HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CABLE-1991-09-09 Minutes from the Access Advisory Board Meeting of Sept. 9, 1991
1 . Meeting called to order at 7:15 p.m.
Present: Rick Grey, Eloise Green, Peter Hess, Robert Manvell, Lauren
Stefanelli, Harvey Gitlin, Cathy Johnson, Jim Blizzard
Absent: Floyd Johnson
2. Minutes of last meeting approved.
3. Peter gave a report on the NFLCP convention he attended in Portland this
past summer. Discussions with people at the conference renewed his
interest in the possibility of a non-profit organization managing the access
center. He will talk with the AAB and the city about this in the near future
to get an idea of how much support there is for the idea, and how feasible it
would be. He will copy the conference materials on non-profit management,
distribute them to AAB members, and put this matter on the agenda of next
month's meeting.
Next NFLCP regional meeting will be in Amherst area this fall:
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regional meeting will be next spring in
Newark.
SBE convention will be Friday, 9/27, in Liverpool,
4. No public comment,
5. ACC Report: Results from the survey conducted by the interns were
passed around in the form of raw data. The survey was conducted in June,
after the departure of most of the students. Lauren welcomes suggestions
for questions for the next survey. She hopes to survey a larger sample
sometime in the future when students are in town.
6. Cable Commission Report: There was no meeting in August. The next
Cable Commission meeting will be September 17. (The chair is out of town).
There was a suggestion that the AAB change its meeting time to the last
Monday of each month (move it forward one week) so that there will be more
time to get things that result from the AAB meeting to the following CC
meeting. The AAB will think about this and put it on next month's agenda.
7. Report of Capital Equipment Committee: The AAB voted to support the
committee's proposal and send it onward to the Cable Commission. Since
ACc. win want to begin spenaing the 2 n on the rirst or octooer this was
deemed a timely move, The issue of whether transmission equipment should
be paid for from that 2% allocation will not likely be resolved before that
time, so it was the sense of the meeting that the AAB should go ahead and
include such equipment in the proposal as part of a prioritized list of
equipment requirements, Support was also expressed for the idea of taking
this matter to the X1,1', State Cable Commission, given lack of progress in
discussions with ACC,
8, E/u Access Report: There are problems with channels 53 and 54 some
people can't find them at all, some people find them on the next channel over
from where they belong, and a significant portion of cable customers don't
even know they exist (as shown by the recent survey).
Regarding the lack of public awareness, the AAB recognizes a need for
more and better publicity about the existence of these channels,
Regarding the problem of these channels being offset in some users'
televisions, it was agreed that Peter will bring this up at the Cable
Commission meeting, He will ask the Commission to formally request that
ACC. correct the problem ASAP, so that if and when customers hear about
these channels they will be able to find them on their tv's,
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Report to the CAAB on the ICC meeting of 9/10/91
1. Public comment session and discussion
Eloise Greene related a conversation she participated in at the ACC office.It was evident that the CSRon
dutymsmisinformed about the we of access charnels 53&54.Barbara Lukens said shewas surprised
about this lackof knowledge,and would see that it was addressed.
Bill McCormick spoke on sevesalmatteiss
-He highlighted several findings from the recent Ascribes swveycarductedbyvolunteers at the access
centers 92% city residents watch ch.13i 2/3 of'timbers watch more than one access program per
month;19%watch at least twice a weeks 2/3 axe se-aware of the existence of ch.53s 80%think ch.13 is a
valuable carnality resource.
-He said that people are not told about converterboxeswhen r fox basic cable service.
-In some ACC publicity,charnel 13 is identified as the Laming
-Cornell and IC have sired contracts with SCOIA,butno channel has been designated fox them. Barbara
said shewas unaware until today that these agreements had be reached.
-Bill grave some esamples of people with access • ideas who were deterred because the times
theywant for their live programs are unavailab . nine access channels were operating,Bill asserts,
theywouldbe filled. People are unwilling to fight ACC when theyare told time isnot available.
-The I-Net should be up and .
n
-Access staff are bei Bused fox ACC sales and promotion activities.
-ACC should arrange demonstrations ofsquipmantbeingconsidered for access purchase so that the
advisoryboard can evaluate it before n ngrecosnwnadatians.
I supported Bill's concerns about the I-Netnotbeingactive at most of the sites specified in the franchise,
and said that the language of the franchise requires and modulators and drops at all I-Net sites.Jim
Blizzard pointed out that if this were done it would srovide additional locations fox live access
pwgrranrrrnmg.Barbara asked for time to look into this and agreed to report back at thenext meeting.dim
•dd that he would brin gupwith the CAAB the taskof promoting the I-Net to participating sites.
