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TC 10-02-91CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Regular Meeting October 2, 1991 Conference Room A City Hall MINI. FI'ES 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: Donna Krey, Laura Domondon Lee Channel 30 staff: Suzanne Orcutt United Artists Cable: Daryl Henderson Guests: Linda Grodt, Don Yeager APPROVAL OF SEPT. 4, 1991 MINUTES Chiavacci made a motion to approve the Sept. 4 minutes; Wincn seconded and the motion passed unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS Oral: Don Yeager introduced himself and said a representative from the NFLCP Far West Region asked him to speak at the conference to be held on Oct. 25 - 27. Yeager then asked the CTVAC for approximately $200 for travel expenses. Krey mentioned that the request should be in the form of a minor grant request, which would be presented to the council on Oct. 21. Producer Linda Grodt said she also is interested in attending the conference because she is a finalist in the community-oriented division. Krey explained that the committee should set a budget for travel expenses, but could possibly reimburse Yeager. Henderson expressed interest in Grodt's attendance and said United Artists may be able to provide monetary support. Since the requests were not agenda items, the committee showed support and asked to hear the reimbursement proposal at the next meeting. UA will meet with Grodt to discuss expenses further. Written.' Wincn distributed a grant expenditure form to be discussed later during the meeting. OLD ~ Re-franchising; Major Activities, Timelines, Plans: Chiavacci agreed to meet with Winch to discuss timelines. The subcommittee will then present ideas at the next CTVAC meeting. Krey will provide copies of a timeline used for Heritage Cable and said she has the final franchise agreement which can be used as a reference. Committee members also discussed the possibility of a separate non-profit subcommittee. Chiavacci will discuss the suggestion with Winch and present a recommendation to Batchelor. Trefz told committee members he also will submit re- franchising revision ideas. Grants Subcommittee and Accountability: The committee commended Winch on the. expenditure form and agreed to ask grant recipients to return completed forms to the CTVAC or Donna Krey. Winch made a motion to adopt the form as a standard procedure; Chiavacci seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Alternative Ways of Providing TV Signals to Areas Where Cabling Cost is High: Chiavac distributed an article titled "Introduction to CATV". She suggested that new members receive a copy for basic background information. There was no further discussion. Providing Service to Sunnyview Retirement Home: Henderson said an alternative way of providing TV signals is through "SMATV systems" (Satellite Master Antennae TV). He said SMATV operators provide service, normally to rural areas, where direct broadcast satellites are accessible. He also mentioned that he is.aware of two local projects. Batchelor explained that, according to a city ordinance, a franchise agreement is necessary for servicing 50+ units. Cox will contact SMATV vendors for quotes. Henderson said the Sunnyview project will cost approximately $65,000 for internal, post- wiring, materials and labor. Providing cable to the junction box on each building and providing materials for post-wiring, to be completed by another contractor, could be an alternative which would cost approximately $50,000 +, excluding contractor fees. Cox will contact management regarding the number of building to be wired so estimated costs can be given. Krey noted that she will review the ordinance and see if SMATV vendors should be contacted. TV Production by Fremont Union High School District: Cox and Orcutt reported that they met with principals from FUHSD and staff members from Cupertino Union School District. Cox said Henderson attended the FUHSD meeting and discussed UA's services. Orcutt mentioned that the CUSD's production "CUSD Presents Panorama" will air on Mon. at 6 p.m. and that the FUHSD program will be completed at the end of the year. Orcutt noted that the ROP (Regional Occupational Program) was dropped from high schools due to lack of funding. She said principals asked that students receive high school credit or pre-college credit through De Anza for TV training. Orcutt said she discussed the recommendation with Dave Barney who will contact a member of the De Anza ROE Advertising of Adult Programming During Younger People Hours: Chiavacci said she recently heard comments about advertising of adult programming in households that do not have Pay-Per-View. Henderson explained that these households still receive a "barker", a 15- minute advertisement for PPV. He mentioned that he has not heard any negative comments about the ads and noted that channel locks are available. Henderson said written ads are shown before programming on the Playboy and Spice channels and agreed to check if titles are too explidt. 'litle research will be discussed at the next meeting. Other committee members had not heard negative comments. REPORT FROM DE ANZA COLLEGE Orcutt reported that there were two entries for the NFLCP Far West Region WAVE awards. She said De Anza engineers installed a switcher, amplifiers and monitor picture tubes and completed the wiring of Control A. An editing deck also was received. Orcutt mentioned that the De Anza material services manager will present to the board of trustees a proposal declaring the JVC edit decks and controller as surplus equipment so that it may be sold. Orcutt expressed her concern with the timing of new studio cameras and asked the CTVAC to consider acquiring the cameras as a priority. Chiavacci said she and Orcutt met with Mark Romo, who will be assigned additional training duties. She stressed the importance of the CTVAC's attendance at the next producers' meeting on Nov. 25 from 6 - 8 p.m. at De Anza to listen to the producers' concerns. Orcutt presented a letter from Jim Webb discussing the possibility of a facility use agreement with Sunnyvale. Yeager provided a brief summary on the proposal's background. I<~ey mentioned that the recommendation will go before the council, possibly at a Nov. meeting, but that it will be a while before a facility decision is made. REPORT FROM UNITED ARTISTS CABLE Henderson told the committee that the Instant Install campaign was a big success, gaining over 115 new subscribers; 40 subscribers were from Cupertino. He said the new office manager Alyce Moon is working out well. Krey asked Henderson to invite Alyce to the CTVAC meetings. Henderson said he has already mentioned to her attendance at the meetings. He reported that PPV program "A Night at the MET" was unsuccessful and received a response rate of 0.4%. He said he attended a conference in New York sponsored by the National Association of Minorities in Cable/National Cable Television Association. Chiavacci suggested that Henderson research a newly passed cable TV act' that evaluates stations on programs provided for children. She said it may be an advantage to publish information about the educational program with FUHSD and CUSD. Henderson told her that UA is discussing the possibility of non-commercial programs for children (for example, "Cable in the Classroom"), but will research the new cable act. STAFF REPORT Krey reported that the City Channel videotaped the Heritage Day Parade and Bicentennial event. Henderson asked her for more information on the parade programming. She said the channel also is heavily involved with the Civic Service awards and the election: taping candidates platforms and live elections coverage. She told the committee that she spoke with the city attorney about the TCI takeover of United Artists. The attorney said the city needs a formal notification from TCI about the change before a resolution is filed and attached to the original agreement. Krey reminded the group that this meeting was her last until January and asked members to pass any questions to Lee. Batchelor mentioned that Ch. 53's program, "Cupertino: A City of Choice," is an excellent marketing tool and should be made available to the committee and Channel 30. Krey said the video will be given to service clubs, newcomers and the committee once it is completed. ADIOURNMENT Batchelor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:11 p.m.; Cox seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The next CTVAC meeting will be held Nov. 6, 1991 in Conference Room A at City Hall. APPROVED BY: Walter Trefz, Ch~iqr~v ATTEST: