HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CABLE-2009-07-08Cable Access Oversight Committee minutes July 8, 2009 (as approved August 4, 2009)
The Cable Access Oversight Committee (AOC) met at 4:40 pm on Wednesday, July 8,
2009, in the Aurora Conference Room at Ithaca Town Hall.
Present: AOC members Wayles Browne, Mike Brutvan, Rich DePaolo, Wies van
Leuken; studio manager Lauren Stefanelli.
0. Notes by W. Browne as AOC secretary.
1. M. Brutvan called the meeting to order.
2. The minutes of the June 9, 2009 meeting were approved without change.
3. Comments from members of the public: none.
4. Member reports and discussion.
- W. van Leuken asks about the phrase "16 hours per week opening time" referring to the
studio hours. L. Stefanelli: this is within a total of 23 to 25 hours /week work time; the
total varies up and down due to franchise fee fluctuations.
Van Leuken: How many weeks was the studio closed? Stefanelli: 3 weeks. Van L.: So we
can ask for 3x16 = 48 make -up hours? Stefanelli: Yes; see my report.
- M. Brutvan has gone through the wording of the franchise agreement and sees possible
problems: what happens if the facility is suddenly unusable? No contingency plan is
specified; there should be one. AOC could pass a resolution calling on TWC to create one
in cooperation with AOC. Brutvan will draft and distribute such a resolution to be
discussed at next AOC meeting. Van Leuken suggests checking with the City Attorney.
- Brutvan: producers would like to have Internet access, preferably wireless, in the studio
for the purpose of downloading maps, news etc. for use in programs. Stefanelli: so far
TWC has declined to provide Internet (wired or wireless) for producers. DePaolo
suggests producers could absolve TWC in writing of any liability for their use of Internet
materials. Brutvan: will draft and distribute a resolution to this effect, to be discussed at
next AOC meeting. Stefanelli: the only Internet connection we have now is part of
TWC's internal network, therefore not available to the public. The AOC saw the justice
of this and decided to ask for a regular commercial Internet connection.
5. Report on 2010 Budget approvals by City, Town and Village boards, continued.
The City and Town boards have approved the budget, as stated at the June meeting. W.
van Leuken has not yet heard definitely from the Village of Cayuga Heights; will follow
up. [From e -mail Village Clerk Mary Jane Neff to Van L., July 9: "It was passed at the
June 15th Board meeting.... will do a resolution certification today and send to TWC. "]
6. Studio Manager's report: presented in writing. (See Appendix.)
Discussion: Via Stefanelli, TWC manager T. Doheny handed AOC a copy of the 2
reports from Postler & Jaeckle Corp. (Rochester), which had tested the air in the
PEGASYS studio building using the Aircuity IAQ (indoor air quality) Evaluation System
beginning 8 June and the Aircuity OptimaTM Building Optimization System beginning 9
2
June. From the first: "Pollen counts 0 ... mold spores were within recommended
guidelines and does [sic] not require attention ... No high -risk mold types were found."
From the second: "Comfort and Ventilation: Improvement possible" (seems to refer only
to temperature measurements; carbon dioxide and humidity needed no improvement).
"Air Cleanliness: No action suggested. Building Pollutants: No action suggested."
- Discussion of making up the 48 hours: sentiment was for making them up during the
fall season at the rate of 3 or 4 hours per week, perhaps on Saturday afternoons. M.
Brutvan will write and distribute a resolution calling for this. Producers Brutvan and
Alison Rawlins may be able to get training so that they can run the studio as replacements
during Stefanelli's absences.
- There was some discussion of Stefanelli's June document with proposed rules for access
producers; this will have to be continued at the next meeting.
7. Next meeting: Tuesday Aug. 4, 4:30. Place to be announced.
8. Meeting adjourned 5:50.
Contact information for AOC members:
Jennifer Dotson, Common Council liaison <jdotson9cityofithaca.org>
Wayles Browne, secretary <ewb2 @omell.edu>
Rich DePaolo <rd @richdepaolo.com>
Wies van Leuken <pmv4 e,cornell.edu> and <WIESVL&cityofithaca.org>
Michael Brutvan <noidea @lightlink.com >, <mbrutvan@mac.com>
Web site for the PEGASYS studio, with program schedules: http: / /www.pegasysaccess.org/
studio location: 612 West Green Street, Ithaca, New York
mailing address: 519 West State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
phone (607) 272 -7272
fax (607) 277 -5404
PEGASYS staff:
Lauren Stefanelli lauren.stefanelli&twcable.com
Appendix: Access Coordinator Report to A.O.C.
8 July 2009
• Repair and Maintenance
From June 1 through June 18, the PEGASUS facility was closed while
environmental testing was done to address concerns about air quality. During this period,
cablecasting playback and field equipment sign -out continued. The cable store front
counter accepted media submissions. The laptop computer was signed out for editing and
Lauren was available for production consultations in an alternative office space. On
Monday, June 22, after test results showed no cause for concern, the facility was re-
opened to the public.
Time Warner has stated that it is prepared to make up the 48 hours of operation
that were missed during this 3 -week period. Tom Doheny requested that the AOC make
suggestions about preferred make -up hours.
The studio air conditioner has begun having problems. A service technician is
expected tomorrow.