HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-AOC-2021-05-04 1 MINUTES Access Oversight Committee (AOC) (as approved June 1, 2021) Tuesday, May 4, 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, Gossa Tsegaye; 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); members of the public Patrick Pinney, Will Metro, Jim Blizzard. 01. Call to Order by DePaolo 5:01. The meeting was recorded.
02. Agenda Additions and/or Deletions: none. 03. Public Comments. Jim Blizzard: a friend wanted to do a live program, but couldn’t because the studio is
closed. I have a video decoder at my County office. If PEGASYS had such a decoder
hooked up to the Nexus then my friend could do a live show using an encoder from places like the Commons using the internet by way of a Wi-Fi connection. DePaolo: What would this cost? Blizzard: about a thousand dollars. DePaolo: Please send us a sample of how you’ve used it and the name of the equipment. Even after the studio
reopens, this equipment could be valuable for doing remotes. Blizzard will do so.
Montesano: How do you connect it to the Nexus? Blizzard: at the County I plug it into the switcher. Stefanelli: to use it at PEGASYS, we would have to buy an additional switcher. Blizzard: If you have an old Panasonic switcher, that could be used. Montesano: But we are closed in the weekend so it must be an automated system.
Blizzard: Could you research this? Montesano: Please give me specs and programs
made this way. 04. Comments by AOC members: Van Leuken asks about the SDI video converter that DePaolo ordered. DePaolo: The
equipment (AJA Video Model D4E Serial Digital Encoder) was delivered to the studio on
April 22. He asked Montesano and Kelly: where in the process are we? Montesano: it is still in the box in the studio. We will need a written request from the AOC to have it installed; from there we can continue with the process. DePaolo: you have been informed already, why this extra process?
Kelly: we want a consistent process. The AOC must bring such matters to Montesano's
attention. DePaolo: So Stefanelli isn't the liaison with Charter? How does it help to route requests through you? Montesano: It's for consistency; also Stefanelli may not always know who to turn to. DePaolo: I will make a formal request that the equipment be installed ASAP. Tsegaye asks: Does Charter want a letter, or is there a form to fill
out? Montesano: No form, just a request in writing.
[See attached e-mails for the request and response.] 05. Approval of Minutes of the April 6, 2021 Meeting. Gearhart moved and van Leuken seconded a resolution to approve the minutes. They
were approved as submitted 4-0-1 with Tsegaye abstaining due to his absence from the
last meeting. Gearhart thanked Browne for the quality of the minutes.
2 06. Access Studio Coordinator Report. The report was submitted in writing by M. Montesano in .pdf format and is attached to
the minutes below.
a. Charter's Maintenance and Repair Report: the SDI converter has failed. See item 4 above.
b. Charter's recommendations for 2022 Budget:
The budget proposal (see attachment) was submitted by Montesano. DePaolo thanks Montesano for the recommendations. DePaolo: the proposal seems to follow the proposal that was made last year to replace the playback system (Nexus). That proposal is still subject to an ongoing cost sharing dispute. Until an agreement is
reached, we should not approve this budget, but consider a contingency budget as a
place-holder. Van Leuken has questions about some items. Line 3, Analog to SDI converters: why do we need 4? Montesano: Each studio (regular and mini) needs its own. The vendor's
engineer came and looked at the studios with Stefanelli and me; we need 4.
Van Leuken on Line 4: why do we need 3 SDI-Analog converters? Montesano: doesn't know exactly where these would be; can check with the vendor. DePaolo: are these the same as the SDI to Analog converter that just failed, and for which I got a replacement more cheaply? Van Leuken and DePaolo ask Montesano if
he could provide a paragraph explaining the need for the separate line items.
Montesano: I will reach out to vendors for descriptions. DePaolo: another question: when we shift to High Definition, will this listed equipment be obsolete? To Stefanelli: Can we produce HD programs from the studio? Stefanelli: Yes. But at present it's down-converted to Standard Definition before playback. The
mini-studio is still SD and analog.