Tom Tannin asked about the we of access staff for non-access functions.Barbara said that Lauren is
required to attend aweeldymanager'smeting. She said that other than that,no access staff was now
doing other work for ACC,though theymay have in the east.She said that she felt that they could be
called upon to do so,and Tam firmly disagreed with this interpretation of franchise requirements.
5m asked about howstaff hours are assigned. Barbara responded that the staff meets weekly to set the
schedule.Jamnoted that the center was open dailyfrom 3 to 11:30 pm and said that hewould like to see
more open hours.jinn and Bill said,for example, that there were religious groups that would like to put
programming on on Sundays.
Bill noted that tha new tit imnng requir m nts are restrictive because it now takes longer for newvolunteas
tobe checked out on equipment.
2.CRAB report
a) Ed. &Gov't access administration. I distributed the resolution callingfor the CAAB to set up a sub-
canmitt.'to deal with Educational access and asked fox carwnent from the Conwnission and ACC. Tan
suggested that the resolution include language about seeking representation from local school districts,as
state negations require.Othexwise,no one indicated that theyhad problems with the intent or
provisions of the resolution.
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b)Capital spending plan.The capital spending plan passed by the CAAB was approved with two
revisions.
-Item 4s the discrehanaryfund for the access coordinator was reduced from$5000 to$500.No scenarios
could be imagined by the people present that'would require such a large esspenditure and would supersede
CAAB priorities.
-Hem 6:Softwoods los(owl bullatinboald,was to include hasdwase as wall.
Mich discussion of the process took place.The wluti n ap rovi ngthe recommendations,also asked the
CAAB to,in the future,providemore specific price information. It was the sense of the board that nett
year's planningprocess should begin in Januaryso that when the first quarter allocation is computed, the
board is readywith recommendations for spending that money.
c)Transmission problems on chs.53&54. As instructed by the CAAB resolution passed at our last meeting.
esspressed to ACC and the Commission ow serious comerro about the channel offset on 53&54. It teens out
that all charnels above 25 are offset for/levies certain equipment in rebuilt areas. ACC says that this is
necessary for subscribes in non-rebuilt areas to continue to receive the charnels they are getting.ACC will
attempt to address the problem,and the commission asked that its and the CAAB's serious concerns be
noted.ACC says that thr rroblemwill disappear wh n the rebuild is completewhich,they say,will be
in January.
The ACC engineering staffhas done some testingto isolate the cause for poor sicnal quality on
transmissions from aty hall.They tried a newmodulator at the last city counal meeting and the problem
continued to be present. ACC indicated that theywill continue toworkon the problem.
d)Costs of traamission iipment. Barbara had left(she was not feelingwull)by the time this part of
the agenda was reached. DisasssionWM brief. I upraised my concern that the apparent delaying tactics
employed by ACC had not yetbe countered,and that it seers that only forceful action is likely to achieve
results.
Tom will follow upwith Barbara,inwriting, on some of the access-related issues raised at this meeting.
Monthe luwill pursue arcs completion of the I-Net,charnel 53 quality,channel offset above ch.
25,and use�moneyfor equipment refurbishment.
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Draft Resolution; 10/7/91:
The Community Access Advisory Board hereby creates a standing committee
on educational [and governmental] access and charges it enter into a
contract with ACC to assume primary responsibility for the administration
of the educational [and governmental] channels which are currently
established and those which may be established in the future.
After the committee is formed, its first task will be to draft a contract
with ACC outlining the responsibilities it will take on, and how it expects
to discharge them.
The membership of this committee will be as follows:
• The committee shall consist of the two Institutional appointees to the
CAAB
• The access coordinator shall serve as an ex-officio member of the
committee.
All other appointments will be made by a vote of the general membership of
the CAAB from among qualified candidates as described below:
• The CAAB will appoint one more of its members to serve as an
independent liaison between the board and the committee.
• The committee shall include appropriate representation of local school
districts within the service area, as called for in State regulations. The
City of Ithaca because it is the largest school district in the coverage area,
shall each annually be invited to nominate a representative, unless they are
already represented.
•T.S.T. BOCES, Ithaca College and Tompkins County Public Library, [the City
of Ithaca and Tompkins County], as charter organizations, shall each
annually be invited to nominate a representative, unless they are already
represented.
• Committee membership will be open to other representatives of
educational [and governmental] institutions and agencies within the ACC
coverage area.
