith said his research showed he may legally attend the sessions remotely, adding that the town will need to determine how to make that possible.
Mayor Justin George said the town will need a way for the attorney to speak with him privately during the proceedings.
The governing body stated it would investigate ways to allow Attorney Smith to attend the meetings remotely while maintaining confidential communication between him and the mayor.
The matter was discussed again at the February 9th Town Council meeting, where Sunrise Engineering Cheyenne Civil Manager CJ Walker suggested using a Meeting Owl 3 by Owl Labs to allow Attorney Smith to participate virtually. Walker said the 11‑inch‑tall device is equipped with a 360‑degree camera and microphone, allowing the attorney to easily see who is speaking and address everyone present.
The Owl Labs Meeting Owl 3 retails for approximately $1,100. Walker offered to let the Council borrow an unused device from his office so the municipality could determine whether to purchase one of its own. At $540 a month for the attorney to attend in person, Councilman Lee Cook said the camera system would pay for itself within two meetings. As Mayor Justin George and Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer were absent from the proceedings, the governing body chose to wait before making a decision about the Meeting Owl 3.
During the next Town Council meeting on March 9th, Attorney Smith explained that even with the Owl 3, he and Mayor Justin George will still need a way to speak privately.
If the town approves the Meeting Owl 3 purchase, Attorney Smith recommended also allowing other presenters to remotely attend the meetings. However, the attorney noted the town would need to establish an ordinance or policy specifying who may use the virtual meeting links to prevent misuse.
Instead of spending $1,100 on a Meeting Owl 3, Attorney Smith said the town could purchase a simple webcam for a fraction of the price. Before making a decision, Mayor Justin George asked Sunrise Engineering’s CJ Walker, who was not present at the time, to demonstrate the device at a future Town Council meeting.
The Medicine Bow Town Council voted to table a decision on the Meeting Owl 3 purchase until they receive a demonstration. Mayor George said that once the town determines how the attorney will remotely attend the monthly sessions, it will investigate ways to broadcast the proceedings online.
