HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-AOC-2021-04-06 1 MINUTES Access Oversight Committee (AOC) (as approved May 4, 2021) Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 5 PM
The AOC met by ZOOM Conferencing (thanks to Paulette Rosa, Clerk, Town of Ithaca). Present: chair Rich DePaolo, secretary Wayles Browne, Common Council liaison Rob Gearhart, vice chair Wies van Leuken; Access Studio Coordinator Lauren Stefanelli; employees of Charter: Mike Montesano (Sr. Manager, Programming, Charter
Communications), Lauren Kelly (Director of Government Affairs - Finger Lakes Region,
Charter Communications); member of the public Patrick Pinney. Excused: Gossa Tsegaye. 01. Call to Order by DePaolo 5:02.
02. Agenda Additions and/or Deletions: we add the “Budget Resolution” as 6b. 03. Public Comments: none.
04. Comments by AOC members: none.
05. Approval of Minutes of the March 2, 2021 Meeting: moved by Van Leuken, seconded by Gearhart, approved 4-0 without change.
06. Access Studio Coordinator Report.
The report was submitted in writing by M. Montesano in .pdf format and is attached to the minutes below. Stefanelli explains "Miscellaneous": the (City’s) Nexus does not have additional switchers built in: it only has 1 video/audio input. An additional switcher is needed for live studio shows. DePaolo asks: Had we been using the switcher
function? Stefanelli: Yes.
Montesano: we have to determine what specific item we need; there are 3 audio needs and one input. Gearhart: is there a quote in the report? Stefanelli: No. Van Leuken: A request to purchase the switcher is on the agenda at 7c. a. Charter’s Equipment Purchase Report for 2020
See p. 2 of Coordinator's Report. Of the 2020 Budget’s $10,000.00 contingency,
$5,049.00 was used to replace broken equipment. b. Charter's recommendations for 2022 Budget: Montesano will send these by April 30. Van Leuken: the Franchise Agreement (§15.12) requires Charter to provide budget recommendations by April 30th and the City Code requires that the AOC
forwards their recommendations to the Municipalities by May 31st (§18-4G). DePaolo:
we could adopt a resolution at our May 4 meeting. DePaolo asks Gearhart if this timeline will work for the City. Gearhart explains that the AOC’s resolution will first be reviewed by the City Administration Committee (4th Wednesday of the month = 26 May) before it’s voted on at Common Council's June meeting.
c. PEGASYS’ operations during the COVID-19 pandemic – update. DePaolo asks
Charter's position. L. Kelly: continues to monitor public facilities in Ithaca; they're still closed; I'll follow that. Gearhart: Yes, City Hall still not open exc. by appointment but Youth Bureau is open for certain programs. DePaolo asks Kelly: If the City wants to grant access to facility, would that trigger a review? Kelly: Yes; I hope for change soon; I
check the City's website daily, but feel free to let us know about changes.
Stefanelli: equipment is being signed out and programming is coming in as before. Old laptop users have mainly gotten their own machines by now.
2 d. Report on collected 2020 Subscriber Fees ($0.15/Mo/Subscriber). Van Leuken: we got the figures from Kelly, but would prefer it in the format previously used
that gave us the final balance available for equipment purchases. We have our own
figures but would like verification from Charter. Stefanelli: has sent a sample of the format to Kelly. Kelly promises to get the 2020 numbers in the old format (showing a reconciliation of expenses and final balance). e. Review Requirements of Franchise Agreement Section 15.9- report.
Van Leuken: this refers to compliance by Charter with the requirement to provide
subscribers with info about PEG. Kelly: the text has been submitted to the printer and will be similar to the one used in Connecticut. It will be an annual notification. DePaolo: When will it be distributed? Kelly: I do not know; this is a first for me. DePaolo: We'll keep this on the agenda.
f. Review Patrick Pinney proposal to stream Channel 13 - update. Kelly: I do not
need a resolution but would like the AOC to provide me with a formal proposal on letterhead. Browne refers to Charter’s earlier requests and notes that the AOC is sending the written proposal to Charter as part of the March 2 minutes. DePaolo: I will formalize it and mail it to you with a reference that all AOC members are in favor of the
proposal. Pinney: sorry I couldn't be here last month (due to technology failure). I
proposed that Jim Blizzard put the Public Access channel onto YouTube; Jim is ready to do it and has the equipment for it. No expenses or manpower is needed, just permission for him to do it.