The committee will hold open public meetings at least twice a year, which
will be announced at least one month in advance of their occurrence.
Minutes will be kept which will become part of the public record. Other
organizational matters are left to the committee.
.
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Establishing Non-Profit Access Management
National Federation of Local Cable Programmers
1991 National Convention
Prepared by
Gennah Gail Copen
Copen & Lind Access Consultants
Gennah Gail Copen Public Access Consultants
Paul Lind 413-253-5042
ACCESS START-UP CHECKLIST
Initiators or Seed board
Articles of Incorporation
By-laws
Nonprofit 501 (c) 3 status
Board selection or election
Access Consultant
Access Plan if RFP
Establishments of Bd. Committees
Develop current and projected budget
Job descriptions
Site Search
Executive Director Search
Interviews and selection
Projected yearly budget
Develop Rules and Procedures
Insurance
Design training workshops
create forms and releases
Facility Design
Contractor Selection
Renovation
Equipment selection, bid and installation
Celebrate
Gennah Gail Copen Public Access Consultants
• Paul Lind (413) 253-5042
GENERAL SITE SELECTION PARAMETERS
Close to town/city center and public transportation
In area of town or city where all members of the community can
feel welcome as well as secure during day or night time hours
First Floor (or large elevator) ' /
Approx. 3,500 sq. f t.u. 700 0,• s�,• •�T•
Space for studio, control room, editing, playback, offices,
remote equipment, engineering, storage, conference room/classes
Minimum 30x30 area, for studio, without obstruction and with
14 foot ceiling-Cc)cyp)+
Handicapped/elderly accessible
Quiet (soundproofed or proofable)
Available bathrooms
Air conditioned - 5 to 7 tons for studio: 3 to 5 tons for rest
Adequate heat f
Parking for at least 6-12 cars / !Z-/S
APPROXIMATE TIME LINE
Phase I - 2 months
Develop project budgets
Site search - location of 3 possible sites
Negotiate long term lease or mortgage
Write and conclude papers
- 1 -
Phase II - 4 months
Design: create floor plans, all other necessary drawings, room
specifications, necessary engineering, necessary work with
inspectors, work with municipal boards and planners
Meet with and put project out to bid to 3 general contractors
and appropriate sub-contractors
Develop and negotiate with contractor
Write and conclude contract
Phase III - 3 months
Supervise Renovation
Develop preliminary equipment package
Design Equipment Installation
Finalize package and put out to bid to several vendors
Phase IV - 2 months
Make necessary substitutions, negotiations and select vendor
Install , test and time equipment
Return defective equipment to vendor
Best case 9 months - Worst case 16 months
•
Projected Budget
FY' 91 Monthly Budget
Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.
Revenue
Cable Company 350,000
Interest 0
Services 0
Workshops 0
Underwriting 0
Grants 0
Total Revenue $350,000
Expenses
Personnel:
Director 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,750
Prog/Admin. Asst. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Prod. Coordinator 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trainer/Outreach 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trainer/Outreach 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Health Ins. 0 0 0 0 0 0 170
FICA 0 0 0 0 0 0 209
Workmans Comp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
Consult. Serv. 4,800 4,800 4,800 4,800 4,800 2,400 2,400
Travel & Educ. 0 0 0 0 0 1,200 0
Subtotal $4,800 $4,800 $4,800 $10,600 $10,600 $9,400 $11,349
Office:
Rent 0 0 0 3,300 3,300 3,300 3,300
Utilities 0 0 0 100 150 150 200
Phone 100 100 100 100 100 200 200
Insurance 0 0 0 200 200 200 200
Acct./Bookeeper 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Audit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Legal Serv. 0 0 1,000 0 0 0 0
Supplies 50 50 100 50 50 50 100
Postage 50 50 50 50 200 50 50
Printing/Promo. 0 200 200 200 400 50 50
Off. Equipment 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dues/Subs. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Maint./Janitor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Misc. 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Subtotal $400 $600 $1,650 $4,200 $4,600 $4,200 $4,300
Technical:
Engineer 110hr/wk1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tech. Supplies 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Parts & Outside Repair 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tapes/Prod. Consum. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Subtotal $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
-1-
Capital:
Renovation 0 0 0 58,333 58,333 58,334 0
Renovation Contingency 0 0 0 8,750 8,150 8,750 0
Equipment 0 0 0 0 0 0 65,000
Office Furniture 0 0 0 0 0 0 6,000
Equipment Replacement 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Subtotal $0 $0 $0 $67,083 $66,483 $67,084 $71,000
Expense Subtotal $5,200 $5,400 $6,450 $81,883 $81,683 $80,684 $86,649
Expense Total $347,949
Gain/(Loss) $2,051
-2-
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Dealing with Controversial Programs
by Dirk Koning
Inherent in managing a public access channel with a first-come,first served philosophy
is the chance that you will be approached to air programs that may be of a controversial nature.
