NATCHEZ — The Natchez City Council Chambers is set to receive an upgrade that will allow those attending meetings there to view slideshows, videos and other presentations.

Mayor Darryl Grennell said a laptop computer and television monitors will be used in the chambers so that city officials and guests can show visual aids for everyone in attendance to view at board of aldermen meetings.

“They will be able to pop in a USB or email their presentation, and we can have audio and visual presentations at the board meetings,” Grennell said.

The installation of the equipment is similar to what was done in the Adams County supervisors’ boardroom when Grennell was a county supervisor.

Having the presentations displayed on a monitor, Grennell said, will also save time and eliminate the need for officials to flip through informational packets to keep up with a presentation.

“You always hear, ‘What page are you on? What page are you on?’ (during presentations),” Grennell said. “My mission is to put us all on the same page.”

Grennell said he also thinks it is important that meeting attendees be able to view documents and visual aids that are distributed to aldermen during meetings.

“If we have pictures or maps on the monitors it will help all of us, the mayor and board of aldermen and the spectators, to understand what is being presented,” he said.

The computer and monitors will also be useful, Grennell said, when the aldermen are reviewing budget reports.

“And it brings forth transparency, so everyone can see what we are dealing with,” Grennell said.

The equipment could also be used to play Natchez History Minutes or other videos while the board meets in executive session, providing an educational and entertainment opportunity for meeting attendees, Grennell said.

Some work to prepare the chambers for the installation of the equipment has been done, and Grennell said the equipment should be up and running soon.