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Home My WebLink AboutMN-CABLE-2008-11-11Cable Access Oversight Committee minutes (draft -- comments welcome) The Cable Access Oversight Committee (AOC) met at the PEG Studio on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 (postponed from Nov. 4), at 5:00 pm. Present: AOC members Will Burbank (chair), Wayles Browne, Wies van Leuken, Jennifer Dotson; studio manager Lauren Stefanelli; Time Warner manager Thomas Doheny (for item 3). 0. Notes by W. Browne as AOC secretary. 1. The minutes of the Sept. 23, 2008 meeting were approved with no changes. 2. No comments from the public. 3. We discussed chairman Burbank's letter to Thomas Doheny written per our decision of Sept. 23. It concerned using money from Usage Fees paid by those TV producers who live outside the 3 Participating Municipalities (i.e. outside the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, and Village of Cayuga Heights). The AOC decided by resolution dated June 13, 2006 that this money should be used for hiring persons to keep the PEG studio open during periods when the Studio Manager is on vacation. The money has been accumulating and no vacation replacements have ever been hired by TWC. T. Doheny responds to the letter: Studio manager Stefanelli will develop a plan showing what we can do. A temporary employee would cost $16/hour through an agency, and would need training, so it would not be easy to cover Stefanelli's 5 weeks of vacation time. In Doheny's view, PEG access continues to be underfunded. The original franchise agreement between the City of Ithaca and Time Warner Cable [TWC] foresaw many more municipalities joining than actually happened. TWC absorbs tens of thousands every year. My [Doheny's] feeling is that the approx. $2000 usage fee money should be put into the general pool for Stefanelli's salary. There are 4 years left till the end of the present franchise [2003 through 2012]. If we don't make a change, we won't have PEG. I implore you to raise usage fees. They are at $20 per 6 months for users outside the participating municipalities whereas my original suggestion was ca. $35 a month. Please consider this again and support a much higher fee, perhaps rising every year. I'm glad to figure out what the cost is and give you a look. I don't agree that a high fee would hurt free speech; anyone can bring in a tape, but the facilities cost money. Stefanelli has some vacation in December, but we can plan for replacements for her in 2009. Burbank: Raising prices can make users look for alternatives. My reading is that the number of producers who could afford a higher fee would be nearly zero. Most people who have time to make programs don't have that kind of money. Dotson: What you're proposing would not create more money. Doheny: I'm looking to influence more municipalities to contribute. Dotson: There seems not to be much possibility that producers can pay more nor that they could get municipalities to join. Doheny: When the franchise expires, TWC's position will be that PEG must be run from franchise fees. Producers from outside are taking resources away from the present participating municipalities. Dotson: are there other ways to gain revenue? Burbank: When negotiating a new franchise, maybe there will be new conditions or a new structure - -a non - profit? This year and next year in New York State are particularly bad for finances of municipalities. Doheny: It's not helpful to the issue to charge an inequitable fee under the current structure. Van Leuken: We all wish that all municipalities would cooperate, but realistically speaking, they won't want to. Dotson: If, for instance, a producer from Trumansburg tells his village that TWC insisted on raising the usage fees, that won't make a good impression about TWC. Burbank: would you support spinning PEG off to a nonprofit? Doheny: Yes. Dotson: Would the equipment go to the nonprofit? Doheny: Hard to put the cart before the horse. It would need $41,000 per year. Burbank: Producers donate their time and make value for the community and for TWC. Doheny: We understand that there's value but we can't go on forever when we've been doing much more than would be equitable. Quality is high, but this is designed by the federal government to be a partnership. Your 3 municipalities are contributing about $35 per month per producer. 