TC 08-07-91Cable Television Advisory Committee
Regular Meeting
Cupertino City Hall
Aug. 7, 1991
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by chairman Walt Trefz 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
Channel 30 producers: Linda Grodt, Bill Lauer
United Artists Cable: Daryl Henderson
APPROVAL OF JUNE 5 MINUTES
Chiavacci made a motion to approve the minutes; Wincn seconded and the motion
to approve the June minutes passed unanimously.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
OLD BUSINESS
New Subscriber Hookup
Cox told committee members she spoke to Henderson about a walk-through at
Sunnyview Retirement Home. Henderson said it would cost approximately $75,000
to provide cable to 242 residents. He suggested a survey determining the number of
interested residents be submitted within 30 days. If not enough residents request
cable in their homes cable could be provided in common areas, costing over $40,0007
Chiavacci said other multiple housing projects with problems similar to
Sunnyview should be identified.
New subscriber hookups will be discussed at the Sept. meeting.
Thank You Letters to Tripartite Agreement Participants
Trefz read the rough drafts of letters to Mayor Koppel, Ralph Steinke, Dave Barney,
Daryl Henderson, Robert DeHart. He said he will hand carry the letters to each
committee member to be signed. Henderson suggested that his letter also be
addressed to Tom Lacey.
NIFLCP Recap
Batchelor said the franchise renewal programs at the NFLCP conference were very
good. He also mentioned that the Prestige awards were presented separate from
Hometown U.S.A. ceremony. He will transcribe detailed information, such as re-
franchising and a list of winners, and distribute to members before the next
meeting.
Chiavacci said Cupertino no longer dominated representation at the
conference and that may be a result of equipment failure. She suggested those who
were not able to attend this year, try to attend next year. Chiavacci distributed an
agenda and materials regarding franchising.
Batchelor suggested forming a subcommittee to study franchise renewal. He
said the subcommittee should keep records of equipment repairs and problems.
Wincn asked CTVAC members to begin contemplating the makeup of a
subcommittee. Discussion of a re-franchising timetable and committee will take
place at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Grant Expenditure Accountabili _ty
After discussion of grant accountability, committee members agreed to produce a
form stating expenditures and asking for receipts that will be given to grant
recipients. Wincn will draft the form and basic procedures and present at the next
meeting.
Equipment Survey
Wincn reported he received only nine responses from the survey distributed to
access producers. Krey asked Orcutt to review the responses and update as to what
has already been corrected. Chiavacci added that she would like to have time to
review the survey.
Orcutt said Barney will reassess equipment standing six months into the fiscal
year.
Regarding equipment acquisition and planning, Trefz asked Wincn to
consider himself "a consultant on a 10-year plan" and report to committee as
necessary.
Batchelor asked Orcutt about the status of a chief engineer. Orcutt reported
because of financial problems, the college has not hired the position. Batchelor
stressed the importance of a chief engineer saying it is vital to communication
between the college, city and UA.
Report from Channels 29 & 30
Orcutt thanked the CTVAC for its assistance in bringing the Tripartite Agreement to
a close. She said Dave Barney will monitor the grant funds from United Artists
Cable.
She mentioned that the engineers at the college cleaned the heads on the
VTRs, repaired Studio A tripod, Control A audio cassette, and Chyron ACG monitor
and said fall production will begin Sept. 16. Studio and edit request forms, safety
procedures and WAVE entry forms also were mailed to all active producer groups.
2
Report from Channels 29 & 30 (cont.)
Orcutt said she met with access directors in the south bay who decided to
develop joint cablecast playback guidelines and coordinate a South Bay Public Access
week next year. She said Mary Watson of Los Altos will coordinate outside playback
for producers who wish to have their programs on Channel 30.
Orcutt discussed the high school student production team and said both she
and Cox will present ideas to the principals of Monta Vista, Fremont, Lynbrook, and
Homestead high schools. She said she plans to sell the JVC edit decks and
controller, given to the college before the close of the Tripartite agreement, to pay
the salary of a producer helping with the educational project. Krey (with the
suggestion from producer Bill Lauer) asked Orcutt to check into possible surplus
equipment procedures with the college.
Report from United Artists Cable
Henderson said office manager Elaine Tirsell has transferred to another office, but
that there are two candidates for her position. He reported that the CSSRs now have
head sets.
Henderson reported an increase of 900 units with the help of SHOWCASE.
He also stated that he received 37 comments from the guide, which is printed
quarterly. Krey asked Henderson to summarize the comments and report at the
next meeting. Batchelor asked Krey to follow up on Heritage Cable reports for the
months of June and July.
Staff Report
Krey mentioned that the city does not have space for some used tapes and asked
Orcutt if she is able to recycle them. She said a bulk eraser would be helpful. Krey
told the committee she will be on maternity leave from Oct. 11 to Jan. 1. She also
reminded members that the Jan. meeting is scheduled for Jan. 1. The CTVAC
members agreed to postpone the meeting date to either Jan. 8 or 15. A vote will be
taken next month.
Educational TV in Cupertino Schools
Cox told committee members that she met with CUSD officials who were in favor of
the TV project. A meeting with principals from three elementary schools and one
junior high school will take place after Aug. 15. Educational TV will be discussed at
the next meeting.
Equipment Need Forecast
No further discussion.
Visit to United Artists Cable
Chiavacci said some CTVAC members toured the head end site in Hayward. She
wrote a letter to Kathy Wilson thanking her for giving the tour and asked
committee members to sign at the next meeting. The CTVAC will schedule another
UA tour when Cox, Trefz, Wincn and Henderson are available.
ADIOURNMENT
Batchelor motioned to adiourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m.; Cox seconded and the
motion passed unanimously. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, Sept.
4 at 7 p.m.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APpROvED:
Chairperson