AOC members ask Montesano about Leightronix’ customer service, technical support and warrantee vs. customer care agreement. DePaolo: Absent a customer care agreement, is there no customer support? Montesano: I have to look into that.
Leightronix is good with keeping their customers happy. The equipment is under
warranty – but I will talk to the vendor about the AOC not wanting a customer care agreement for Years 1 and 2. DePaolo: Doesn't the franchise agreement put the responsibility for maintenance on Charter?
DePaolo: How do we bring this matter to our municipalities? The last few years we've
submitted contingency budgets. We have not much time before the end of June when Charter must be notified of the budget. Van Leuken: the balance available for equipment as of Dec. 31, 2020 is $43,855.49.
DePaolo asks Kelly for confirmation of this number. Kelly: has just requested the
number from Charter's finance department; will share it by e-mail. [Kelly leaves the meeting.] Van Leuken moved and Browne seconded the contingency budget resolution.
AOC Recommendations for 2022 Budget
3 WHEREAS, Section 15.12 of the Franchise Agreement of January 2003 between the City of Ithaca and the franchisee Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse
Partnership (TWC) (“Franchise Agreement”), subsequently assigned to Charter
Communications, Inc. d/b/a Spectrum Networks (Charter) after Charter's 2016 acquisition of TWC, requires the participating municipalities (City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Village of Cayuga Heights) to provide the franchisee with an annual written budget for Public, Educational and Governmental access operations (PEG) by June 30
of each calendar year; and
WHEREAS, Section 15.12 of the Franchise Agreement requires that PEG Access Staff provide the Access Oversight Committee (AOC) with budget recommendations for the following year by April 30; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca's Ordinance #2003-17, Par 18-4-G, requires the Access Oversight Committee (AOC) to provide the Participating Municipalities with a recommended budget for the following year by May 31; and
WHEREAS, the Franchise Agreement authorizes Charter to collect $0.15 per subscriber
per month to be used for the purchase of PEG equipment; and WHEREAS, the AOC has reviewed PEG’s current equipment and anticipates that new or replacement equipment might be needed;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the AOC recommends earmarking up to $30,000 as contingency to purchase equipment as needed for the functioning of PEG operations, and
NOW, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the AOC forwards its recommendations for
approval by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca Board and the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees, so that they may meet their obligation to provide Charter Communications with an annual written budget for Public, Educational and Governmental access operations no later than June 30, 2021.
The resolution was approved 5-0. Gearhart, DePaolo and van Leuken will take the resolution to their respective municipalities for their vote. DePaolo will forward the resolution to Browne and Gearhart.
c. PEGASYS’ operations during the COVID-19 pandemic – update.
Gearhart: Ithaca City Hall is still closed to the public except by appointment, but may open soon. Stefanelli: A producer has contacted me asking when the studio will open. Montesano: no other studios in our area are open. We continue to monitor the City's guidance daily. DePaolo: New York State's guidelines already say media studios could
be open under some conditions. Van Leuken: PEGASYS could open up for vaccinated
persons. Montesano: status quo for the time being. Gearhart: Some City facilities are open, like the Youth Bureau, but not yet public meetings. But City staff has been working in City facilities throughout the pandemic. Tsegaye: the City has opened some services, e.g. restaurants.
Montesano: We've been making equipment available for check-out all along.
DePaolo asks Gearhart: Could Common Council pass a resolution asking for the studio to be open? Montesano: That's something Kelly and I would have to look at. DePaolo:
4 City Hall being closed or open to hundreds of people is not a good barometer for PEGASYS to allow one or two persons to use its facilities.
Gearhart: We can compare other sorts of facilities that the State is opening. Browne:
PEGASYS could open while insisting on vaccinations and masks. DePaolo to Mike: the AOC thinks that the PEGASYS facility should re-open. d. Final balance of collected 2020 Subscriber Fees ($0.15/Mo/Subscriber): Report.