07. Member Reports
a. AOC’s 2020 Equipment Purchase Report to City This report is attached as part of Montesano's report; see “2020 Equipment Purchase Report” below. AOC places this in the Minutes to comply with requirements of the Franchise Agreement.
b. Release of Producer’s Contact Information – Resolution
A resolution to make only e-mail addresses of producer’s public, not other contact information, was moved by Browne, seconded by Gearhart. Resolution to amend Section VIII of the Policies and Procedures Manual
WHEREAS, the current Policies and Procedures Manual (“Manual") for the PEGASYS Community Media Center (“PEGASYS”) was approved by the Access Oversight Committee (“AOC”) on January 5, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the AOC wishes to amend the PEGASYS Public Access Cablecast
Agreement (“Agreement”) included in Section VIII of the Manual; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the AOC approves amending the Manual’s Agreement as described further in the attached document.
3 PEGASYS Public, Educational & Governmental Access System
mail 519 W State St.; studio 612 West Green Street, Ithaca, NY 14850; tel.: 607-272-7272 fax: 607-274-5404
PEGASYS Public Access Cablecast Agreement
Program Title _____________________________________________________
Length: ___: ___: ___ Format: ________ Local / Syndicated [circle one]
Series? Yes / No [circle one] Series frequency: Weekly Bi-weekly Monthly Check here if the show may include indecent content ____ [scheduled 10pm-6am only] Producer/Provider Name: _______________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________
Phone: ______________________ e-mail: _____________________________
Please read the Agreement carefully and sign below: I hereby request that Charter Communications, Inc. (”Charter”) cablecast this Program or Program
Series on the public access channel. I assume sole legal responsibility for all Program contents. I
have obtained all necessary approvals, clearances and licenses for all material included in the Program(s). I attest that the Program(s) contain no material which is commercial, obscene or otherwise illegal, as described in the PEGASYS Policies and Procedures Manual (“the Manual”) and by law. I understand that I may be held criminally or civilly liable for such content appearing in the
Program(s). I authorize Charter to make available my Email information to members of the public
who make inquiries about the Program(s). I have read and understood the Manual regarding cablecast rights and obligations, and agree to abide by them. I understand that failure to follow the Manual may result in Charter’s refusal to cablecast
the Programs and/or restriction of my right to submit additional programming. I understand that in
the case of programming produced through the facilities of the PEGASYS Community Media Center, failure to follow the Manual in the creation of these programs may result in suspension of my access privileges. I also understand that submitting commercial programming for cablecast on public access channels will result in the suspension of my access privileges for up to six months. My
signature hereupon shall indicate my acceptance of these responsibilities. I have read all the
forgoing, and understand its provisions as they apply to me and the Program(s). ____________________________________________ _________________ Signature of Producer/Provider Date
4 Montesano (reads from the section of New York State law that pertains to this matter): NYS law requires Charter to keep a record of users and make it available for public
inspection for a minimum of 2 years. [Text of Section 895.4. ... 16 CRR-NY 895.4 (c)(10) “The entity responsible for the administration of a public access channel shall maintain a record of the
use of such channel which shall include the names and addresses of all persons using or requesting the use of any such channel and which record shall be available for public inspection for a minimum of two years.”] DePaolo: I don't know which law supersedes which. The AOC agreed to wait for Charter’s legal review and then consult with the City Clerk. The Resolution was
tabled till next month. DePaolo will forward the text.
c. Request for 2021 Budget. See also item 6 above. Van Leuken: If we want to purchase a switcher for the Nexus, we could do so with the 2020 Budget contingency of $20,000. She proposed a resolution, which was moved by DePaolo, seconded by Browne.
Use of AOC's 2021 Budget Contingency WHEREAS, the Access Oversight Committee (AOC)’s 2021 Budget includes a $20,000.00 contingency to purchase equipment as needed for the functioning of Public,
Educational and Governmental access operations (PEG; and
WHEREAS this budget was subsequently approved by the participating municipalities (City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Village of Cayuga Heights); and
WHEREAS, cablecasting live shows from the PEGASYS studio requires that the
PEGASYS Nexus be equipped with a compatible switcher; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the AOC approves the use of the 2021 Budget Contingency for the purchase of said switcher, in technical consultation with the
Access Coordinator and AOC, in an amount not to exceed $TBD.