4. At this point T. Doheny departed and the meeting took up other business. Meeting schedule for the future: the 2nd Monday of each month, except that in December it will have to be the 3rd Monday, Dec. 15 at 4:30, because Lauren Stefanelli will be away the first two weeks. [Time later changed to 5:15.] Van Leuken: Remember that we need to have the agenda posted in advance in City Hall. Every agency in the city does that. We can post a generic agenda. Burbank should send it to City Clerk Julie Holcomb and to Sarah Myers a week in advance. Burbank: will do. Van Leuken is developing an e-mail list for producers and interested people. Scheduled items for October and November according to our yearly calendar: reports on usage fees, staffing levels, maintenance report. 5. Studio manager's report: submitted in written form (see Appendix 1). She added: The more we make the channel look good to viewers, the more they will view it. The Ithaca Journal invites pictures from its readers; TWC now similarly invites viewers to send photos for its slide -show on channels above 500, shown for free, with music in the background. Can PEG do something similar? There is now a slide saying 'Have a cute pet? Send....' Sending a photo is easier than making a whole TV show, so this might attract new people, for instance someone who has a PowerPoint presentation to share. The AOC agreed with Stefanelli's updates to the budget (including accessories for the Lehman Alternative Community School, now that LACS itself has bought new computers for use in editing). The total is less than previously. Nexus has IR ports = Infrared lights that act on a deck the way a remote control does, hence item 3), allowing 4 DVD players instead of the present 2. Item 18): Time Base Correctors: the old ones need replacing so that each PEG channel (13, 15, 16) will have its own. 6. The AOC returned to discussion of the views expressed by T. Doheny earlier in the meeting. Will the larger evolution of technology make PEG TV no longer needed, by the time the franchise comes up for renewal /renegotiation in 2013? Upholders of PEG access around the U.S. feel TV will continue to exist, even after the change to high definition (HD), so it's not reasonable to drop PEG as part of TV. Conditions in 2013 are unpredictable. They might be more favorable to public access, or less favorable. 7. Publicity in the local community for PEG services. Van Leuken: when newspapers mention an event or program which is (to be) shown on Channel 13, we should ask them to mention Channel 13 explicitly and by name. [One such request was later formulated as a letter to Gary Stewart (Community Relations, Cornell) regarding a series of articles he has been doing in the Ithaca Journal - -see Appendix 2.] 8. Meeting adjourned at 6:20. Appendix 1. Access Coordinator Report to AOC November 2008 • Facility: Cablecast playback on channel 13 and 16 has continued to improve, thanks to the upgraded playback equipment: 1. Because INET sources are now wired through NEXUS, I can eliminate 2/3 of the weekend data entry for switching INET sources on a separate matrix switcher. I can now switch directly on NEXUS. This is more accurate and faster. 2. I can superimpose "overlays" on mpgs, which means that I can now overlay titles for meetings that are done without titles. The Lansing School Board is delighted. 3. I have added a program guide for the non -IC programming on channel 16. There has never been an on- screen guide for this programming before. Again, it is drag and drop with the new NEXUS. 4. I have invited non - profit organizations to submit event announcements to run on channel 13. Our previous system required about an hour per day of staff time to produce, given the high volume of paper submissions. At current staff levels, this was impossible to continue. However, the new system allows announcements to be produced and run with much less effort. Submissions are accepted electronically. Some can be used as is. Those with text can be dragged and dropped onto slides, then dragged to NEXUS and activated. 5. Locally - produced PSAs have been getting extensive exposure. 