Kelly will Email this information. See 6b above.
e. Charter's Compliance with Franchise Agreement Section 15.9- report. No report. This section requires informing subscribers about the availability of PEG. DePaolo: seemingly there won't be an announcement on Charter's bills till the first of the
year?
f. Review Patrick Pinney proposal to stream Channel 13 - report. See attachment for DePaolo’s formal request. Montesano: Jim Blizzard and I spoke last week. We're OK with Jim hooking up a capture device for streaming; we wouldn't be involved. DePaolo
to Pinney: You're willing to work with Jim on this? Pinney: Yes! Tsegaye: Jim is a
wonderful resource. He used to do a show "Common Sense from the Commons"; maybe Pinney could reinstate that. g. Release of Producer's Contact Information - report.
Did Charter's legal team look at that? Montesano: Kelly needs to be asked (next time).
07. Member Reports a. AOC’s 2022 budget recommendations. See Resolution under 6b.
b. Request for 2021 Budget – Resolution.
The AOC discussed the need for an additional switcher for the Nexus to allow cablecasting live shows from the PEGASYS studio. DePaolo: Is the switcher the same as Item 2 on Charter’s 2022 budget recommendation? Montesano: Yes. It would be $1,623 if bought this year, $1,785 expected price for next year. It is usable with the
present or the future Nexus. DePaolo: Is this also an iNet piece of equipment or only a
studio piece? Montesano: Definitely studio; maybe iNet as well, we'd have to ask the vendors' engineer. DePaolo: So if we could reach an understanding on retroactive reconciliation of cost sharing, how should we proceed now without setting a precedent? Gearhart: I concur with decisions that will make the facility functional. Stefanelli: Before
the pandemic, 4 live shows were produced each week. DePaolo suggests postponing a
decision till the next meeting. c. Charter's Used Equipment Donation Agreement - Report. DePaolo: I signed the agreement. Montesano: I signed off on it too yesterday; now we
only need Jim Blizzard to sign it. Stefanelli will forward Jim's contact info to Montesano.
d. Release of Producers' Contact Information: for next time, see 6g. e. Charter's disclaimer bookending public access programs - follow-up.
Montesano: Kelly got information from the legal department. She will mail out a memo
to AOC tonight. DePaolo asks Montesano to discontinue the disclaimer in the meantime until Charter can show it has authority, but Montesano can't say he will. DePaolo: It's
5 still an instance of Charter adding editorial messaging. AOC: agrees. Tsegaye: wants to know how we can consult the City Attorney. Gearhart: the Attorney's office is short
one member; we are not ignored, but they are overloaded. Tsegaye wonders if AOC
can get pro bono legal advice. DePaolo: our 'noncompliance' letter is waiting in the City Attorney's office now; I pressed them today for a review in a few days. f. Charter's PEG Rules and Guidelines document - review and resolution.
DePaolo: AOC feels the existing PEGASYS Policies and Procedures Manual is functional. To Montesano: what is structurally deficient in the document? Or is Charter just trying to standardize the rules for various facilities? Montesano: I was expecting a 6-page document from van Leuken. Van Leuken: it was my understanding that the AOC asked me to provide them with a summary of differences between the Charter and Pegasys manuals.
DePaolo: Let's operate from the premise that we'll keep the document as it is unless you can identify specifics. Montesano cites section I.4d which allows minors 14 years and older to assist with video productions when an adult takes on the legal responsibility for them with exceptions allowed at Staff discretion or by the AOC. He thinks that 14 is too young and it should not be left to staff to decide. DePaolo: It's reasonable for a
staffer with 20 to 30 years of experience to be able to use discretion. In connection with the age limit, the 14-year-old’s supervising producer is taking on all responsibilities. Tsegaye: I'd like to ask for a way to have the City Attorney present in parts of the meeting when we have legal questions. DePaolo: perhaps Gearhart could help here. DePaolo: Let's put this item at an earlier spot on next month's agenda.