While the following suggestions make no attempt to define "controversial," they will give you a
hint as to how to handle such programs, how others have handled them,and what liabilities you
should be aware of.
First, let's assume you are a manager of public access channel,rather than a governmental
or educational access channel. Regardless of your management structure,let's also assume you
have a written policy for the programming of your channel. This policy is our starting point.
Programming Policy
• Be sure it is available in print.
• Be sure it is approved by whatever management structure exists.
• Be sure it is applied consistently,fairly,and without exceptions unless stated.
• Be sure it doesn't violate any local, state,or federal law, including the First Amendment.
• Pick a good example of"controversial"programming, and practice applying it to your
policy. (Get a "devil's advocate" to present a program and attack your system/policy.)
To Cablecast or Not to Cablecast
Federal law prohibits the cablecasting of:
• slander/liable
• violent overthrow of the government
• obscene or indecent material
The definitions of slander(among others)is readily available(Ed. See "References").
Find it, list it as an addendum to your policy,and post at your center.
Sedition is usually quite obvious.
Obscenity is only what a judge has deemed obscene, through the court process.
Indecency is based on community standards. Find out what "community"your standards
should be based on within your area. (For example,the Supreme Court of Michigan has decided
that the entire state is the "community" that standards are based on.)
Programming Imports
It is obvious that many groups have realized the potential of public access television to
spread their message. More and more local access channels are receiving requests from nationally
based groups to cablecast regionally or nationally produced programs.Here are several, general
examples of how locals are handling these requests:
37
• Most agree that locally produced shows should take precedence
(time slot, frequency)in programming.
• Some locations have banned all imported programming. First, the
legality of such a ban has not been tested, and, secondly, you limit
your options to share programming with your community from others.
• Some have allowed imported programs with a local sponsor, and at
least fifty percent of the content produced locally.
• Some have allowed imported programs with just a local sponsor.
(Someone from the area delivers and picks up the tape and signs the
necessary cablecast forms.)
• Some have have actually sought programming from other locations,
to ensure broad diversity of program content on their access channel.
Whatever you choose,be sure you are willing to defend it. Also,remember you can be
sued for prior censorship if you opt not to air something without valid defense from a valid policy.
Also,remember the inherent "fairness doctrine" of public access,and how it translates into
equal time for rebuttal. (Some stations make a point of notifying the potential opposition in
advance of any controversial program, so they may present an immediate rebuttal,programmed
"back-to-back" with the controversial show.)
Don't panic when the controversial programming application arrives.
Know the rules and be ready to apply them evenly and fairly.
The best response is based on policy,not emotion.
Positive Approaches to Other Media
So, you're about to cablecast something of a controversial nature.
Be ready to talk to local media.
Be sure to explain your policy and the process that occurred before the show aired,
but go further.
Talk to them about the principle of airing the program and question their interest in this,
as opposed to the hundreds or thousands of other local community programs.
Accentuate the positive. List many of your other solid community service programs.
Have quotes ready.
• "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech..."
(First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution)
• "If Congress can't do it,how can I?"
• "Though I may not agree with what you say, I will defend to the death
your right to say it." (paraphrase of Voltaire, 17th Century French philosopher)
38
Gennah Gail Copen Public Access Consultants
Paul Lind (413) 253-5042
BOARD TRAINING WORKSHOP
introductions:
- Background in community work
- Present interest in Community Access
Access:
- What is Public Access, by whom and for whom; narrow casting
- History, the national scope
- Why nonprofit
- What is the vision/mission
- First Amendment rights
- Nonprofit organizations use of access
Roles:
- Role of the community board: mission, by-laws, operating
policies, job description, hiring, evaluation of director,
oversight of fiances, fund raising and long-range planning
- Role of director: daily operations, outreach, training,
supervision of volunteer users, other staff, interns,
scheduling of channel and equipment, grant writing,
budgeting, assisting board in fund raising, etc.
Support of Access Centers
- Cable Company, Community, Municipality, Community Board
- What is needed: current contract, municipal support
- Operating budget, capital expense budget
- Community fund raising: sponsorship, grants, contributions,
special courses, community calendar, etc.
