TC 11-06-91CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting
November 6, 1991
Conference Room A
City Hall
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by chairman Walter Trefz Jr. at 7 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Trefz, Len Batchelor, Jane Chiavacci, Eunice Cox, Mike Wincn
Staff present: Laura Domondon Lee
Channel 30 staff: Suzanne Orcutt
Guests: Mike Duran, Bill Lauer, Linda Grodt, Karmen HallMiller, Lionel Lewis, Joao Martins,
Cheri Tuttle
APPROVAL OF OCT. 2, 1991 MINUTES
Trefz asked Lee to check if "seconds" replaced "minutes" regarding barkers on Pay-Per-View
programs on p. 2. Wincn made a motion to approve the minutes as discussed; Chiavacci
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
COMMLrNICATIONS
Oral: Producer Linda Grodt told committee members she attended the NFLCP Far West
Region Convention in Oct. as a finalist in the Community Performance/Events category. She
mentioned that her show "Silicon Kids" finished in the top three of 60 entries.
Written: There were none.
OLD BUSINESS
Re-franchising: Major Activities, ~'unelines, Plans, Progress: Wincn distributed a
preliminary franchise renewal timeline written by the re-franchising subcommittee. He also
asked for a copy of the Cable TV Act, which will be provided by Batchelor. Committee members
discussed the possibility of receiving proposals from other cable companies. Batchelor said
companies other than TCI could be considered at any time for a franchise.
Chiavacci and Wincn agreed to fill in missing dates on the timeline by the Dec. meeting.
Batchelor suggested producing a cable survey, inserted in the Scene, to obtain community
input on re-franchising. Orcutt mentioned that bill stuffers and surveys may not be accurate
ways of obtaining viewer input.
Wincn suggested that a subcommittee to examine a non-profit agency be formed.
Chiavacci asked Batchelor to spearhead that project and Orcutt offered assistance.
Chiavacci asked the CTVAC to discuss with community members input on their cable
service. Batchelor referred to a 1985 cable survey, stating that only 97 responses of 200 received
were United Artists Cable subscribers. He said the committee should not expect a good response
from a Scene survey and asked for the producers' help, saying the future of public access is at
stake.
Lee said she will ask Krey about the possibility of a survey in the Scene; check into laws
governing the Brown Act and report to Wincn or Trefz.
Providing Service to Sunnyview Retirement Home: Cox reported that the manager of
Sunnyview Retirement told her the residents will have cable service by Jan. 1992. Cox said she
discussed UA quotes with the manager, but could not obtain more information about cable
arrangements. She will try to pursue the disc~assion at a later time.
TV Production by Fremont Union High School District: Cox spoke with a member of the
Audubon Society, who asked for help compiling slides and tapes of California birds onto one
videotape. This tape, along with an information guide, could be used for instructional purposes.
Cox said she contacted the Cupertino Union School District, which expressed interest in the
project. The society will provide videotapes and guides for Cupertino schools if accepted.
Advertising of Adult Programming During Younger People Hours: To be discussed at the
next CTVAC meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Minor Grant Request From Don Yeager, On the Move: Batchelor motioned to
approve a $200 grant for Don Yeager's attendance at a recent NFLCP Far West Region conference;
Chiavacci seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Grants Review: Institute on Healing Prejudice and Racism: After a presentation and
summary of the program produced by Dr. Dennis Best and the Local Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahai's, committee members discussed possible religious implications. Chiavacci made a motion
to accept the grant application of $1000 for a minimum of five programs, one-half hour long,
within six months; Wincn seconded and the CTVAC continued with a discussion of studio costs
and newspaper advertisement proposals. Trefz expressed reservations in spending a large
amount of money for advertisements, stating that the return may not be feasible. Cox made an
amendment to the motion, proposing to eliminate a $500 line item for a newspaper ad and $100
for studio upgrading (plants) and asked that grant monies be reallocated in ways more suited to
video production. Chiavacci did not accept the amendment, saying the ad could bring additional
publicity to the public access channel. Wincn agreed with Cox that grant money should be used
for video production. The motion to accept the original proposal was defeated; Chiavacci
opposed. Members continued with a discussion of reallocating the budget. They suggested that
budgets for props, plants and ads be dropped; budgets for paper for correspondence and flyers
increase to $200; and distribution of flyers increase to $500, therefore, a total grant of $900 be
recommended. Cox made a motion to accept the proposal; Batchelor seconded and the motion
passed with no vote from Trefz.
Post!: CTVAC members asked project director Joao Martins and Cheri Tuttle for a local
angle and to provide community feedback from the program. Batchelor motioned to accept the
grant request for $1,000; Wincn seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
C 3: Lionel Lewis and Karmen HallMiller presented C3's grant application. After a brief
discussion of the differences between music video programs requesting grants, the show's
benefits and services, Cox made a motion to accept the $1,000 grant as requested; Trefz seconded
and the motion passed unanimously.
REPORT FROM UNITED ARTISTS CABLE
No further discussion with Henderson's absence.
STAFF REPORT
Lee told committee members that the City Channel provided coverage on the election night. She
also said Krey gave birth to a baby girl Tessa Michele approximately two weeks ago.
Batchelor said "Cupertino: A City of Choice", Cupertino's promotional program, will be aired
next month and that CTVAC members sho6Id ~/,~{~g 'it.
REPORT FROM DE ANZA COLLEGE
Orcutt reminded committee members to attend a producers meeting on Monday, Nov. 25, from 6
to 8 p.m. She also discussed her continued involvement with the high schools.
ADIOURNMENT
Chiavacci made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:07 p.m.; Cox seconded and the motion
passed unanimously. The next CTVAC meeting will be held Dec. 4, 1991 in Conference Room A
at City Hall.
APPROVED BY:
Walter Trefz, Jr., C~a~p2~son
ATTEST:
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