g. Publicity and Outreach. No reports. h. Bulletin Board, TBA and Archive Programs - resolution. Van Leuken presented a proposal to amend the PEGASYS Manual’s Section VII.4
“Bulletin Board”. Montesano asked if the inclusion of “promos for PEG programs” could be removed and if the contact email could be charterbulletins.ny@charter.com rather than the studio coordinator’s Email. The AOC agreed to both requests. Van Leuken moved and Browne seconded the following resolution: Amendment for
Section VII.4 “Bulletin Board” 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 Section VII.4 of the Manual; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the AOC approves amending the Manual’s Section VII.4 to read as follows: “Section VII.4 Bulletin Board: The Community Bulletin
Board (CBB) is an electronic bulletin board for posting upcoming community events, public service announcements and other notices of public interest. It runs on the Public Access channel when local programming is not scheduled. It is available at no charge for non-commercial events. Space is limited to a few lines of text: what, when, and where the event will be held, and contact information, if desired. Items for the
Community Bulletin Board should be Emailed to PEGASYS Staff at charterbulletins.ny@charter.com. Ithaca’s community radio, WRFI, shall be used as the
6 Bulletin Board’s background audio, at the sole discretion of the Access Oversight Committee.”
Passed unanimously, 5-0. Montesano: Community Bulletin Boards aren't for promos of shows. He suggests that a producer's show can do promos for another show.
Tsegaye: Why WRFI? DePaolo: Because it is Ithaca’s community radio station.
08. Old Business
a. Franchise Agreement: for next meeting. b Franchise agreement non-compliance letter: for next meeting.
c. Inclusion of PEG Channels on Spectrum App: for next meeting.
d. I-Net “end equipment” maintenance cost shift: for next meeting. 09. New Business: none.
10. Next meeting: June 1, 2021, 5 pm.
11. Adjournment 7:01.
7 Charter
COMMUNICATIONS
Lauren Stefanelli PEG Coordinator
Access Oversight Committee Meeting
Ithaca, NY
Coordinator Report 5/04/2021
Equipment Maintenance/Repair Issues:
The SDI converter donated by the AOC has failed. Jim Blizzard at the Tompkins County Legislature has
resumed cablecasting City meetings for the Government channel.
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 (Gov. Access Channel):
04/07- Ithaca Common Council Meeting- Prepared for playback by Charter staff.
04/21- Ithaca Committee of the Whole Meeting- Prepared for playback by Charter staff.
04/28- Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting- Prepared for playback by Charter
staff.
Non-Resident Summary:
• Current balance for PEG Usage Fees as of May 4, 2021 is $519.00.
PEGASYS Fee 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
519 W. State St. | Ithaca, NY 14850 P (607) 272-7272 Lauren.Stefanelli@charter.com
8 Charter
COMMUNICATIONS
Lauren Stefanelli PEG Coordinator
Access Oversight Committee Meeting
Ithaca, NY
Budget Report 5/04/2021
2022 Budget Recommendation Ithaca Public Access 2022 Budget Document
Line Item Qty Cost Description
1 UltraNEXUS-HD-FLEX 1 $8,945.20 Computer-based device that is dedicated
to delivering video for PEG
2 Smartvideo Hub – Video Router 1 $1,785.30 Allows switching between video sources
3 Analog to SDI Converters 4 $915.20 Transmits uncompressed digital video,
audio and other data between video
devices
4 SDI to Analog Converters 3 $1,039.50 Converts video formats for playback
5 Up/Down/Cross Converters 2 $398.20 SDI signal format converter for SDI feeds
6 Dual Monitors 1 $633.60 Preview playback
7 Rack Shelves for Converters 2 $220.00 Holds equipment
8 Rack Mount Power Strips 2 $222.20 Provides power to system
9 Audio Distribution Amplifier 1 $317.90 Connect radio tuner to Leightronix servers
10 Audio Distribution Amplifier, Power Supply 1 $29.70 Provides power for Audio Distribution
Amplifier
11 UPS Battery, Tower Extended Run Line 1 $837.10 Provides emergency power for playback
