HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CABLECOMM-1989-10-12 Minutes of Ithaca Cable Commission Meeting
October 12. 1989
submitted by Richard Herskowitz
Present : Bill Demo, Richard Herskowitz , Tom Terrizzi , Chris
Heegard
Chairman's Report
Correspondence from Eric Fisher proposing that ACC return deposit
when signal boxes are returned. Normal wait is 6-8 weeks, Fisher
waited longer . Barbara Lukens mentioned that deposits are not in
an interest-bearing account , and that more information will be
provided at the next meeting.
Correspondence from Ralph Nash to Dick Booth recommending
deletion of the ban on political endorsements from the franchise .
John Grow, lawyer for the State Cable Commission , spoke to
Barbara Lukens on this matter . Herskowitz has written to the
Commission for their determination whether withdrawing the
language barring political advertisements ( language originally
required by the State Commission) is necessary, or whether the
Cable Commission's vote to reinterpret the language as not
barring endorsements, only political fundraising. is acceptable .
ACC Report
(attached)
Access Board Report
Controversy over Ben Nichols press conference . Barbara Lukens
said that she denied him use of the Access Studio because of
short notice , and that use of the studio might imply an ACC
endorsement .
Lukens said she will consider a policy on press conferences, and
solicit the Access Board's opinion .
Other Business--Senior Citizen's Discount
People on tax assessor's list getting discount retroactive to
March . Question raised: Does the assessor send updates to ACC?
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October 1989 Report to the Ithaca Cable Television Commission '
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* Letter from the Human Rights Commission indicating that rights •
have not been violated and that ACC 's policy is within the law. -
A copy of the letter was pr'`"ided to the commission. .
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* A copy of Barbara Luens ' response to Joyce . ordon 's complaint
regarding duplication of programming was given to the commission. ' `
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* ACC revised the contract for the loan of uecoders for the
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hearing impaired. Penalty for loss or damageG due to negligence .
were reduced from $500 to $189, ACC 's replacement cost.
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* We have looked at an extension to Stewart Park for the '
caretaker 's house. At present we are working w/ NYSEG to try to
reach it aerially. We may need an easement from the city to do . ,
this The only other alternative would be to bore under the RR
tracks. Whi1e4this can be done, it could tak/* as much as three '
months to obtain a permit to do the .bore. •
* ACC and its parent company have reviewed the rules for .
syndicated exclusivity (syndex ) and also 'or network non-
duplication. Because the rules are confusing ehere seems to be
as many opinions about how to comply as the number of people we
asked. It appears, however , that we may not ne ?d to blackout any
currently carried signals. We continue to .esearch this to •
' ensure that we remain in compliance w/ the FCC.
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* Senior discount - We have decided to offer the discount to
seniors regardless of the level of service they carry. This is a
departure from our position at the last meeting.
Seniors who are on the list provided ACC by the commission
are on the discount program effective March 1987.
Reference Mr. Nash 's letter to Janice Streb and Barbara Lukens.
ACC would agree to the following as a basis for qualification:
persons over 65 w/ household income not t.: exceed $12,025.
Qualification by the commission or the city would be acceptable .
to ACC as long as ACC retained the right to audit the procedure
as deemed necessary.
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