DePaolo: Is this something that is iNet equipment and might be Charter's responsibility, or is it only for the studio? Montesano: It's a hybrid that might be used for both.
DePaolo: So it's still part of the outstanding issue between AOC and Charter.
Van Leuken: This is the only way that producers will be able to do live shows. DePaolo: thinks it's premature to allocate our capital budget before we get a solution to the dispute. Gearhart agrees. DePaolo withdraws the resolution till next month.
d. Charter disclaimer bookending public access programs.
AOC: we made ourselves clear last month that the disclaimers should be removed. DePaolo: any new developments? Kelly: no updates; you can see why Charter wants to state that it's not Charter's opinion. Browne: A disclaimer used to run on the bulletin board, not on any individual producer's show; that would be OK with me. DePaolo: producers are on the hook
for being responsible for the content of their programs; it purports to be a solution to a
problem that doesn't exist. Van Leuken moves a resolution requesting the disclaimer’s removal; seconded by Browne:
5 Discontinue Charter Communications’ Disclaimer on Channel 13
WHEREAS, Public, Educational and Governmental (“PEG”) Access Television was created to provide a public free speech forum; and WHEREAS, Federal Cable and Telecommunications Acts permit local governments to
require local cable operators such as Charter Communications, Inc. d/b/a Spectrum in
New York State, (“Charter”) to provide channel space (“Access Channels”) for Public, Educational and Government; and WHEREAS, in accordance with national, state and local regulations, Charter and
municipalities may not exercise editorial control of program content on Access Channels, except to prohibit commercial or obscene programming; and WHEREAS, the City’s 2003 Franchise Agreement (“Franchise Agreement”) and Chapter 18 of the Code of the City of Ithaca gives the Access Oversight Committee (AOC) the
authority to make rules for PEG Access in Tompkins County; and
WHEREAS, Charter in recent months has posted the attached disclaimer, which runs for 15 seconds before and after each program, or, if there is no available time between programs, will run as soon as there is time available; and
WHEREAS, neither national, state and local regulations nor the Franchise Agreement allow Charter to insert programming on the Access Channels at its own initiative or otherwise, and
WHEREAS, the AOC has made repeated requests for this disclaimer to be removed, as
recorded in AOC minutes, to no avail, and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the AOC formally requests that Charter removes the attached disclaimer from Channel 13, effective immediately.
The resolution passes unanimously, 4-0. Kelly: I will take this to my bosses. DePaolo asks for a citation that gives Charter authority to run such a disclaimer.
e. Charter’s PEG Rules and Guidelines document. Montesano discusses the “Ithaca Policies and Procedures Comparison” document that he had mailed to the AOC prior to the meeting (see attachment). This is a summary of
6 the differences between Charter’s “Public, Educational & Government Access Rules and Guidelines” and PEGASYS” Policies and Procedures Manual” currently in use.
Montesano lists the changes Charter is proposing.
DePaolo notes that Charter requires more forms and asks: was there something in Ithaca’s procedures that was lacking or not working that needs to be improved? Montesano: nothing jumped out – just offering suggestions to bring in specifics. The forms are made to conform to other PEG stations. It will take little extra time and will
help us keep track of studio usage. It is important for us to know that.
Stefanelli is asked if all this information is now being compiled or if there will be additional work involved for producers. Stefanelli: there are 3 forms that would have to be completed by the producer that are not used now. Montesano: it will be a big help to us in keeping track of how much the studio is used.
Van Leuken: the PEGASYS manual had a thorough review just last year; the
Committee went over it line by line; it seems to be a good working document. As a producer I note that the Charter manual has more restrictions and requires more paperwork. DePaolo asks about these restrictions; Van Leuken cites the limitations and paperwork required for making reservations as an example.
