TC 05-03-89Cable Television Advisory Committee
Regular Meeting
May 3, 1989
MINUTE~'
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman William
Fletcher.
ROLL CALL
Committee· members present: Len Batchelor, Bill Fletcher, Jane Chiavacci,
Dorothy Schmid, Michelle Mann; 7:15 p.m.
Staff present: Donna Krey, Carol Frausto
Guests ~reseDt: J6:e Wilcox, United Cable, Dave Barney, De Anza College,
Ralph Steinke, De ·Anza College'
Batchelor made a motion to move Review of De Anza Proposal for Revising
Tripartite Agreement t° number three on the agenda. Chiavacci seconded
and the? motion passed·unanimously.
REVIEW' OF DEANZA PRoPoSAL FOR REVISING TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT
The committee reviewed a proposal from. Dean of Telecommunications,
Dave Barney.for De Anza College to undertake repair, maintenance and
replacement of video equipment used by Public Access Channel 30. Barney
said that De Anza is willing to undertake the maintenance of the United
equipment with monetary·compensation yearly from united. Wilcox said that
accountability is a key~issue. The proposal also included estimated costs
for equipment and persono~l at the TV center, which, Barney said, could be
~s~lit'~.etween United and the city. Commissioners asked Wilcox~of United
~le to review the proposal and come up with a response. Thelquestion
w=s brought up of further funding for access coordinator's salary from
external sources. A review of De Anza's proposal will be placed on the
June agenda. Chiavacci and Mann will work on a policy statement on the
use of access facilities by access users, and a grievance procedure, .which
will be placed bn the June agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD APRIL 5, 1989
Batchelor made a motion to approve the minutes as written.
seconded.~and the motion~ passed unanimously.
Chiavacci
ORAL gOMMUNICATI.QNS ~ne.
WRITT-E~. CoMMUNICAtiONS
Thin, committee ~eceived a letter from Wilcox of United Cable
congratulating the' finalists from Ch. 30 and Ch. 53 for this year's BACE
award:s~ Krey has been distributing tickets to the BACE awards for
final~ists..- The committee also received a copy of a letter 'sent by
Batchelor to Barney of De Anza College and his reply to the committee.
S~FF R~PORT
~ Krey gave the committee a tape of a recent talk show that focused on
access programming. Krey is working with Finance Director Snyder and City
Manager Brown on the committee's budget. She said that Brown would like
-- ~ raise budgets no more than 5%over last year. Minor CTVAC budget
~able Television Advisory Committee
~ay 3, 1989
4inutes
~TAFF REPORT CONTINUED
rhanges were requested and the money cut would be placed in the
committee's reserve fund. Batchelor indicated he thought the reserves
should show up in the actual budget. Krey also said that the City Council
did authorize staff to continue franchise renewal negotiations with
Gill/Heritage Cable. She did not receive any complaints this month
regarding Heritage or United. She also mentioned that former Access
Coordinator Elliot Margolies received a proclamation from Mayor Plungy at
the last city Council meeting.
REPORT FROM JOE WILCOX, UNITED CABLE
Wilcox reported that subscribers were up in April and United has
reached 54% penetration in Cupertino. Three new channels were launched in
April and a free Disney preview was held. Wilcox said that weather
changes had affected some microwave channels; adjustments were made to
eliminate the problems. He brought up the issue of upgrades of equipment
rather than replacement of like value. He said that he had submitted
requests for new equipment not replacement or used equipment. Upgrades
item was placed on the June agenda.
REPORT FROM GILL/HERITAGE CABLE
Krey reported that negotiations will continue and a meeting will be
held at the end of the month. Fletcher reported that a Gill/Heritage
representative was invited to attend the CTVAC meeting but no one
attended, city Manager Brown will be present at any future meetings with
Gill/Heritage. The committee agreed to be represented by Batchelor, with
Fletcher as backup.
DISCUSSION OF FINAL REPORT FROM ACCESS COORDINATOR MARGOLIES
The committee reviewed the report and agreed that it was very
detailed; they were impressed with the analysis of what still needs to be
done with access. The challenges will continue to include training and
outreach. The committee agreed to place one of the five areas for
discussion with De Anza on the agenda beginning in June with the
"Potential for growth." Barney gave the committee packets regarding
studio sets for Ch. 30. Schmid said the condition of the drapes in the
studios are in need of repair or replacement; Wilcox will check into their
condition.
UPDATE FROM DEAN DAVE BARNEY
REPORT ON PROCESS AND PROGRESS FOR HIRING A NEW ACCESS COORDINATOR
Barney reported that a revised job description and reclassification of
the Access Coordinator position is taking place. Within the next two
weeks, advertising will begin for the position. The same procedure will
be used as when Margolies was hired. He reported that in the interim two
part time staff people have been hired.
PORTAPAK FUNDING
Staff will review past minutes on this item.
COMPLETION OF OUTREACH FLYER
Batchelor gave Barney a copy of an outreach flyer which Margolies had
produced for Ch. 30. Barney will check into its production.
Cable Television Advisory Committee
~ay 3, 1989
Minutes
?E FRQM DEAN DAVE BARNEY CONTINUED
TARGA PLAYBACK UNIT FUNDING
Barney reported that the bid for the Targa playback unit came in $800
over the $3,000 already approved by the committee. Batchelor made a
motion to approve the increase, not to exceed $4,000 for the targa
playback unit. Schmid seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
PROPOSAL TO REPLACE FOUR HOURS PER DAY OF CHARACTER GENERATED MATERIAL
Barney asked the committee to review the possibility of replacing four
hours a day of character generated material on Ch. 30 with the National
College Television Network (NCTV). He offered the service because it will
be used on the on campus channel. The committee agreed that Ch. 30 is
restricted regarding any commercial programming and would not recommend
this practice, as it sets a dangerous precedent.
NFLCP SEMINAR
Simultaneous Saturday Seminars will take place around California
sponsored by the NFLCP. The seminars will be held on May 20. Committee
members can contact Krey if they are planning on attending the seminar.
ADJOURNMENT
Batchelor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.; Chiavacci
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
TEST:
APPROVED:
Chairperson