HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CABLECOMM-1991-11-12 •
City of Ithaca Cable Commission
Minutes of November 12, 1991 meeting of (7:30 pm, City Hall)
Present: ICC: Jim Ferwerda, Peter Hess,Tom Terrizzi, Mary Euell;ACC: Barbara Lukens; Public:Bill McCormick,Jim
Blizzard
1. Call to order.
2. Minutes of October 1991 meeting reviewed and approved.
3. Public comment:
Jim Blizzard raised questions concerning the purpose and impact of ACC's copyright rules for access producers.
Wants clarification of how this rule controls the distribution of access-produced tapes with or without change to
cover cost of production. Peter Hess stated his understanding that copyright rules were established to prevent
commercial producers from using ACC facilities to produce video products for profit. Bill McCormick suggested
that allowing cost-recovery charges for tapes might improve production quality. Barbara Lukens will check with
ACC. ICC will attempt to clarify.
Bill McCormick suggested that ICC monitor the current reorganization of ACC's parent company for its impact on
the existing franchise and any opportunities for renegotiation.
Bill McCormick pointed out that there is currently little oportunity for public discussion of access issues and
suggested a monthly access show featuring ICC members and ACC representatives discussing issues, providing
information, and, via call-ins,taking consumer comments and questions. Bill also suggested cablecasting ICC
monthly meetings. For further consideration.
Bill also suggested that the city of Ithaca develop a telecommunications policy with specific goals based on the
city's diverse needs. He suggested a two-way system to increase educational access linked with the goals of
organizations like BOCES and the Ithaca School district. He suggests tha ICC initiate and facilitate discussion of
such a policy.
Bill also expressed his feelings about his personal experience with the CAAB and ACC regarding punitive
measures and the appeal process.
Jim Blizzard asked for clarification of ACC/Access disciplinary policies and definitions of"disruptive"behavior. He
expressed his strong feeling that any potential denial of access privileges should be based on clearly defined
rules. He suggested that ICC should require CAAB to immediately revise and clarify the policies and procedures
regarding the suspension of access rights and any disciplinary action.
4. ACC report: no report.
5. Public Comment:
Bill McCormick noted that there were many complaints regarding ACC's inability to broadcast a major Syracuse
football game (Pay Per View)which many subscribers had anticipated and paid for. He noted that subscribers
were unable to reach any ACC staff with complaints on the day of the event. Barbara Lukens stated there was no
way to be absolutely certain in advance whether the game could be picked up,that an ACC engineer was on site
ICC minutes(Nov. 12, 1991)
p.2
that day, and that refunds were given.
6. CAAB report:
Peter Hess reported on his and Tom's meeting with Barbara Lukens and Lauren Stefanelli regarding payment for
equipment for new access channels. A compromise proposal has been suggested and will be discussed further
by ACC and CAAB.
CAAB also discussed the possibility of establishing non-profit access management --discussion is ongoing.
Also addressed by CAAB was the issue of suspension of access privileges and other disciplinary sanctions
related to behavior problems and/or rule infractions. The discussion has been generated in large part in
response to Bill McCormick's suspension and loss of privileges. Jim Blizzard to form a committee to work on staff
and access user problems.
Barbara Lukens reported on status of the SCOLA project. Some delay regarding an INET drop at Cornell and
questions regarding who will assume the costs involved in the project. She will keep us posted.
7. Old business: none
8. New business: none
Minutes submitted by Mary Euell
November 20, 1991
Barbara Lukens, General Manager
American Community Cablevision
519 W. State St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Dear Barbara,
At the request of the Cable Commission, I am writing to review the particulars of
the agreement we sketched out at our November 10th meeting in your office. We
would also like to include in the agreement some general guidelines about capital
spending that will make this document applicable to future situations.
This is how we understand the agreement that we reached on 11/10:
The allocation of money already spent for the establishment of channels 53
and 54 will be as follows: ACC will pay for modulators and demodulators out
of non-access money,while VTRs will be paid for out of 2% access capital
funds.
The following is a more general formulation of a spending policy which is
consistent with the above. We would like to see this language included as part of
the agreement.
A. Equipment the function of which is to route or transmit cable
programming will be purchased out of non-access funds. This includes
modulators, demodulators, routing switchers, tone decoders, etc.
B. Equipment the function of which is to produce or playback access
programming will be paid for out of 2% access capital funds. This includes
production and playback VTRs,production switching equipment, cameras,
TB Cs,etc.
C. Costs of auxiliary items such as racks and monitors will be allocated
depending on whether they serve primarily to support
production/playback equipment or transmission/routing equipment.
I hope you and your management will find this formulation acceptable. Members of
the Cable Commission have reviewed it and have expressed agreement in principle,
but want the benefit of input from the Cable Access Advisory Board before
endorsing it. I plan to present these guidelines to the CAAB at our meeting on
December 2nd, and when I do I will express my belief that they offer a good and
reasonable resolution to our current impasse.
Sincerely,
Peter