Montesano: These are suggestions; they work well in other places. When we get more
specific, it benefits the committee and the public. DePaolo asks Stefanelli. Stefanelli: it’s a different system. DePaolo asks about the terminology "PEGASYS/Charter Communications"; what does this refer to? Montesano: PEGASYS as in the current document. DePaolo: wants to
make sure AOC's oversight authority is maintained. Montesano: would you prefer
"AOC/Charter" vs. "PEG/Charter"? DePaolo: "PEG" isn't oversight; AOC is. Gearhart: appreciates suggestions from Charter, but it's our document. DePaolo: let's leave it for next month. Montesano: willing to give explanations to anyone who has concerns. Van Leuken: I read Charter’s document several times looking for
rules that would improve PEGASYS – but I couldn't find any that would make things
better for the studio or producers. DePaolo asks Van Leuken to summarize her notes for the next meeting. Gearhart: Without comparing, we'll be stuck in this process for a long time. DePaolo again asks what problems the current system has; "I appreciate the amount of time you have put in, but let me know what problems you can identify. We'll
review it next month and then make a determination."
f. Charter’s Used Equipment Donation Agreement for crashed Nexus. DePaolo: Charter did accept our modified text. Browne: let's vote to give DePaolo authority to sign it. Van Leuken is against using the document because we accepted the City's Nexus without
paperwork, we've already approved giving our old broken one away and by signing we
accept that Charter decides the use of equipment. DePaolo explains that the revised document returns that authority to the AOC; the document now indemnifies all parties and leaves the AOC in charge. A resolution was moved by Browne, seconded by Gearhart:
Resolution Access Oversight Committee (AOC) Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Used Equipment Donation Agreement – Leightronix Nexus
7 WHEREAS Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”), forwarded their “Used Equipment
Donation Agreement” (Agreement) to the Access Oversight Committee (AOC) for the
disposition of the PEGASYS’s Playback System (“Nexus”) that crashed on May 6, 2020; and WHEREAS, Section 15.3 - 2 of the Franchise Agreement states that Participating
Municipalities shall approve the use of Public, Educational and Governmental (“PEG”)
access equipment; and WHEREAS the AOC proposed an amendment to the Agreement to reflect the AOC’s responsibilities for PEG equipment; and
WHEREAS, the AOC resolved per resolution at their regular meeting of January 5, 2021, that the crashed PEGASYS Nexus be donated to the technical staff of the Governmental Channel; and
NOW BE IT RESOLVED that the AOC approves the attached amended Agreement,
AND NOW BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the AOC, authorizes and directs its Chair to sign the attached document.
8
USED EQUIPMENT DONATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made effective as of the date executed by both parties ("Effective
Date"), and is between Charter Communications ("Transferor"), as authorized by Access Oversight Committee, and
the undersigned individual or entity ("Transferee"), under the following circumstances:
Transferor and Transferee agree as follows:
Section 1. Removal of Equipment
1.1 At a mutually acceptable time and date, but not later than 30 days after the Effective Date, Transferee will, at
Transferee's sole cost and expense, remove the equipment identified in Exhibit A to this Agreement ("Equipment")
from Transferor's offices at the address listed on the exhibit (the "Site").
1.2 The sole consideration to benefit Transferor as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be the convenience of having the Equipment removed from the Site. No monetary consideration shall be due
to Transferor under the terms of this Agreement.
1.3 Effective upon Transferee's removal of the Equipment from the Site, Transferor, as authorized by Access
Oversight Committee, hereby transfers, assigns and conveys to Transferee all interest in and to the Equipment.
Section 2. Disclaimer of Warranties; Limitation of Liability.
2.1 The equipment will be conveyed to transferee” as is.” Transferor and Access Oversight Committee make no
warranties, express or implied, whether of title, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose or use or
otherwise, on the equipment.
2.2 Under no circumstances will transferor, transferee, Access Oversight Committee and/or its affiliated
municipalities be liable to any other party to this agreement for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or
consequential damages arising out of or related to this agreement or the equipment.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Charter Communications TRANSFEREE:
By: ______________________ Name, or entity: ___________________________
Date: ____________________ Street Address: ____________________________
_________________________ ____________________________
Authorized Signatory Authorized Signatory
Access Oversight Committee
By: Rich DePaolo
Date: 4/6/2021
_____________________________ Authorized Signatory
9
EXHIBIT A EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE
SITE LOCATION
612 W. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
Leightronix Nexus SD 2 channel playback server.