12 Tower Battery Pack 1 $712.80 Provides emergency power for playback
Equipment Subtotal $16,056.70 13 Installation Setup and Training 1 $5,500.00 Equipment setup and training
14 Miscellaneous Cables Connectors and
Hardware
1 $550.00 Misc. equipment needed to complete
install
15 Customer Care Agreement Year 1 1 $690.80 Support contract
Installation Total $6,740.80
Project Total $22,797.50
16 Customer Care Agreement Year 2
(Optional)
1 $920.70 Optional support contract
Total with 2nd Yr. Customer Care Agreement $23,718.20
519 W. State St. | Ithaca, NY 14850 P (607) 272-7272 Lauren.Stefanelli@charter.com
9
From: Rich DePaolo [mailto:RDePaolo@town.ithaca.ny.us] Sent: Tuesday, May 4, 2021 8:10
PM To: Kelly, Lauren E <Lauren.Kelly@charter.com> Cc: Montesano, Mike D
<Mike.Montesano@charter.com>; Paul M Van Leuken <pmv4@cornell.edu>; Rob Gearhart
<rgearhart@cityofithaca.org>; Gossa Tsegaye <Tsegaye@Ithaca.edu>; E Wayles Browne
<ewb2@cornell.edu> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Request to install Dear Lauren, Pursuant to discussion at the 5/4/21 Ithaca Access Oversight Committee (AOC) meeting, a formal request is herein made for installation of the AJA Video Model D4E Serial Digital Encoder, currently located at the PEGASYS facility.
As this unit was made available to Charter on 4/22, and its installation would restore the ability to broadcast live government operations, AOC requests that its installation be facilitated expeditiously.
It should require an estimated 5 to 10 minutes of staff time. Thank you,
Rich ___________________________ Rich DePaolo Councilperson, Town of Ithaca 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca, NY 14850 607.273.1721 (office) 607.351.6512 (cell) Town Committees Planning Committee – Chair Public Works Committee Intermunicipal Committees Cable Access Oversight Committee – Chair Reply:
Kelly, Lauren E
Mon 10-May-21 14:02
To: Rich DePaolo <RDePaolo@town.ithaca.ny.us>
• Cc: Montesano, Mike D <Mike.Montesano@charter.com>; Paul M Van Leuken; Rob
Gearhart <rgearhart@cityofithaca.org>+2 others
Rich,
Thank you for your email last week. I’d like to confirm that the piece of equipment referenced below has
been tested and installed.
Thank you,
Lauren
Lauren Kelly | Director, Government Affairs – Finger Lakes
585.340.8188 (O) | 585.797.5395 (M) 100 Town Centre Drive | Rochester, NY 14623
E: lauren.kelly@charter.com
10 Patrick Pinney proposal- Channel 13 simulcast Rich DePaolo Tue 02-Mar-21 02:13
To: Kelly, Lauren E <Lauren.Kelly@charter.com>; Montesano, Mike D <mike.montesano@charter.com> Cc: E Wayles Browne; Wies van Leuken <pmv4@icloud.com>; Rob Gearhart <rgearhart@cityofithaca.org> +2 others As referenced at last month’s AOC meeting, please find, attached, Patrick Pinney’s proposal to
simulcast Channel 13. [...] Regards,
Rich Rich DePaolo Councilperson, Town of Ithaca 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca, NY 14850 607.273.1721 (office) 607.351.6512 (cell) Town Committees Planning Committee – Chair Public Works Committee Intermunicipal Committees Cable Access Oversight Committee – Chair
Proposal to Charter for a Simulcasted Channel 13 Introduction
My name is Patrick Pinney and I am a graduate student of IC and now resident of Ithaca NY. I am reaching out to you on behalf of elected officials, professors, and content creators in Ithaca. Due to the changing nature of
television, more and more people are opting to get their television through internet streaming, opposed to cable TV. With this in mind, many of my contemporaries (college students and twenty somethings) have no way of accessing
the public access channel on Channel 13. Since many of us are mere tenants in buildings that we do not own, it is neither logistically possible nor feasible for us to get cable television. Therefore, we have no way of accessing
public access TV. Consequently, most of us are completely oblivious to its existence. Simply put, public access is not fulfilling its intended goal of giving the community a platform because most of the community does not have
