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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CABLE-1990-06-04 Community Access Advisory Board Minutes of the June 4 , 1990 Meeting at the Tompkins County Public Library Submitted by Frances McKenzie Revised by Mary Jo Dudley • Present: Mary Jo Dudley, John Efroymson, Bill McCormick, Eloise Green, Frances McKenzie, Lauren Stefanelli, Bill Demo, Peter Hess, Richard Herskowitz Mary Jo opened the meeting at 7:05 pm. I. The minutes of the May 14 , 1990 CAAB meeting were approved as read. II. Peter Hess presented his report on the Ithaca City Cable Commission meeting of May 15, 1990. Efroymson had a question regarding Section 5 and the 7/31/90 ACC deadline for requests for equipment for the 1990 year. He was concerned about opening up requests to other PEG organizations in addition to Access Producers. McCormick questioned the definition of "legitimate" claims re spending money on equipment. Efroymson suggested getting the request list from ACC so CAAB can review after 7/31/90 deadline at the August CAAB meeting. The following resolution was passed unanimously: Be it resolved that: 1 ) the CAAB request that ACC provide a detailed report of all equipment requests (including prices and descriptions of packages under consideration) for the calendar year 1990 to all CAAB members by mail before its August 6, 1990 meeting, and 2) that the CAAB can respond with recommendations and prioritized requests at the August 6, 1990 meeting, and 3) that the CAAB request that Lauren Stefanelli and Joe Powers be present at the August 6, 1990 meeting to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the options under consideration, and 4) that the CAAB will communicate its priorities to the Ithaca Cable Commission and the ACC General Manager after that meeting. There was discussion re procedures for reviewing/approving equipment purchases (using the annual 2% money) . Demo felt that CAAB should actively work towards a fair prioritization of equipment purchases. Dudley will send a letter to ACC regarding the deadline request. III . Lauren Stefanelli made the ACC report. ACC declines to give out any operating budget information for any year (in response to CAAB request per the 5/14/90 meeting) . Herskowitz raised a question regarding the public nature of the ACC operating budget. McCormick stressed the need to have accurate information to allow the CAAB to make recommendations. Discussion followed about what information is required to be given out. Regarding the CAAB request for a list of Access capital expenditures for 1988 and 1989, Stefanelli stated that Mike Withiam did not require Access Staff to submit quarterly reports. The first quarterly report was done in June 1989. Discussion ensued re whether ACC is required to issue a retroactive report since the franchise fee change was retroactive after the approval of the Ithaca City Franchise agreement. Stefanelli is working on a retroactive report which will be reviewed by Barbara Lukens and if she approves, Lauren will present it to the CAAB. The following resolution was passed unanimously: Be it resolved that the Community Access Advisory Board requests that the Ithaca City Cable Commission vigorously pursue a detailed inventory of expenditures under the 2% franchise agreement from January 1988 through the present and we [CAAB] further resolve that this be an ongoing process throughout the period of the franchise. Stefanelli reported that more than a dozen volunteers covered the Ithaca Festival events, creating more than 24 hours of footage to be edited. The Annual ACE Awards will be held on Saturday June 30, 1990 with Open House from 1-5 pm, refreshments at 7 pm and ceremony at 7:30 pm. 4. IV. Special discussion about the addition of more access channels What is required: 9 Access Channels to be available What is wanted: If 9 channels were activated, what would that mean in terms of equipment. Discussion ensued regarding the need for additional channels to meet programming needs. Unanswered question re actual logistics of how it will actually happen. Dudley requested information regarding the level of requests for cablecasting time. Per Stefanelli the Bulletin Board has 50+ requests for messages per month and people call ACC to make sure their announcement gets on. Bulletin Board now airs 4-5 pm and after regular 11 pm+ program time. One channel could be used just for the Bulletin Board. Dudley stated that if a government channel/educational channel were open, there would be more time for that type of broadcasting and also more time for community access producers. The question remains re how to get additional editing time which would be required to support opening another access channel. Herskowitz was afraid that with 9 channels it would be politically hurtful to the long term efforts of "Access" . He was willing to support 4 or 5 additional channels at this time. McKenzie stated that now is a good time to activate the additional channels while interest is high - supports 4-5 new channels for now. McCormick wants to offer viewers a choice in same time slots possible with multiple channels. Green stated there seemed to be a mandate to develop the running of the additional channels. Worried about the logistics of running the channels. Ithaca College has a master control that has been underutilized to date. Green particularly interested in educational TV - broadcast for night classes, etc. Efroymson concerned about possible 6 month deadline to activate or lose the channels. He feels that at least 2 Public Access Channels are needed [not counting govt/educational] . Demo would like a dedicated government access channel. Such a channel would endear Access to City residents. Likes the bulletin board channel . Not sure about the educational TV channel . Demo willing to support 4-5 channels in addition to current single one. Would like to have a meaningful Access Survey for needs beyond the initial 5. Such a survey would also promote Access and educate the general public to what Access television is. Dudley would like a signed survey from groups who want to commit to using Access. A subcommittee was formed to investigate what is involved in activating the additional channels - members to be Bill McCormick and Eloise Green. This subcommittee will report at the July meeting regarding logistics for additional channels and proposed method to proceed with the request. Herskowitz wants legal clarification on proper way to request actual implementation of the new channel activation (will the State Cable Commission back us up?) . V. Announcements NFLCP National Conference in Washington, DC to be held the end of July. Dudley requested that the City of Ithaca send her to the conference. The Mayor supports sending Dudley at this time. The next meeting of the CAAB will be held on Monday July 2 , 1990 at 7 pm at the Tompkins County Public Library. On the agenda will be setting CAAB priorities to give to ACC and a report from the above mentioned subcommittee.