PURPOSE
(Please describe how the equipment will be utilized) Leightronix Nexus playback server is being donated to the technical staff of the Ithaca, NY Government Access
channel. If they are able to make it functional, the server will be utilized as a playback device for programming on the Government Access Channel from one of their I-NET locations.
Passed unanimously, 4-0. g. Publicity and Outreach - International programs. For next month. h. Bulletin Board, TBA and Archive Programs. For next month’s agenda.
08. Old Business a. Franchise Agreement. DePaolo got a draft of the Franchise; will review it. Some items that were previously negotiated with Time Warner Cable are not included in it. More next month. b Franchise agreement non-compliance letter. Waiting for consultation with City
Attorney. Keep on agenda. c. Inclusion of PEG Channels on Spectrum App. Kelly: no reports. d. I-Net “end equipment” maintenance cost shift. DePaolo: will be in the non-compliance letter.
09. New Business: none. 10. Next meeting: May 4, 2021, 5 pm. 11. Adjournment 7:11.
================ Authority: City of Ithaca code Chapter 18, "Cable Access Oversight Committee". Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca 11-5-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-17. Available at https://ecode360.com/8386207. Contact information for AOC members: City of Ithaca: Wayles Browne, secretary <ewb2@cornell.edu>. City of Ithaca: Rob Gearhart, Common Council liaison 2019- <rgearhart@cityofithaca.org>. City of Ithaca: member Gossa Tsegaye <gossavision@twcny.rr.com>, <tsegaye@ithaca.edu>. Town of Ithaca: Rich DePaolo, chair <rd@richdepaolo.com>, <RDePaolo@town.ithaca.ny.us>. Village of Cayuga Heights: Wies van Leuken, vice chair <pmv4@cornell.edu>. Web site for the PEGASYS Community Media Center studio, with program schedules: https://pegasys.webstarts.com/index.html studio location: 612 West Green Street, Ithaca, New York mailing address: 519 West State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 phone (607) 272-7272 fax (607) 277-5404 PEGASYS staff: studio manager Lauren Stefanelli Lauren.Stefanelli@charter.com
10
Charter
COMMUNICATIONS
Lauren Stefanelli
PEG Coordinator
Access Oversight Committee Meeting
PEG Coordinator Report 4/06/2021
Equipment Maintenance/Repair Issues:
None at this time.
Equipment Recommendations:
There are no new recommendations this month.
PEG Rules and Guidelines:
A document making suggestions to update the current Policies and Procedures manual was submitted
to the Access Oversight Committee.
Cablecast Common Council/Other Meetings Monthly Summary:
03/03- Ithaca Common Council Meeting- Prepared for playback on Gov. Access Channel by Charter
staff.
03/10- Ithaca Committee of the Whole Meeting- Prepared for playback on Gov. Access Channel by
Charter staff.
03/17- Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting- Prepared for playback on Gov.
Access Channel by Charter staff.
03/24- City Administrator Committee Meeting- Prepared for playback on Gov. Access Channel by
Charter staff.
3/31- Committee of the Whole Meeting- Prepared for playback on Gov. Access Channel by Charter
staff.
Miscellaneous:
The UltraNexus playback device has 1 analog audio input. WRFI is utilizing that input. Both control
rooms utilize analog audio outputs. It is not possible to produce live programming from either control
room with the limitation of the UltraNexus. Access users can still create taped programming from both
control rooms.
519 W. State St. | Ithaca, NY 14850 P (607) 272-7272 Lauren.Stefanelli@charter.com
11
Charter
COMMUNICATIONS
Lauren Stefanelli
PEG Coordinator
Non-Resident Summary:
Current balance for PEG Usage Fees as of March 30, 2021 is $519.00.