3 new ones in October/November, from the History Center and the Family Reading Partnership, ran over 50 times each on the channel. • Capital The 2008 Capital Plan was revised to include the various changes in our needs that have arisen since it was approved in 2007, and submitted to for purchasing to our office in Syracuse in October. As in the 2007 plan, I moved things from the 2009 budget forward to 2008 when possible to replace several projects that were cancelled. Vender quotes: B &H, Markertek, Staples, Amazon, MacMall, Radio Shack, RKG Plumbing Item # Description Unit Price Quantity Total Price 1 Building Water Fountain Replacement $750.00 Description: Water fountain is broken and has been determined to be uneconomic to repair. Price quote attached from RKG Plumbing and Heating 2 Tascam DV-DO IU DVD Players $570.00 2 $1,140.00 Description: These are RS232 - controllable machines which are compatible with the NEXUS playback server. Replace 2 Tascam DV -6500 DVD Players that failed and are uneconomic to repair. Price quote available from B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo. com/bnh/controller/home ?O= search &A = search &Q = &shs= tascam +dvd +player &ci =0 3 Magnavox DPIOOMW8B Compact DVD Player $29.95 2 $59.90 Note - any DVD player without auto turnoff feature. It is for auto playback use. This is the same brand you got last time, but without the tuner. 4 Pyro AN Link w/o Elements Model # API- 558 -EFS $149.95 2 $299.90 Price quote available from B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo. com/bnh/controller/home ?O= search &A = search &Q = &shs= pyro +a +v +l ink +component +api -5 5 8- efs &ci =0 5 Samson XLR -M to XLR -F Cables 18' 3 -pak $29.99 3 $89.97 Price Quote at www.markertek.com http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?baseltem--SAM`/`2DMC1 8&cat--CABLESCON N& subcat= AUDIOCAB &prodClass= AXLRXLR &mfg= &search =0 &ofd 6 SVHS Cable M -M 25' Model # SV4- SV4 -25 $26.69 5 $133.45 Price Quote at www.markertek.com http:/ /www.markertek.com/SearchProduct .asp ?item = SV4 %2DS V4 %2D3 &off =7 &sort=p rod &skuonly =0& search =svhs +cables &pagesize =10000 7 SVHS Cable M -F 25' Model # SV4- SV4F -25 $26.69 5 $133.45 Price Quote at www.markertek.com http:// www.markertek.com/SearchProduct. asp ?item= SV4 %2DS V4F %2D3 &off =0 &sort= prod &skuonly =0& search =svhs +cables &pagesize =10000 ASK Proxima C350 XGA Projector $1,249.95 1 $1,249.95 9 InFocus SP -LAMP -034 Replacement Lamp [B &H# INLIN38 ] $389.951 $389.95 Price quote B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo .com/c /product/521941- REG /ASK Proxima C350_C350 XGA_Projector.html #accessories 10 Sennheiser MZW66 Foam Windscreen for ME66 mic $42.95 1 $42.95 Price quote B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo.com/c /product /73116- REG / Sennheiser MZW66 MZW66 Foam Windscreen.html 11 Sony UWP -V1 Wireless Lavalier ENG Microphone Package $499.95 4 $1,999.80 12 B &H Photo Lavalier Accessory Kit B &H# BHCSLBUKM B &H Kit $13.45 2 $26.90 Price quote B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo .com/c /product/553681- REG/Sony_UWPV1_3032 UWP V1_Wireless_Lavalier ENG.html #features 13 WindTech BG -1 Windscreen $27.95 2 $55.90 Price Quote B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo.com/c /product /298966- REG/WindTech BG 1 BG 1 Windscreen.html 14 Petrol PDRB -6 Dr. Petrol Bag - for DV or HD Camcorders and Accessories $294.95 6 $1,769.70 Price Quote B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo.com/c /product /531230- REG /Petrol_PDRB_6_PDRB_6_Dr Petrol_Bag.html #specifications 15 Bescor KLK -623DK On Camera Light Kit $84.99 6 $509.94 Price Quote B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo.com/c /product /504561- REG/Bescor KLK 623DK On Camera_Light.html #features 16 Logitech Elite 825B Stereo Headphones $14.95 10 $149.50 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/533308- REG/Logitech-980424-0403 Elite _825B_Stereo_Headphones.html 17 Sony NP -QM91D Info - Lithium Battery Pack $102.95 4 $411.80 Price Quote B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo.com/c /product /275105- REG /Sony NPQM9lD NP_QM91D Info Lithium Battery_Pack.html 18 Hotronic AP -41 TBC / Frame Synchronizer $974.95 3 $2,924.85 Description: Replace TBCs for channels 13, 15, 16 Price Quote B &H: Price Quote B &H: http: / /www.bhphotovideo.com/c /product /22612- REG/Hotronic AP41 AP 41 TBC Frame.html #features 19 In -House Labor [hourly rate - please adjust correct out -of -house rate] $60.00 32 $1,920.00 for installation of Knox Switcher and Studio II A/V cabling 20 Staff Computer package - estimated cost $1,500.00 Dell Computer, DVD player /CD Burner, flat - screen monitor Note: This computer is used extensively for peg administration and playback. Educational Access: LACS Description: 3 digital camcorders and accessories for their computer editing system. The school has purchased a new fleet of editing computers for the class. 