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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CABLECOMM-1992-12-08 city or Imam cane commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 8th,1 Present- Commission members: Maly Euell, Jim Ferwerda, Rick Gray, Peter Hess, Tom Terrizzi ACC:Ray McCabe Public Jim Blizzard 1.The Ithaca Cable Commission meeting was called to order at 735 pm 2. Chairs report: A. Peter's term as chair of the ICC is over in February,and the Commission needs to choose a new chair at its January meeting. Jim indicated that he might be willing to consider letting himself be nominated,but he wanted to talk about how some of the duties of the chair might be shared with other ICC members. At Jim's suggestion we put off further discussion until an executive session at the end of the meeting. B.The NYSCC has proposed new rules regarding itemization of subscriber bills, particularly regarding the way franchise fees are charged. This addresses one of our unresolved disagreements with ACC.The State Commission has also proposed new rules regarding imposition of late fees,credits,and charges for lost or damaged equipment. Peter will make copies of the proposed rules for interested ICC members. Rick noted that the deadline for initial comments on this rule-making is 1/4/93. C The new cable act will require franchising authorities to file for a certificate to regulate rates. Peter will investigate further to be sure that we take any steps necessary to allow us to continue to regulate rates. D. We introduced ourselves to Ray McCabe,the new General Manager of ACC,and he introduced himself. 4.As this was Ray's first day on the job,he had nothing to report 5. Public comment: Jim Blizzard said that the Four Seasons Greenhouse lease on 612 W. Green St.,where the Access Center is,is up in June or July,and ACC will need to know soon if that space is desired for expansion of the access facility. He gave several reasons why he felt additional space was needed,and said that he believed that ACC would be willing to consider rental of the space for access use. Jim Ferwerda questioned whether it would be proper to pay rent out of the access budget because that money is allocated for capital expenses and rent is not capital. Jim B.suggested there might be alternatives. Jim also cited the need for expanding the hours at the Access Center. He says that so far requests for this have been turned down because of the additional strain that would put on equipment. He noted the need for morning and afternoon hours to serve the needs of educational and government users for production and playback ACC is required by the franchise agreement to hire a new staff member early this year,and that would make scheduling additional hours more practical. s The Cable Commission agreed to consider resolutions expressing interest in expanded studio space and hours. Pete asked Rick if he could attempt to draft one concerning the need for expanded hours. Jim B.also reported on the progress toward creation of a Government Access Committee,and asked if the City could provide some funding for such things as postage. Peter noted the difficulty in finding surplus money in the city budget and asked Jim to put his request in writing so the Commission could forward it to the Mayor. 6.Access Advisory Board Report A The commission has previously objected to the use of IDs over character generated material on access channels by Tompkins County and Ithaca College which make it appear that the channel belonged to them,and has asked the Cable Access Advisory Board to address this. Rick reports that the County is now in conformance with our wishes. IC is not,but has not yet been formally contacted,which will be done. B.The CAAB and the Educational and Governmental Access Conmmitees have been discussing how to better promote the educational and governmental access channels. Because they are at the extreme end of the channel spectrum in an area far removed from other basic services,it is felt that many subscribers are not finding them. This is exacerbated by an offset which puts educational and governmental access programming one channel above(or below)the assigned channel for subscribers with older models of converter. The CAAB and the Educational and Governmental Access Committees will make suggestions about how to better promote access programming It was noted that the franchise agreement requires ACC to promote the access channels.(Sec.14.6 says"ACC shall ensure that the development and propagation of PEG access as a vital community resource" and requires ACC to advertise access programs in local newspapers and to provide each subscriber with information on availability of access channels.) C.ACC has made certain policy determinations regarding the government access channel, which the commission feels exceed their purview. It is the sense of the commission that,until a working Government Access Committee takes over policy oversight,the CAAB should have responsibility for setting policy on the government access channel. Ultimately the CAAB should have responsibility for coordinating areas of mutual concern between educational,governmental and public access interests. Jim F.suggested that a letter be sent to Lauren Stefanelli(Access Coordinator)and Ray McCabe to that effect. D.When IC and Cornell had a project for which they wanted to use an I-Net link,they found it was inoperative. Jim Loomis of IC and Dave Watkins of Cornell, members of the Educational Access Committee,will investigate, and this matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the committee. Jim F.asked for a diagram of the current topology of the I-Net. 7.Old business A Peter suggested that there be active and formal participation by the City in the Government Access Committee. Rick said that he has been going to all meetings as the de facto City representative. Peter will ask the Mayor to appoint a City representative to the committee. Rick said he was willing to be appointed. B.City Attorney Chuck Guttman does not feel it is necessary for the commission to pass a resolution opposing a variance to the noise ordinance for ACC as there is no consideration being given to such a variance at this time. C. There will be a public hearing on default proceedings against ACC at the Charter and Ordinance Committee meeting on December 10th(meeting was subsequently postponed to 12/17). 8. New Business The Commission passed the following resolution in support of preliminary steps toward the expansion of the access facility faality The City of Ithaca Cable Commission wishes to formally express its interest in expanding studio space for PEG access into the area of 612 W.Green St. currently occupied by Four Seasons Greenhouses and instructs the Cable Access Advisory Board to generate a plan for so doing. 9. The regular meeting was adjourned at about 9:20 pm -submitted by Peter Hess