PEGASYS Fees Report
Name Municipality Date of
Membership
Amount Total
2020 Total $479.00
Andy Finkle Dryden January, 2021-
June, 2021
$20.00 $20.00
Ndjombe Titi Newfield January, 2021-
June, 2021
$20.00 $20.00
Current Total $519.00
2020 Equipment Purchase Report Ithaca 2020 Equipment Purchase Report
Vendor Quantity Item Individual Cost Total
B&H Photo Video 3 MSI Creator Computers i7/15"
Screen
$1,589.00 $4,767.00
B&H Photo Video 3 Adobe Premiere Elements
Software
$94.00 $282.00
Total $5,049.00
12 Charter
COMMUNICATIONS
Ithaca Policies and Procedures Comparison Document
The following are Charter Communications recommendations for updating the current Ithaca
Policies and Procedures Manual.
1. Updating paperwork:
a. The Application for Airtime form on Page 16 of Charter’s Rules and Guidelines document would
replace the PEGASYS Public Cablecast Agreement. This form would only need to be filled out 1 time
per year.
b. The Access User Agreement on Page 17 would replace the PEGASYS Producer Responsibility
Contract. This document would only need to be filled out 1 time per year.
c. The Access Training Course Application on Page 18 would replace the Training Request Form. This
document would only need to be filled out 1 time.
d. The Studio Application form on Page 19 would need to be filled out by the sponsor each time
they requested use of the studio.
e. The Editing Application form on Page 20 would need to be filled out by the sponsor each time
they requested use of an edit system.
f. The Portable Field Production Equipment Application on Pages 21 and 22 would need to be filled
out by the sponsor each time they requested use of field equipment.
g. The Release and Acknowledgment of Liability Form on Page 23 would need to be filled out by
each Public Access User. This would only need to be filled out 1 time.
h. The Access Programming Personal Release Form on Page 24 would replace the PEGASYS Talent
Release form.
All paperwork can be emailed to Access Users in advance.
2. Access Programming time is reserved on a first-come, first-served, non-discriminatory basis for
a maximum of fifty-two (52) weeks. PEGASYS/Charter Communications Annual Calendar consists
of a fifty-two (52) week period that run as follows:
April 1 – March 31
*In the event that a proper application is made during the course of a current session, an Access
User may reserve the remaining window of the fifty-two (52) week period.
The current PEGASYS calendar runs from January 1- December 31.
3. In the event PEGASYS / Charter Communications believes that a program submitted contains
material prohibited pursuant to Federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations PEGASYS /
Charter Communications shall notify Applicant, who may edit such program to no longer include
such material or withdraw the program. PEGASYS / Charter Communications will not edit any
program. [Section 3i; p8] If the coordinator notices a show contains questionable content, they
should notify their supervisor before reaching out to the access user.
4. Shows are requested to be delivered five (5) business days before the requested telecast date
and time. When the first show is delivered, no more than four (4) shows may be submitted.
[Section 4e; p9]. Charter requests 5 business days to allow for proactive scheduling of the channel.
13 Currently PEGASYS requests shows be delivered 1 day in advance and no restriction on the
number of episodes delivered.
5. PEGASYS / Charter Communications recommends that each edition of a program run a
maximum of four times so that the access channels will present variety and maintain viewer
interest. [Section 5c; p9]. Currently PEGASYS allows up to 6 airings of a program.
6. In order to accommodate all Access Users, PEGASYS / Charter Communications reserves the
right to limit each Access producer to one program per contract period. [Section 5d; p9]
This allows fair and equitable distribution of airtime to all community members.
7. The following technical standards are encouraged, and may be required at the station’s
discretion, in order to communicate your program’s message or viewpoint:
Apply brief credits (title, producer) at the beginning of each program. Include more
comprehensive credits (camera, audio, etc.) at the end of the program. Currently PEGASYS
requires the producer name in an end credit.
Please make sure your show file follows this title format for weekly shows; the full name of
the show, underscore then date. [Example: NatureConnections_1-15-21] This will help the PEG
Coordinator keep show submissions organized.
For monthly shows the full name of the show and the first three letters on the month and year it
will air. [Example: NatureConnections_JAN21] Absolutely NO spaces in the titles. [Section 6b;
p10] This will help the PEG Coordinator keep show submissions organized.
8. At least seven (7) days in advance of the desired time and date of the use of the Production
Facilities, an Applicant must submit a Studio, Edit or Portable Field Production
Equipment form. [Section 7d; p11] This allows the PEG Coordinator to proactively schedule facility
time. Currently PEGASYS allows reservations to be made at any time if there is availability.
