TC 01-03-90L14
Cable Television Advisory Committee
Regular Meeting
Jan. 3, 1990, 7 p.m.
Cupertino City Hall
Minutes
ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chairman William Fletcher at 7:00 p.m.
Committee members present: Fletcher, Len Batchelor, Dorothy Schmid,
Michelle Mann, Jane Chiavacci
Channel 30 Staff Present: Suzanne Orcutt, Access Director
Staff Present: Donna Krey and Susan Robinson
Guests Present: Dave Barney, DeAnza Telecommunications Dean, Joe Wilcox,
United Cable, Walt Trefz, Sam MacNeal, Linda Grodt
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR DEC. 6, 1989 REGULAR MEETING
Batchelor made a motion to approve the minutes as written; Schmid seconded
and the motion passed unanimously.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Entry forms for the Retirement Research Foundation and the BACE awards
were given to Orcutt for distribution to Access producers.
STAFF REPORT
Krey reported that the commissioners are invited to attend the mural
dedication and reception to be held in the City Hall lobby Jan. 25, at 7
p.m. The mural unveiling is scheduled at about 8 p.m. Krey spoke with
City Manager Don Brown regarding the additional 2% in Heritage franchise
fees to be passed on to the committee budget. Brown mentioned that he
would like to take this issue up at budget time. The budget process will
begin the end of February or beginning of March. Krey will keep the
committee informed of progress on this issue. Heritage will begin paying
the additional fee in October of 1990.
Mann requested a special recognition for Batchelor for his years of
service to the committee. Krey said that Batchelor will receive
recognition at the February commissioners' dinner, but a proclamation at a
council meeting could also be presented. Krey will inform the committee
when the proclamation will be presented, probably the first council
meeting in February. Krey reported that there have been three applicants
for Batchelor's position and the council will conduct interviews Jan. 17
at City Hall.
REPORT FROM JOE WILCOX, UNITED CABLE
Wilcox reported that subscriber statistics are up but pay units continue
to slide. This trend is expected to reverse itself in the next month.
Customer complaints were up and the abandon rate was worse than usual in
December due to a short staff and high volume. Wilcox noted that the
"Toys for Tots" drive in December was successful. The channel was down
for 15 minutes on New Year's Eve and Schmid said that she cannot get
Access on Channel 3 without a converter. United's Pat McVeigh performed
maintenance work the week of December 25 and in Jan. and is re-wiring the
interior production center. Wilcox noted a need to be clearcut on
DeAnza's responsibilities and United's recourse should that not happen.
Barney mentioned that the television production instructors need the
camera pods to teach their classes and that they are very pleased with
McVeigh's work.
REPORT FROM SUZANNE ORCUTT, ACCESS DIRECTOR
Orcutt reported on the producers meeting held Dec. 13 stating that
producers expressed an interest in attending the April 28 workshop offered
by Municipal Channel 53. Orcutt has also offered Saturday workshops and
two thirds of the producers felt this would be a productive time. She
handed out samples of business cards, presented to the producers as
Christmas gifts. Orcutt noted she is working with 38 producer groups and
has ordered the first part of the set design in grey. The Santa Clara
County Fire Marshall conducted a preliminary inspection of the TV center
and Barney is working with the operations manager of Flint Center
regarding the air conditioning problem. Pat McVeigh is conducting a full
maintenance of Studio A.
Mann questioned the logo change on TV 30 producer cards, noting a
concern with consistency and image. She also requested a status report on
the air conditioning situation in the TV Center. Barney said he has
written a memo to the district requesting analysis of the entire system.
Krey questioned Barney as to a reasonable time to allow the college to
respond to the memo. Barney feels another month would be appropriate.
The committee would like a recording thermometer placed in the TV Center
this month to monitor temperature levels. Mann questioned if the
relationship between Channel 30 and DeAnza has outgrown itself. Barney
reaffirmed the college's commitment to Access and welcomed creative
solutions. Other options for Access will go on the next agenda. Orcutt
reported on the fiscal year budget and estimated a $2,500 surplus.
DISCUSSION ON AMENDMENTS TO TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT
Batchelor is ready to write the final report. He will give the finalized
copy to Krey who will pass it to the city attorney. It will then go to
United's and De Anza's attorneys. Mann made a motion for Batchelor to
incorporate relevant changes. Chiavacci seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
MINOR GRANT REQUEST FROM WOMEN'S HERITAGE MUSEUM
Fletcher noted that the Women's Heritage Museum has been producing on
Channel 30 and distributing their work to area channels. Batchelor said
that they included videos in their request and that the committee needs to
take note of the videotape item. The committee discussed making the grant
specific for promotion. Mann made a motion to approve the grant request
from the Women's Heritage Museum. Batchelor seconded and the motion
passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Fletcher made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. to DeAnza
College on Feb. 7 in the E1 Clemente Room. Chiavacci seconded and the
motion passed unanimously.