A verbatim record shall be kept of each public meeting of the Council, Standing Committees, and Select Committees, by either electronic or mechanical means, for the period of time as provided by State law. Copies of the agenda and the minutes of regular and special Council meetings, Standing Committee meetings, and Select Committee meetings shall also be kept for the same period of time. The Chair shall have the authority to determine whether it is appropriate to record certain hearings by mechanical means (court reporter).