Houston, Texas
The City of Mont Belvieu, situated east of Houston, Texas, commissioned a comprehensive audio-visual renovation for its council chamber, courtroom, and adjacent conference facilities. Having a rapidly expanding population with a wide set of needs, the municipality recognized its analog microphones, flip-chart presentations, and absence of digital voting and streaming capabilities did not meet the current governance standards and constituent expectations.
Ford Audio-Video developed and implemented an integrated AV solution to facilitate digital voting, enhance audio clarity, and provide live-streaming access to all proceedings.
LED Video Wall, Digital Voting, and Live Streaming in Council Chambers
In the council chamber, an LED video wall was installed in the space behind the dais, delivering high-resolution visuals of agendas, budgetary charts, and geographic mappings.
“We’ve been really happy to bring in a lot of technology into this new council chamber. The one thing that everyone loves about this room is the big, beautiful video wall.”
— Brian Liggin, City of Mont Belvieu, Communications & Marketing Director
Each council station is equipped with Taiden digital conference units featuring capacitive touchscreens for secure electronic voting, integrated confidence monitors for real-time feedback, and high-fidelity microphones. Touch panels facilitate seamless control of both local and presentation audio-visual sources. Portable 75-inch displays on lockable mounts provide supplemental viewing for overflow audiences or specialized briefings.
The production booth functions as the system’s operational hub, and the digital signal processing creates consistent audio performance across all channels. An integrated Crestron interface permits a single-button initiation of a multi-angle live stream to the city’s online portal and YouTube channel, extending public access to government.
Courtroom AV Upgrades
The courtroom also received several technological enhancements. Two high-definition displays flank the judge’s bench, providing clear presentation of evidentiary materials.
“Having those displays in the courtroom to push that content to both sides and the audience makes a huge difference.”
— Brian Liggin, City of Mont Belvieu, Communications & Marketing Director
Ceiling-mounted microphones are attached to custom tile-bridge adapters to capture testimony in the courtroom. Microsoft Teams and Webex integration allow remote witness participation. The jury room and executive conference space have unified communications capabilities to support hybrid workshops and internal meetings.
Strategic Cable Management
The installation encountered structural challenges. The hard-deck ceilings and soft acoustic panels required cable management prior to ceiling closure. The Ford team coordinated daily with electrical and ceiling contractors to pre-pull all cabling and install extra conduits to prevent the permanent concealment of critical AV pathways. This proactive collaboration created accurate rack elevations, conduit routing, and power-box placements.
“I really do appreciate Ford’s professionalism and patience with us as we take these first steps. The technology makes interacting with our residents as transparent and as seamless as possible. “
— Brian Liggin, City of Mont Belvieu, Communications & Marketing Director
Upon completion, the City of Mont Belvieu’s council chamber and courtroom now exemplify modern municipal AV integration. The upgraded infrastructure increased procedural transparency, supports remote participation, and ensures the city continues to serve its citizens.
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