9. Prior to Production Facility usage, the following must be filed with PEGASYS / Charter
Communications: a) a Studio Application, an Application for Air Time and Access User Agreement;
and b) Current proof of residency (permanent domicile) within the PEGASYS / Charter
Communications franchise area. [Section 8c; p11] The studio application would be filled out each
time a request to use the facility is submitted. The Application for Airtime and Access User
Agreement only need to be filled out one time per year. A copy of Proof of Residency is needed to
confirm Access Users live within the franchise.
10. Production Facilities are reserved by the Access Producer for a specific time period, not by
project. [Section 8b; p11] Facilities are reserved by time slots for a specific program. This allows fair
use of equipment by multiple users. Currently PEGASYS production facilities are reserved by project
for a specific period of time.
11. Access Users may utilize the Production Facilities for the production of Access Programming.
While the Production Facilities are here and available for this purpose, no other PEGASYS /
Charter Communications facilities may be used without the express consent of the company,
including but not limited to all office equipment and machinery, such as copy machines,
telephones, computers, and desk items (pens, pencils, staplers, tape, etc.). [Section 8d; p11-12]
The office area is for employees only. Reasonable assistance will be provided to Access Users.
12. Please make other arrangements for the care and supervision of children and animals, since
14 they may not join you in the access area. Users are asked not to bring minor children to any
training, studio, or editing sessions. [Section 8g; p12] The PEG facility is for people who are making
productions. Having children and animals in the building who are not guests on a show will create
distractions for others who are working on their own shows.
13. Wherever possible and in order to maximize the availability of PEGASYS / Charter
Communications studio, pre-production meetings and planning sessions should take place
outside of the PEGASYS / Charter Communications studio and prior to the scheduled use of the
studio. [Section 9d; p12]. The role of the coordinator is to oversee the facility and the equipment.
Currently PEGASYS allows production meetings to take place in their facility.
14. Studio time can be reserved for productions by submitting a Studio Application at least seven
(7) days in advance. Applicants can reserve 2 non-consecutive 4 hour sessions per week may be
booked at any given time with a maximum of 12 hours per week. [Section 9b; p12]
Specific timeframes are put down to provide fair use of equipment and to allow Access Users more
availability to the facilities. Currently PEGASYS allows reservations to be made at any time if there is
availability.
15. Edit time can be reserved for productions by submitting an Edit Application at least seven (7)
days in advance. Applicants can reserve 2 non-consecutive 4 hour sessions per week may be
booked at any given time with a maximum of 12 hours per week. [Section 10b; p13] Specific
timeframes are put down to provide fair use of equipment and to allow Access Users more
availability to the facilities. Currently PEGASYS allows reservations to be made at any time if there is
availability.
16. Time can be reserved for signing out portable field production equipment by submitting a
Portable Field Production Equipment Application at least seven (7) days in advance. Applicants
may book equipment for a maximum of two (2) non-consecutive 24-hour periods. Units taken out
on Fridays (or before holidays) must be returned the following business day. [Section 11b; p13-
14] Specific timeframes are put down to provide fair use of equipment and to allow Access Users
more availability to the facilities. Currently PEGASYS has 2 day sign-outs, Thursday-Monday since
there are no Friday hours. Extensions of an additional day are granted if requested and no other
producer has asked for the equipment.
17. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. [Section 13; pg14] Currently PEGASYS allows
minors above the age of 14 to assist with productions when an adult takes legal responsibility.
18. All studio participants (including crew, talent, guests, and visitors) must enter the building
from the front door and must sign in with building security, where applicable, prior to
commencing studio operations. The crew log-in sheet must be complete before studio production
begins. [Section 9c; pg12] This is required for security purposes. Currently PEGASYS does not
require a sign in form.
19. Only producers and editors directly involved with an editing project may be present in the
editing room, and no more than two (2) at any one time. No others can be admitted to the editing
area by producers working in the editing room or studio. [Section 10d; pg13] The PEG facility is for
people who are making productions.
15
20. ACCESS PRIVILEGE SUSPENSION GUIDELINES (p15)
These are guidelines. It is the responsibility of the coordinator to bring any issues forward.