TC 12-06-89Cable Television Advisory Committee
Regular Meeting
Dec. 6, 1989, 7 p.m. ~.
~ Cupertino City Hall
Minutes
ROLL CALL
The.meeti~g~was called to order by Vice Chairman Len Batchelor at 7:02
Committee m~hers present: Batchelor, Dorothy Schmid, and Jane ~hiavacci
committee members absent: Bill Fletche~ Michelle Ma~n'
Cha~n'ei.~0~taff Present: Suzanne.o~4~t, ACbess Dir:~tor-
Staff Pre~en%%~ Donna Krey and Susan~B~binson'
Guests Pr~"s~nt': Joe Wilcox and Patrick McVeigh, United Cable,
Walt TrefZ, ROatd Didriksen, Ed Edgerton, Don Yeager, Rich Martinez
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 1, 1989 REGULARMEETING
The'Committee would like Suzanne Orcutt and Dave Barney included under
separate staff headings in the future. It was noted that line five,
paragraph two under oral communications should be changed to read, "...in
Channel 30's cable cast room in order ta~use.'the new..." in place of
"camcord~r." Jane Chiavacci made 'a motion to.approve the minutes as
corrected. Scbmid seconded and the~motion passed unanimously.
OR~Lf'COMMUNIC~IONS
Didriksen q~/estioned whether there had been a resolution~of the
installation date on a curtain for Studio A. orcutt commented that. the..
purchase order had'been~Ubmitted at a-~pst of $i40 that will be paid by
the college.. .... ~
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Batchelor noted his report on the Far West Regional Conference held Nov.
3-5. The report was included in the packet and Batchelor forwarded a copy
· to the Monrovi~'Cable Television Commission.
The committee.addressed a letter from'Don YWa~er regarding handidap access
t° De Anza T~.~'.=enter. Yeager's main concern was over safety, as the
building cannot be ekited from,latl sideS. Y~ager noted that David
.Barney's suggp~n to install an elevator access is both expensive and
dangerous. Ye~gpF~,feels that a ramp would be the most effective and least
expensive solution, yet this.~may be hampered by a large Oak tree in the
front of the building. Ch~acci questioned if it is within the power of
the committee to force th~'~Ollege to install a ramp. Batchelor noted
that the committee could force the college but they would prefer other
means.> Yeager stated that his next course of action would be to draft~.ia
letter to Dean Sellitti~'and:.aSk him to review what has transpired as far...
as. solutions to the prOblem~ Krey suggested that a letter from the..
committee would be effect.~Pe, Batchelor stated that he will call fmrst...
The committee addressed a second letter from Don Yeager regarding studio
equipment. Orcutt stated that the channel needs to consider what format
it would like to adopt. Batchelor mentioned that a future option is
HDTV. Krey asked if De Anza could get with the producers to see which
equipment they would prefer, perhaps fo£ming a user committee. Yeager
recommended spending as little as possible now and investing the rest
until the producers decide on a system. Orcutt stated that she is leaning
towards staying with a 3/4" framework. Other suggestions were made and
the committee decided to committee this discussion.
STAFF REPORT
Krey reported that Batchelor's term will end in January but he will become
a research assistant for Krey. He will attend the meetings, take the
minutes in Krey's or an assistant's absence and will be available for
consulting.
REPORT FROM JOE WILCOX, UNITED CABLE
Wilcox reported that the total subscriber number was up again and will
reach 10,000 by year end with a 56.9% penetration rate. Pay units
continue to slide due to duplication among the services. He noted that
subscriber complaints were up due to a rate increase in November and the
phone volume was high. Wilcox reported on their "Toys for Tots" drive
that went over very well last year. He mentioned some miscommunications
that have taken place due to new employees and will meet with Orcutt and
Barney. He also noted a problem with temperature and circulation in the
edit suites causing equipment failure. Wilcox will meet with Dave Barney
to address this issue. The committee mentioned that the City will sign a
renewal with Heritage Cable on Friday on condition that they provide
channels 30 and 53.
REPORT FROM SUZANNE ORCUTT, ACCESS DIRECTOR
Orcutt reported that a producer, Robert Duffur of "The Better Part",
passed away. She noted that producer packets for next quarter have been
sent to 46 producers and are due by Dec. 13. She reviewed three options
for new sets. Her recommendation was for sets made of a carpet-like
material by Pantechnicon versus burlap or velour. The total cost would be
$3,000 for 96 yards of material completely sewn, velcroed and cut into
flats of 42" each. The sets would be in interchangeable colors of grey,
camel, mauve, and sky blue. Orcutt suggested that the committee try one
color and if it succeeds then to proceed with the remaining sets.
Chiavacci moved t~ authorize Orcutt to proceed with construction of one
panel not to excegd $750. Schmid seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF CITY ALLOCATION TO DE ANZA FOR ACCESS
Narrative Report: Orcutt reported that of the fiscal year budget of
$10,500 for professional services, part-time staff and student crew,
$3,723 was spent during the first quarter. Krey recommended re-looking at
what was originally decided upon and why the figures are not in balance.
Materials and supplies expenditures came to $1,979 of the total $6,500
budget. Of the community information budget of $2,500 and $1,500, $45 was
used. And of the $11,000 fixed acquisition budget $2,146 was spent to
purchase the ACG Character Generator. Total expenditures for the quarter,
July 1, 1989-Sept. 30, 1989 were $7,934.
Projected Winter Quarter Report: Orcutt reported that $6,777 remains in
the budget for student salaries and paid student crew for the rest of the
fiscal year, equaling a potential deficit of $3,500 for fiscal year
1989-90. Due to remaining funds in the material and supply and community
information budgets, $4,000 will remain for the 4th quarter. Orcutt
suggests applying the remaining money to the budget deficit, which would
provide for projected student salaries for the year.
DISCUSSION OF AMENDMENTS TO TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT
Batchelor said that he would like a reasonable repair time included in the
agreement. He will forward a list of proposed changes to the attorney.
The discussion will be continued on the Jan. agenda
DISCUSSION OF CTVAC MEETING LOCATIONS
Batchelor proposed that the committee meet each 3rd month at De Anza. Krey
noted that the City must know the location of the meeting a month in
advance so the location can be posted in the agenda.
RECOMMENDATION FOR ADDITIONAL FRANCHISE FEE FROM HERITAGE CABLE VISION
Len Batchelor made a motion to request that the City Manager formulate a
resolution to the City Clerk requesting that the City turn over to the
Cable Televison Comanittee additional franchise fees of 2% when it goes
into affect in Oct. to supplement the committee's budget. Schmid seconded
and the motion passed unanimously.
CHANNEL 53 WORKSHOP OUTLINE
Krey reported that the producer's first choice for a workshop topic was
video aesthetics. Channel 53 will combine the top two choices in the
workshop outline. The workshop will be four hours long with a guest
speaker, rotating instructors and video segments. It will be held
Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a limit of 25 producers.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED DE ANZA FACILITY REARRANGEMENT
chiavacci reported concern that Edit Suite C has been moved into the hall
of the De Anza TV Center against fire codes. She mentioned a verbal
agreement with De Anza to keep Channel 30 facilities intact. Krey noted
that our only leverage is to withhold funds until provisions are made for
producers. Chiavacci suggested comparing the square footage originally
allotted to that now occupied by the channel. The committee would like to
speak to Dave B~r~neyregarding their concern over shrinkage of space for
Channel 30.
ADJOURNMENT --
Schmid made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
chiavacci
Cit~ ~lerk y
APPROVED:
Len Batchelor
Chairperson', ' -