21 Panasonic PV -GS90 Mini -DV camcorders $500.00 3 $1,500.00 22 4GB Secure HD Memory Cards $14.50 3 $43.50 23 Impact CGA -DU21 Lith -Ion Batteries $49.95 3 $149.85 Price quote available from B &H for above items: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/477103- REG/Panasonic PVGS320 PV GS320 3 CCD Mini.html 24 Universal AC/DC Charger for Pan. CGA -DU21A Battery $9.68 3 $29.04 Price quote available from Amazon.com for above items: http: / /www.amazon. com/Hi- Quality- Universal- PANASONIC - CGA -DU 14A -CGA- DU21A /dp /B0009V21TS /ref =sr 11- 1 ?ie= UTF8 &qid= 1225254262 &sr =11 -1 25 Logitech Elite 825B Stereo Headphones $14.956 $89.70 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/Product/533308- REG/Logitech-980424-0403 Elite-825B— Stereo— Headphones.html 26 Firewire cable 6pin — 4 pin, 14 feet, $24.95 1 $24.95 27 Firewire cable 6pin — 4 pin, 6 feet, $13.95 2 $27.90 Price quote available from B &H for above items: http://www.bhphotovideo.comlbnh/controller/home?ci=O&shs= Firewire+ cable& sb= ps &pn= 1 &sq= desc &InitialSearch =yes &O jsp %2FRootpage.jsp &A = search &Q =* &bhs =t &Go. x =18 &Go.y =11 28 Monster® MusicShare MINI -Y ST -2F Audio Splitter $10.99 5 $54.95 Price quote available from Radio Shack for above items: http: / /www.radioshack.com /product /index.j sp ?productld= 2123235 &cp = 29 Western Digital 500 GB My Book External Hard Drive $89.99 1 $89.99 Price quote available from Staples for above item: www. staples. com /office /supplies /Staples S earch? searchkey= Western +digital +external +ha rd +drive &storeld =10001 &catalogld =10051 &langld = -1 &fromUrl =home 30 LaCie 20x d2 DVD±RW with LightScribe Firewire, Double Layer and Toast 8 Titanium for Mac 301196U $114.99 1 $114.99 Price quote available from MacMall for above item: http: / /www.macmall.com/macmall /shop /detail.asp ?Redir -1 &description= LaCie %2D20x +d2 +DVD %B 1RW +with +LightScribe +Firewire %2C +Double +Layer +an d+ Toast +8+ Titanium+ for +Mac %2DDVD +Drives &dpno = 7497768 31 External Hard Drive 160 GB $80.00 6 $480.00 32 SanDisc USB 2.0 Flash Drive 8 GB $59.99 1 $59.99 Price quote available from Staples for above item: http: / /www.staples.com/office/ supplies /StaplesSearch ?searchkey= sandisk +flash +drive &s tore1d =10001 &catalogId =10051 &langId = -1 &fromUrl =home Subtotal $18,222.77 10% Tax / Freight $1,822.28 Total $20,045.05 • Notable Educational Access News Ithaca College is now the default signal for channel 16. • Repair The camcorder with a damaged pinch roller has been returned to service. The playback DVD player sent out for repair was given a quote of several hundred dollars [they don't fix things, they just replace the entire internal mechanism], making replacement preferable. Meanwhile, the second DVD player started to have the same problems, so 2 replacement DVD players were added to the capital budget. • Outreach A third feature article on PEGASYS producer Mike Brutvan appeared in Tompkins Weekly [Sept 29, p.10]. http://www.tompkinsweekly.com/. Appendix 2. TO: Gary Stewart, Deputy Director Office of Community Relations Cornell University 114 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 FROM: Will Burbank, Chair Access Oversight Committee and Representative of the Town of Ithaca 132 Glenside Road, Ithaca NY, 14850 DATE: November 22, 2008 RE: Access Oversight Committee We have been reading with interest your articles in the Ithaca Journal about events taking place at Cornell University. We are also delighted that you are showing East Hill Notes TV on Channel 16. In your articles, you refer to the channel as "Time Warner Channel 16." We would like to make a suggestion connected with that. Time Warner Cable makes three TV channels available to county residents for public access. It has to do so, as a condition of the Franchise Agreement for the operation of a Cable System. The Access Oversight Committee oversees the public access portion of the Agreement. We have found that Ithacans and county residents at large are often unfamiliar with the programs shown on the access channels or unaware that the programs they are watching are on an access channel and produced by local volunteers. This lack of awareness makes it difficult to generate the public support necessary to keep this public asset working well and serving the community. To increase awareness of this wonderful public resource, we hope that you will mention explicitly in your publicity that your TV program is cablecast on "Educational Access TV Channel 16." Please contact me at <willburbank(a twcny.rr.com> or 607- 272 -7555 if you have questions about this request or about public access TV in general. Thank you. Cc. Members of the AOC (E -mail) Access Oversight Committee Will Burbank <willburbank @twcny.rr.com> Wayles Browne <ewb2 @cornell.edu> Jennifer Dotson <jdotson @cityofithaca.org> Trish O'Rourke <trish @ithacalaw.com> Wies van Leuken <pmv4 @cornell.edu>