RESIDENTS: STAY TUNED FOR CITY COUNCIL LIVE : COUNCIL PREPARES FOR LIVE TV DEBUT.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Councilman Clyde Smyth plans to wear an eye-catching blue shirt. Councilwoman Jan Heidt hasn't thought about her attire and colleague Jo Anne Darcy is worried about bad hair days.

As the Santa Clarita City Council prepares for its live television debut later this month, thoughts of pressing civic issues are giving way to stage fright and jitters among some members.

``I'm nervous. I don't make TV appearances every day,'' said Darcy, a veteran public speaker and aide to county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. ``They focus right in on your face and emotions, and if you have a bad hair day . . .''

For the past two years, public access has been airing the Tuesday council meetings a day later on Channel 20. On Sept. 24, the channel will start broadcasting live coverage of the meetings.

Like a growing number of cities, Santa Clarita wants to use live television to bring local government into residents' living rooms. In an era of waning public interest in political issues, the city is fighting to keep residents tuned in.

``It really brings the council to the people,'' said city spokeswoman Gail Ortiz. ``It brings government as it happens to the people.''

In cities such as Burbank, Ortiz noted, televised council meetings consistently beat major TV networks and have inspired residents to rush to City Hall in their robes and slippers.

To prepare for its debut, the Santa Clarita council will hold an hourlong practice session to learn how to act in front of the cameras, which will hang from the ceiling and have zoom capabilities. Before, only a single stationary camera was used to record meetings.

Some council members said their actions won't be influenced by the television cameras.

``People will forget the TV cameras,'' Smyth said. ``You're focusing on issues you're dealing with and the people you're dealing with.''

He said the cameras will add another dimension to council meetings and bring more people to City Hall.

``Live television gives people in the community a chance to see what's going on and to potentially become part of it,'' he said. ``Anytime you watch a live program it's more interesting than what (already has) transpired.''

But Heidt said the cameras will discourage people from attending the meetings.

``I would love it if more people would come to the meetings,'' she said. ``Instant gratification of watching on television eliminates the need to get up and get in the car and participate in local affairs.''

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1--color) Gil Lopez of American Video Communicat ions wires Valencia City Hall for televised City Council meetings.

(2) A worker installs video cable outside the City Council chambers in Valencia. Live broadcasts of council meetings are scheduled to start Sept. 24.

(3) Joe McCay works on an electrical fixture in the council chambers.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News