Questions:
Break
Facility & Equipment:
- What is needed: models that work and models that don't
- Equipment: how to choose it, bid process, installation
- User orientation and maintenance
Outreach and images
- Personal contact, management, orientation of volunteers,
community organizations, local press, training workshops,
brochures, newsletters, events, fund raising, etc.
Policies & Guidelines:
- Operating rules, programming guidelines, program content
- Legalities ie insurance, copyright, releases, liability
- Equipment use, studio and program scheduling
Additional Questions:
DEVELOPING AN AUDIENCE FOR YOUR
COMMUNITY CHANNEL
ice. i " 1
SETTING THE STAGE--OUTREACH
1. Set Goals :
a. Develop a community awareness of community television.
b. Develop an audience--Let people know what is on the
channel.
c. Continue doing outreach even when activity level is
high.
d. Develop a support system throughout the community.
2. Identify key organizations and groups:
a. Compile a complete list of community groups, organiza-
tions, politicians, and institutions (get on their
mailing list for press releases and newsletters) .
Send a nice letter explaining what is available.
b. Choose initial targets; then set up an outreach plan
for the rest of the' year.
c. Make contacts, appointments, and speak at meetings .
d. Have volunteers help with outreach.
3. Information tooths at community activities, shopping malls,
libraries, churches, etc.:
a. Get permission to set up a remote truck or booth to
disseminate information. Include:
(1) Information handouts, brochures, buttons, and
balloons .
(2) Newsletters.
(3) Workshop sign-up sheets.
b. Show- samples of locally produced programs.
c. Give equipment presentation.
d. Publicize the event as much as possible.
•
DEVELOPING AN AUDIENCE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY CHANNEL Page 2
4. Have an Open House:
a. Give facility tours.
b. Show sample program tape.
c. Public Access orientation--philosophy.
d. Equipment demonstration.
e. Written information, handouts, etc.
f. Cake, coffee, etc.
5. Have an Awards Banquet:
a. Spaghetti dinner or pancake breakfast?
b. Show tapes.
c. Give recognition to hard-working volunteers .
d. Entertainment.
C. Svbrf w,h, ,o f-c Kaww+-tiu/r_- USfF
6. Make yourself available to the media:
a. Newspaper articles.
b. Radio talk shows.
c. Television talk shows.
IF A TV PROGRAM AIRS WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE, DOES IT MAKE A
SOUND????
1. Their are two key concepts to keep in mind to insure that
your show is seen:
a. Creating an interesting show--No matter how dry your
topic, there is no excuse not to have an interesting
show. To communicate your message effectively, you
must create something that people will want to watch.
b. Developing an audience--Now that you have an interest-
ing program, it' s important that people watch it. No
matter how good your show is, people can' t watch what
they don' t know exists.
Some Pros and Cons of Establishing Non-Profit Access Management
Here is a brief list of some advantages and disadvantages to going the non-
profit route. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but is meant to stimulate
thought and discussion. I'd like to see us add to it as we begin to consider
these alternatives.
Pros:
True community control of access center
increased community stake in access
Less expenditure of energy on disputes with cable company
Insulates access from effects of changes in management at ACC
Access staff is not "serving two masters"
Cons:
Possible need to find new studio space along with furniture and fixtures
More administrative duties for access staff; less time to help with
production.
No more free services from ACC such as: heat, utilities, insurance, phones,
bookkeeping, building maintenance
Can't take advantage of ACC's purchasing power
Start up costs: consultant, legal expenses
No more help from ACC technical staff
CableAccessAdvisoryfloardPhoneandAddressList
Peter Hess , Chairperson
131 West Haven Rd.
Ithaca 14850 272-1831 work 274-3384
Jim Blizzard ,Ombudsperson
44 E Wier Rd.
Ithaca 14850 272-7563
Richard Gray
302 Utica St.
Ithaca 14850 272-2628
Cathy Johnson
1605 Ellis Hollow Rd
Ithaca 14850 273-1255
Eloise Greene , Vice-Chairperson
RD 1,Box 244
Spencer 14883 273-5547 work 274-3244
Lauren Stefanelli
519 W. State St.
Ithaca 14850 272-6610 work 272-7272
Harvey Gitlin
PO Box 39
Slaterville Springs 14881 539-6203
Floyd Johnson
206 2nd St
Ithaca 14850
Robert Manvell
109 Pinewood Dr.
Ithaca 14850 257-6998 work 257-1551
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