TC 04-05-89CALL TO ORDER
Cable Television Advisory Committee
Regular Meeting
April 5, 1989
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman William
Fletcher.
ROLL CALL
Committee members present: Len Batchelor, Bill Fletcher, Michelle Mann,
Jane Chiavaoci, Dorothy Schmid
Staff present: Donna Krey, Carol Frausto, Elliot Margolies, Channel 30
Guests present: Joe Wilcox, United Cable, Dave Barney, De Anza College,
Don Yeager, grant applicant, and Jeanne Yeager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MARCH 1, 1989
Mann made a motion to approve the minutes as written and Batchelor
seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
GRANT APPLICATION
This item was taken out of order to accomodate guests present.
Batchleor made a motion to approve the grant request of $1,000 for Able
Cable Productions. Mann seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
~ EN COMMUNICATIONS
'--- Batchelor mentioned that a copy of the tripartite agreement between
United Cable, De Anza College, and Cupertino is in the agenda packet for
reference material.
STAFF REPORT
Krey announced a community dinner on Sunday night in honor of the
Mayor of Toyokawa and guests. She also reported that she received several
complaints from Heritage cable customers regarding unannounced visits by
servicemen for line repairs. She called Heritage and spoke to Steve
Reifschneider who said he would take care of the matter and call her back.
REPORT FROM JOE WILCOX, UNITED CABLE
Wilcox reported on subscriber statistics which is up to 54%
penetration for Cupertino. The customer complaints were down to 5 for
March. He described the marketing and pay-per-view events for April. The
Movie Channel was launched on April 1st on Channel 50. He reported that
he and Kathy Wilson met with Dave Barney, Ralph Steinke, and Ed Azlant of
DeAnza College to discuss Access Center equipment maintenance, repair and
replacement. He reported that the Channel 30 cameras have been retubed.
Wilcox also reported that Foothill College has modulators in place, and
tests will begin. The appeal for Channel 32 has not been decided, and
United has not put them back on the system.
Cabl~ Television Advisory Committee
ARril 5, 1989
Minhtes'
~,~ j ON UNITED/DE ANZ% DISCUSSIONS RE: EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
Fletcher voiced his concern regarding the equipment repair/replacement
procedures. Committee agreed to follow up on the paper work needed to
complete equipment repair/replacements by having Batchelor call Bill
Cullen, and Mario. Margolies suggested that written guidelines be
established for a replacement schedule with United. Barney said that
DeAnza College is interested in undertaking the responsibility of
equipment repair and maintenance in exchange for money from United.
Barney will come up with a proposal for equipment maintenance by DeAnza
College. The committee discussed the tripartite agreement as it relates
to United's access equipment maintenance. Wilcox, Barney and Batchelor
will meet to discuss the equipment issue and recommendation of amendments
to the tripartite agreement.
ACCESS COORDINATOR'S REPORT
Margolies reported that Access has the most producers, and trained
crew to date. Studio time is booked up and producer time has had to be
cut to accommodate. This quarter DeAnza students will not be signed up as
access users. The city will not be billed for insurance for students for
the spring quarter, and money already paid for fall and winter quarters
will be made up by DeAnza through video tapes for access.
Margolies updated the committee on a new interview show, and a special
PSA Day for non-profit agencies. A four day power outage knocked out the
cablecast in March. Ch. 30 is co-sponsoring a benefit for Cupertino
Com~lnity Services. The BACE awards will be held in May. Me will be
~' lng at a california League of Cities conference in April.
~ Margolies reported that the camcorder is repaired, and the retubing of
the cameras by United took place during the power outage. Me also
reported that the parts for Edit Suite A are in, and the engineer will
make the switch to 1/2 inch editing. He also reported on a new policy for
the access use of the studio when it is not regular business hours for
DeAnza; the fee will increase to $70-75 per hour from $25. That charge
includes overtime pay, and a $25 charge for utilities. There is a two
hour minimum. The grant of $200 for Artist's Using Science and Technology
will no longer be needed by the group. The committee discussed the
possibility of opening the studio on Saturdays. Committee asked Barney to
come up with the different alternatives for the opening of the studio on
one or two Saturdays a month.
Barney had requested that internal guidelines be set up for complaints
regarding access programming. After discussion, letter "D" was removed
from the guidelines. Margolies added to the wish list portable mic mixer,
a collapsable table, and a teleprompter. He also said the producer pay
option has been a success. He suggested altering the fee structure, to
have producers pay $30 and the city pay $20. ~ORTAPAK FUND
This item was postponed for later discussion.
BACE AWARDS
There are 10 seats available. Channel 30 has seven finalists, so the
option is open for them to each invite one guest. Margolies will let
committee members know about the remaining three seats.
DISCUSSION OF INTERNAL CREW FEES TO PROMOTE ACCESS
This item covered already.
ea~le ~ek~vision Advisory Committee
April 5,' 19~9
Minut6s-
~_~ iERITAGE FRANCHISE RENEWAL UPDATE
Batchelor compiled a summary of 764 questionnaires received from Gill
area residents, including a summary of comments. The committee discussed
putting together a summary with the top answers to be given to the City
Council. The summary will be included as an attachment to Krey's staff
report. A public hearing regarding the Gill franchise renewal will be
held on April 17 in the council chambers. The next step is to set up a
meeting with Gill/Heritage after the public hearing. Batchelor asked the
committee to think about recommending to the City Manager that a check on
the Gill/Heritage system take place. Krey suggested that Gill/Heritage
pay for the system check. She will include a recommendation in her staff
report.
BUDGET UPDATE
Batchelor included a budget summary in the agenda packet. A new item
is the reserve for contingency and depreciation. Krey has not met with
Finance Director Snyder to go over the budget. The money in professional
services would pay for someone 20 hours per week as an assistant to
Margolies. He suggested raising the salary to $7-8 per hour for his
assistant. Krey suggested leaving the item at the current amount and
transfer funds if needed.
Chiavacci made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.; Mann
se¢3~nded and the motion passed unanimously.
ATTEST:
Ci£y~ Clerky
APPROVED:
Chairperson