TC 02-06-91Cable Television Advisory Committee
Regular Meeting
Cupertino City Hall
Feb. 6, 1991
MINUTES
ROLL CAL~
The meeting was called to order by chairman Jane Chiavacci at 7:00 p.m.
Committee members present: Chiavacci, Walter Trefz Jr., Mike Wincn, Eunice
Cox. Absent: Katherine Trujillo
Staff present: Donna Krey, Len Batchelor, Laura Domondon
Channel 30 staff: Suzanne Orcutt, Dave Barney
United Cable staff: Daryl Henderson (entered 7:25 p.m.)
Channel 30 Producers: Linda Grodt, Roald Didrikson, Bill Lauer, Dieter
Runger.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE DEC. 5, 1990 AND JAN. 2, 1991 MEETINGS
Trefz made a motion to approve the minutes as presented; Wincn seconded
and the motion passed unanimously.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Producers and committee members introduced themselves.
Producer Roald Didrikson reported that the piano bench in Studio A
disappeared and asked for a replacement. He also suggested that the
college put a monitor in the control room so cameras could be aligned and
asked to use the back door of the studio to transport props. Chiavacci
said De Anza College should follow up on Didrikson's sugqestions. Orcutt
said because of security reasons the back door should be used for
handicapped access only. Barney said Didrikson's comments were
reasonable. Barney also noted that a United Cable engineer has not
visited De Anza for one month.
Producer Bill Lauer also asked to use the back door to move equipment
and requested that the college raise a light near camera #2 a couple of
feet because it limits space for a wide angle shot. Barney agreed that
the producers can use the back door to unload equipment at any time and
said that he will look into moving the light.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Krey passed out an article from the Mercury News about Santa Clara's cable
problems and showed committee members an advertisement from the
Multichannel News about a series about public access on the network,
"HA!" Barney said he viewed the program and thought it made fun of
people who were involved in access. Krey also passed out a new Cable
Television Review report.
Krey reported that Channel 53 will change its name to "The City
Channel". She told committee members that the station is also nearing
completion of.a 15-minute promotional piece titled "Cupertino - A City of
Choice". The'tape will be available to any group that wants to promote
Cupertino. She also mentioned that Channel 53 is keeping a log of
transmission problems on United Cable.
Krey said City Manager Don Brown has been meeting with Ralph steinke,
Daryl Henderson and Tom Lacey about the Tripartite Agreement. She said
that Brown feels there has been a lot of progress and that an agreement
will be reached within a few sessions. Henderson commented that there
will be a consensus by the next CATV meeting.
REPORT FROM DARYL HENDERSON, UNITED CABLR
Henderson said that Cupertino will be reported separate from the county on
the Subscriber Statistics Report. He told the committee that i,398 homes
in San Antonio Hills were notified that cable was available. He also
reported that United Cable hired a part-time customer service
representative to handle the high call volume more efficiently.
Henderson told committee members that the phone system that takes and
routes calls is about 99% effective. He said United is lacking a phone
management package which will indicate how long an agent is on line, how
long a customer is on hold, keep track of the total number of calls and
abandonment and measure the overall performance of a service
representative. Henderson said he has proposed to lease a management
package and is waiting for a response.
Chiavacci said the committee will go on record as being displeased
that after three months, United seems to have found no better way to track
customer complaints and indicated a better way to record the volume of
calls should be implemented as soon as possible. Krey suggested that the
committee may be interested in customers' comments and complaints.
Henderson said that logglnH this information may be too cumbersome for the
customer service representatives. He invited committee members to visit
United and see how the CSRs operate. Trefz commented that United Cable's
headquarters should recognize the needs of the Cupertino/Los Altos
office. Krey asked Henderson to make sure calls are forwarded to the
answering service at the end of the day.
Henderson informed the group that United Cable will officially be
called "United Artists Cable" as of March 1, 1991.
