HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CABLE-1993-03-24 CABLE ACCESS ADVISORY BOARD
March 24, 1993
MINUTES
Present: Rick Gray,David Huff,Eloise Greene, Robert Manvell, Mary Milne,Joe Powers, Matt
Ryan,Lauren Stefanelli (Public: Rich Lawrence,Robin Palmer)
1.Meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM.
2. Robert Manvell was designated as the minute-taker.Minutes of February 24, 1993 were
approved.
3.Amendments to Agenda/Announcements: Elosie questioned the need to discuss commercial
access. Rick brought up the I-Net meeting which was discussed at the Educational
Committee Meeting yesterday.
4.Public Comment: Rich Lawrence introduced himself and expressed his dissatisfaction with
current access policies and presented a"quick survey"done this afternoon regarding
studio and cable time. Rich could not get studio time to do his program this past week and
had to use a camcorder. He used the example of Bill McCormick and Jean Finely's block
of time to demonstrate the magnitude of the problem and read from a collection of
comments from other producers. Rich asked for restrictions on time as there are too
many producers trying to get air time. With a combined 10 hour a week limit it is difficult
for individuals to get time within a 60 hour window. A reasonable number of hours for
air time would be four hours,according to Rich,and he felt that the same should be
considered for edit time. Copies of the comments and other documentation presented have
been included as part of the minutes.
Robin also spoke in support of limiting time.He distributed a copy of the Cable 13
schedule to illustrate how much time is allocated to Bill and Jean. Robin indicated a
willingness to reduce or limit repeats if it would help to make time available for all
producers.
Rich spoke about a"sanitary code" needing to be established or enforced, regarding
following someone physically offensive in close quarters.
Discussion by the Board following the presentation seemed to be generally in support of
the comments presented. Concern was expressed over the perceived "channel identity"of
Channel 13. This is not a new issue and has been reviewed previously. The current
"team"of Jean and Bill can monopolize close to 50%of air time with repeats and
programming. The Board felt that this was excessive for anyone,not just the two
individuals mentioned in the example. David suggested that a possible solution would be
to establish new policies which would require substantive differences in the programming
to insure diversity. Another possible solution would be to limit total producer time
regardless of the individual's role in any given production. Support for a change in
policy seems to be in line,the problem will be to get an individual or sub-committee to
write something for the group to react to. An attempt at some new wording will be
undertaken by Lauren,Matt,and Eloise.
Lauren addressed the hygiene issue. This is a very difficult and sensitive issue due to the
fact that this situation involves a medical condition. Recommendations included pursuing
guidance from the health department and/or ACC's attorney.
(more)
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5. Report of the Access Coordinator: Lauren distributed her report and also circulated information
about the Syracuse Upstate Media Festival. Rick asked about the capital budget,but
Lauren had little new information. Hopefully Ray McCabe will have something to
present at the next cable commission meeting.
6.Report of the City Cable Commission: Rick had little to report. He did ask about the expansion
of the studio facilities at the meeting and would like to know if this item is something to
pursue or drop from future agendas.
7.Report of the Educational Committee:The Educational Committee met yesterday. The
chairperson is discouraged at the slow progress on the policies and procedures manual.
Robert indicated that he could no longer serve as chair after June 30th,Lauren asked the
Educational Committee to address the concept of individuals from educational institutions
• wanting to broadcast over Channel 13. There is a perceived advantage on broadcasting
over Channel 13 and this could create serious scheduling problems. Robert agreed to
include this topic on a future agenda but also commented that it is difficult to"define your
own public".
8.Report of the Governmental Committee: No Report,next meeting will be at City Hall on April
1, 1993. Lauren mentioned that the Amiga Computer is being used for the bulletin board.
Also they have been working on timed remote playback of tape which has been rather
successful.
9.Old Business:[No action due to time constraints]
A.Amend policies and procedures based on understandings reached at last meeting with Ray
McCabe.
1.Access playback policies
2.Access playback facilities reconfiguration(time-line)
3.Formalizing promotion strategies
B.Discussion of status of 1993 expenditures for"capitol PEG access equipment replacement
and expansion" (entertaining all suggestions to move the process along).
C. Commercial content on access revisited(deferred from last three meetings).
10.New Business: [No action due to time constraints]
A.Plan to expand facility hours of operation: the survey
B.Plan for expansion of Access facilities at 612 W.Green St.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM. Minutes respectfully submitted by Robert Manvell.
CABLE ACCESS ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting
Wednesday, March 24, 1993
Tompkins County Public Library
7:00PM
AGENDA
1. Call to Order/Designate Recorder
2. Approval of Minutes of February 24, 1993
3. Amendments to the Agenda/Announcements
4. Public Comment
6. Report of the Access Coordinator
6. Report of the City Cable Commission
7. Report of the Educational Committee
8. Report of the Governmental Committee
9. Old Business
a. Amend policies and procedures based on understandings
reached at last meeting with Ray McCabe.
i. Access playback policies
ii. Access playback facilities reconfiguration [time-line]
iii. Formalizing promotion strategies
b. Discussion of status of 1993 expenditures for"capital PEG
access equipment replacement and expansion" [entertaining all
suggestions to move the process along].
c. Commercial content on access revisited [deferred from last three
meetings].
10. New Business
a. Plan to expand facility hours of operation: The Sway.
b. Plan for expansion of Access facilities at 612 W. Green St.
11. Set next meeting time &place/Adjourn
Nar
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