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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 proposed PEGASYS Budget w letter to Mayor Trustees.pdfEXHIBIT 2017- 023 pg. 1 of 3 TO Acting Mayor Linda Woodard and Village Trustees Village of Cayuga Heights 836 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 by Email FROM: Wies van Leuken, Village of Cayuga Heights Representative Cable Access Oversight Committee (AOC) 1105 Highland Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, <pmv4@cornell.edu>, 257-3156 DATE June 8, 2016 RE: 2016/17 PEGASYS Budget Recommendations from Access Oversight Committee (AOC) Attached to this letter, please find the Resolution of the Access Oversight Committee of May 31, 2016 with recommendations for the 2016/2017 Budget for Public, Educational and Governmental Access operations ("PEGASYS" or “PEG” operations). Also attached to this Email is a statement of annual PEG Fee collections and expenditures to show the estimated balance we have available for this Budget. As you know, the City of Ithaca's Franchise Agreement with Time Warner Cable (TWC) requires that the three participating municipalities (The City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca and the Village of Cayuga Heights) (“The Municipalities") approve a budget for equipment and facilities every year by June 30th while the Agreement is in effect. This Budget is funded with the PEG Fees ($ 0.15/subscriber/month) that are charged to TWC Subscribers in the Municipalities. These Fees go directly from the Subscriber to TWC where they stay until the approved purchases are made. The AOC drafts a budget for these purchases and submits it to the Municipalities for review and approval. This allows subscribers, through their elected representatives, a say in what happens to their PEG Fees. Municipal approvals are entered into the minutes of the AOC’s July meeting and submitted to TWC by the respective A OC representatives. The Budget before you addresses the current equipment needs of Community, Government and Educational Access. It includes the unused balances from previous years and in particular the full amount of the 2016 placeholder budget that was approved in June of last year. If approved, it will fund the complete upgrade of the current studio from analog to digital high definition. Every year the AOC requests proposals from local educational institutions for equipment they need to show their programming on the educational channel. The same is done for governmental entities that use the government channel to cablecast their meetings and events. No proposals were brought before the AOC from Educational or Governmental entities. Please let me know if you need further information. The Village's resolution is due at the AOC no later than June 30, 2015. It can be Emailed to me at <pmv4@cornell.edu>. I will attend the Village Board Meeting of June 20, 2016 to answer questions and hear comments. Attachments (2) Cc. Access Oversight Committee; Joan Mangione, Village Clerk; Angela Podufalski, Deputy Village Clerk EXHIBIT 2017- 023 pg. 2 of 3 Resolution Access Oversight Committee (AOC) Monday, May 31, 2016 AOC Recommendations for 2016/2017 Budget WHEREAS, Section 15.12 of the Franchise Agreement between the City of Ithaca and Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership (TWC) of January 2003 requires the participating municipalities (City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Village of Cayuga Heights) to provide TWC with an annual budget for Public, Educational and Governmental access operations by June 30 of each calendar year, and WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca's Ordinance #2003-17, Par 18-4-G, requires the Access Oversight Committee (AOC) to provide the Participating Municipalities with a recommended annual budget by May 31 of each calendar year, and WHEREAS, $12,500.00 of the 2016 Budget approved in June of 2015 was not expended ; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the AOC recommended that the unused funds of the 2016 Budget become part of the 2017 Budget making it the “2016/2017 Budget”, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the AOC accepted the attached 2106/2017 Budget in the amount of $50,000.00 at their regular meeting of May 31, 2016, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the AOC forwards its recommendations for approval by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca Board and the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees, so that they may meet their obligation to provide TWC with an annual budget for Public, Educational and Governmental access operations, which budget is due June 30 of each calendar year. Approved unanimously 2016/2017 Budget Upgrade Studio from Standard Definition to Digital High Definition $50,000.00 Description: The current equipment of the PEGASYS Studio is standard definition (SD), 720x480 pixels, analog equipment that dates from 1989 -1995. Almost none of it can be fixed or replaced any more. This budget includes new equip ment that will upgrade the Studio to digital high definition (HD), 1280x720 pixels or higher. The new equipment includes HD Cameras, Camera Remote Controls, Video Switching and Titling Equipment, Monitors, Digital Recording and Media Playback. EXHIBIT 2017- 023 pg. 3 of 3 EQUIPMENT FUND last update 6/4/16 Equipment Expenditures BALANCE PEG fees * per TWC's Final Report Year 2004 $22,768.04 $19,372.15 $3,395.89 2005 $20,144.93 $14,814.73 $5,330.20 2006 $19,616.00 $0.00 $19,616.00 2007 $18,807.00 $19,338.81 ($531.81) 2008 $18,347.25 $11,749.14 $6,598.11 2009 $17,509.95 $21,102.13 ($3,592.18) 2010 $16,593.60 $17,433.96 ($840.36) 2011 $15,088.35 $9,589.92 $5,498.43 2012 $14,032.50 $4,254.78 $9,777.72 2013 $13,977.69 $22,956.23 ($8,978.54) 2014 $13,097.76 $0.00 $13,097.76 2015 $12,492.90 $19,239.29 ($6,746.39) 2016 $11,000.00 $0.00 $11,000.00 Total $213,475.97 $159,851.14 $53,624.83 * PEG Fees = $.15/customer/month collected by Time Warner Cable italics = estimate