Henderson said that "The Cable Guide" will be going out of business
and that he is researching alternate program guides. Batchelor suggested
putting channel line-ups in the Mercury News' Sunday TV Guide. Krey
commented that a line-up flyer could be sent to customers along with thei~
bills. She also said that she tries to highlight special programming on
Channels 30 and 53 in the Cupertino Scene. Chiavacci suggested that
journalism groups from De Anza College write reviews on access programs.
Batchelor told Henderson that there were cable transmittal problems
Monday night. Henderson said microwave problems were caused by rain.
Wincn suggested that United consider alternative sites for the antennae to
correct transmission problems. Henderson reported that the district
engineer was responsible for moving the head end to Hayward. Barney told
Henderson that interference and beat bars have been on Channel 29 for
about 2 years. Henderson stated that some transmission problems have been
cleared up and that he will check with Wayne for further improvements.
REPORT FROM SUZANNE ORCUTT, ACCESS DIRECTOR
Orcutt said the staff at De Anza is taking proper security measures
because of the war in the gulf. She stated that the door used as a
thoroughfare from Cablecast to the Dub room is locked at 5 p.m. She also
said that doors to the studio and control room are locked when the
Christian Mideast group is in production.
Orcutt reported that only three producers submitted entries in the Bay
Area Cable Excellence (BACE) competition this year due to the lack of
usable equipment. Chiavacci said that the committee will record that
Channel 30 had fewer entries into the competition because producers were
unable to edit in the present facility due to equipment disrepair.
Orcutt said that nine producers plan to submit entries in the National
Federation of Local Cable Programmers (NFLCP) Hometown USA Video Festival.
0rcutt told the committee that she offered Open Studioto groups only.
She discussed the Five Year Plan and noted format (keeping 3/4" or
moving to S-lrHS) as the main issue. Chiavacci said that for the record,
the replacement Crosspoint Latch switcher is still an immediate need and
has been for the last 18 months.
Orcutt expressed her dissatisfaction with the Edit C equipment. She
sited sync problems and the lack of video output.
Barney said that repairing the monitors in Studio A is a priority.
The equipment budget for fiscal year 1991-92 will be discussed at the
next meeting.
Orcutt showed the committee an updated producers handbook to be given
to all new producers and continuing producers upon request.
Barney told Henderson that he has not seen a technical engineer from
United for over a month. Orcutt said she has documented all help requests
via telephone and faxes. Trefz asked Henderson if De Anza can report
engineering problems directly to Tom Lacey. Henderson agreed and said he
thought sending reports to Lacey could help Lacey understand the
importance of correcting De Anza's technical problems. Krey suggested
sending Orcutt's reports directly to Lacey. Henderson said the Tripartite
Agreement may clear up communication problems. Improving communication
with United will be discussed at the March meeting.
APPROVAL OF GRANT APPLICATION FROM JOAO MARTINS
Producer Dieter Runger presented the request for access show "Post!"
Runger said the show, started as a student group, applied for a $200 grant
to cover increased production costs and a new set. Winch moved to accept
the proposal, Chiavacci seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
UPDATE FROM DE ANZA COLLEGE ON EDITING FACILITIES
Batchelor said that he spoke to Steve Dowling about using space at Portal
and Wilson Parks. He said Dowling was concerned about securing the
equipment. Barney said the college did not accept a van from United Cable
because of the van's poor condition and liability issues.
DISCUSSION OF TASK FORCE
Chiavacci suggested that the committee postpone the discussion until the
Tripartite Agreement is completed.
STATUS OF TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT
No further information available.
LEGISLATION REFERRED BY COUNCIL
Batchelor reviewed the 3 basic tests for re-regulation. He said that Bill
S-12 should not be recommended to the council. Krey told the group that
she has information on other bills in which they may be interested.
Discussion of Legislation Referred by Council will be at the March
meeting, so members have more time to study the wording.
ELECTION OF 1991 CHAIRMAIN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN
chiavacci nomihated Trefz for chairman, Wincn seconded and the motion to
elect Trefz as chairman passed unanimously. Cox nominated Wincn for
vice-chairman, Trefz seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Chiavacci made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.; Trefz
seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The next meeting will be held
on Wednesday, March 6, 1991.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
City Clerk