TC 03-07-90Cable Television Advisory Comm~%%ee
Regular Mee%ing
March 7, 1990, 7 p.m.
cupertino city Hall
Minutes
ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by chairperson Jane Chiavacci at 7:00 p.m.
Committee members present: Chiavacci, William Fletcher, Walter Trefz,
Dorothy Schmid (Michelle Mann entered 7:25 p.m.)
Channel 30 Staff Present: Suzanne Orcutt
Staff Present: Donna Krey and Susan Robinson
Guests Present: Len Batchelor, Joe Wilcox, United Cable, Dave Barney,
De Anza College; Producers
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR FEB. 7, 1990 ADJOURNED MEETING
Fletcher made a motion to approve the minutes as written; Trefz seconded
and the motion passed unanimously.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
WRITTEN COM~UNICATIONS
The commission reviewed letters to various congressmen regarding the CTVAC
report to the FCC. Fletcher made note of a letter regarding the use of
limited partnerships as a way to raise money for cablesystems, noting that
this issue should be looked at for regulation.
STAFF REPORT
Krey reported that with Batchelor's help they made the March 1 FCC request
deadline for input regarding the Cable Act of 1984. She said the city
council has ammended the attendance ordinance for committees. Beginning
in Jan. any committee member missing three meetings in one calendar year
will need to go before the council for a waiver.
REPORT FROM JOE WILCOX, UNITED CABLE
Wilcox reported that pay units and subscriber numbers were up in
February. United began a basic value marketing campaign and expect March
to be a good month. He helped judge the preliminary rounds of this year's
BACE competition.
REPORT FROM SUZANNE ORCUTT, ACCESS DIRECTOR
Orcutt reported that she spoke to school district representatives and
Garden Gate and Kennedy are now wired with United cable. She will check
with the Cupertino School District to arrange a viewing of the system for
CTV Committee members. She presented video taped copies of Access
Hometown entries to CTV members and presented ideas for a new logo. The
budget was discussed. Krey noted that since the Tino Awards were not held
this year Access is right on budget with $2,000 remaining.
Fixed Acquisition Expenditures were taken out of order. The committee
discussed options for purchasing camcorders. Trefz expressed concern over
flexibility and quality of editing equipment. Fletcher made a motion to
purchase one camcorder under Orcutt's proposal not to exceed $2,000;
Schmid seconded and the motion passed with one no vote by Trefz. United
Cable offered to purchase the second camcorder. Set designs were also
discussed under fixed aquisition expenditures. They will cost just under
$100 per panel. Fletcher made a motion to approve the expenditure not to
exceed $2,300 for set design materials as outlined in Orcutt's report;
Schmid seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
OPTIONS FROM DE ANZA TO ALLEVIATE EDITING CONDITIONS
Barney reported that due to space constraints, the De Anza instruction
department also has an editing bench in the hall and that Access in not
being unduly punished. He noted that these conditions will be alleviated
when the Advanced Technology Center opens in 1992 and instruction moves to
that building. The committee discussed possible options to alleviate
editing conditions in the interim period. Suggestions included: using
space in the library for editing or finding space in the student center.
Producers noted that partitions are helping in Edit Suite C and that a
sign for the door when the suite is in use would be helpful.
CURRENT STATUS OF TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT
Batchelor reported on changes and explained the background of the
tripartite agreement. He noted that in exchange for a transfer of
equipment bought by United and the city, De Anza will maintain equipment.
The committee noted that if De Anza does not abide by the agreement the
equipment can revert to United and the city. The committee discussed the
need to further define the term "delay". Trefz suggested a maintenance
log. Barney noted that De Anza is agreeing to take over the equipment to
do a better job and sees no need to get specific. Barney stated that they
keep separate account books for Access and that he wants to run Access and
instruction separately but needs funding support.
Fletcher made a motion that the tripartite agreement be submitted to
the attorneys at De Anza, United Cable and the city, with the exception of
one item under maintenance. Any change in wording by commission members
would be submitted to Batchelor within the next 10 days and the document
would then be submitted to the attorneys for polishing; Trefz seconded.
Barney clarified that the equipment will still be separated by use,
whether you are an Access producer or instructor. De Anza will fund all
television staff positions as the money will now be part of the $32,000
given by the city in quarterly payments. Barney would like a courtesy
copy of the agreement submitted to De Anza attorneys. Batchelor suggested
that any change in wording by committee members be submitted to Batchelor
by Friday rather than in 10 days. Fletcher ammended the motion,
Chiavacci ammended the second; the motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF MAJOR GRANT APPLICATION FOR MUSICAL STORYBOOKS
The committee discussed concerns with the application. The proposed
airtime of Saturday morning is acceptable, however, salary grants, under
labor costs, will need to be replaced with promotional costs, postage or
flyers. Krey requested a deadline for grants of Wed., March 28. The
committee noted that the grant application needs to be re-written. The
grant application will be discussed further in April. A change in meeting
location to City Hall will also be on the April agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Fletcher moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:05; Schmid seconded and the
motion passed unanimously.
City ~lerk ~ ~/Chairpe{s6n