COQUILLE — Coquille City Hall has gone interactive.

Last week’s City Council meeting was the first to feature a new audio-visual system that can bring more information to members of the public in attendance.

“It’s pretty state-of-the-art,” Coquille Mayor Steve Britton said Wednesday.

New features were added to the system already in place to allow the audience to see and hear more of what is happening.

A touch-screen projector now can display material on two pull-down screens that hang in opposite sides of the council chambers. Speakers have been added to the audio system, which already had microphones in place for recording purposes.

“The speakers were added for so the audience can actually hear what we are saying,” Britton said, adding that some of the council members are soft-spoken so the speakers amplify what they say. “I like the audience to participate in our meetings. I always take extra time explaining (issues) to them.”

Now he may not have to do that as much.

Instead of having to read or explain material to the audience, anything before the council can be projected on the screens. Monitors before council members are tied to the projector, so anything viewed by the audience can seen by the council.

Television and Internet access also is a new feature.

The system, which took a few weeks to set up, cost about $45,000, Coquille City Manager Terence O’Connor said.

The Portland communications company ProCom Communications Inc. designed and installed the system as part of the city hall remodel.

DVD and video-playing capabilities will help train members of city boards, committees and staff, O’Connor said.

With the new audio-visual system in operation, the remodeling is finished, Britton said. City Hall was moved to the former Oregon First Credit Union building at 851 North Central Blvd. late last summer.

“I’m just hoping we will keep it maintained so that building will serve as city hall for the next 50 years,” the mayor said.