access to it. It’s for this reason that I would like to propose setting up an internet based simulcast for Channel 13. 1. The Method
The first method is relatively simple. It would involve creating a YouTube Channel that would simulcast the content of Channel 13 on a livestream. Jim Blizzard plans to use an Elgato Game Capture device to simulcast the cable TV stream onto the internet. It is easy and painless. 2. Business and Cultural Opportunity
A live streamed public access channel, could be the means by which Business and Culture could be revived
in Ithaca. Tourism is an industry that benefits from programs about local history or natural wonders like Ithaca’s Gorges. Additionally, Ithaca has a long tradition of film making and video production, thanks in no small part to the Park School of Ithaca College. With a live-streamed public access channel, the young producers of Ithaca would be inclined to make content for the channel. There are also events that I am apart of such as Ithacon, the nations second
longest running annual comic book convention, which brings in writers and artists from the general NY area. Due to the pandemic it will be run as a virtual event this year. This is a perfect example of an event that would benefit from being simulcasted. It has a demographic that consists of both College Students as well as older attendees who have been going since 1975. A simulcasted Channel 13 would be able to live stream the event to the younger generation, while still airing on traditional cable for the older demographic. Perhaps most importantly, putting the public access channel online would be an opportunity to expand the horizons of TV. As I’m sure you are well aware, we are in a
transitionary state for media. As more and more people are “cutting their cord” companies such as yours are finding
11 ways to adapt to the times. Giving communities the ability to participate in the broadcast of internet based media, in the spirit of interaction that is present in social media, would be a way to engage new subscribers. 3. Good Press
The pandemic has dramatically changed our lives. Many of us are socially isolated, financially depressed,
and politically divided. We are in large part, confined to our homes and not able to engage in public forums the way we use to. I believe that a live streamed public access channel would be a way to unite everyone that lives in this
town. It would give everyone in this community the opportunity to express themselves or to get their message out there. I have been trying to get this project off the ground for a few months now and plan to go to the local press to
help promote the idea. This could be an opportunity for Charter to take on the role of a benefactor who helped revitalize a sense of community. You would be seen as a courteous organization who provided a platform for
people, during trying times. Patrick Pinney
Phone: (201) 995-3744 Email: ppinney@ithaca.edu
12
Ithaca Gov. Channel- Used Equipment Failure
Montesano, Mike D
Fri 16-Apr-21 16:43
To: RDePaolo@town.ithaca.ny.us; E Wayles Browne; Paul M Van Leuken; RGearhart@cityofithaca.org; Tsegaye@Ithaca.eduCc: Kelly,
Lauren E <Lauren.Kelly@charter.com>; Savarino, Kris <Kris.Savarino@charter.com>
Good Afternoon,
The used video converter purchased by the Access Oversight Committee for the second Leightronix playout
channel has stopped working properly. This is causing the playback of programming on Channel 15 originating
from the PEG facility to look washed out and have a hum in the audio. The left picture is an example of what the
video should look like. The right picture is what the off air signal looks like. Channel 13 is not impacted by this
equipment failure.
13
Jim Blizzard has agreed to play back the City meetings through the Tompkins County I-NET
connection.
If the AOC would like to purchase a replacement converter using the Access Facilities and
Equipment Fund, the cheapest brand new device that matches the one that failed is $250.00
before tax and shipping.
Thank you,
Mike
Mike Montesano | Sr. Manager, Programming | 585.756.1587
71 Mt. Hope Avenue | Rochester, NY 14620-1090