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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCable Advisory Board 2007 Minutes MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION AND CABLE ADVISORY BOARD City Council Council Conference Room 124 West Michigan Avenue ' Wednesday, May 9, 2007 CALL TO ORDER =} Fri Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. G COMMITTEE MEMBERS - o Jim Fordyce, Member Michael McFadden, Chair Matt Penniman, Member Monica Zuchowski, Vice Chair OTHERS PRESENT Gary Andrews, Access Producer Darryl Burgess, Access Producer Diane McGlynn, Citizen Christine Timmon, Access Producer Karen Sclnnidt, CITY-TV Manager, Board Secretary MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 11, 2007 MEETING. APPROVED 4-0. PUBLIC COMMENT Darryl Burgess: Commented that Comcast submitting an email pertaining to Mr. Andrews complaint, brought up at the last meeting, without being present was sad. He also stated that VHS editing is viable and important for his programs. Gary Andrews: Urged the Board to take a hard look at the funds left over from the grant process. Community groups could provide adventurous avenues for the City or the Community Media Center could use the funds to help with set-up costs. The funds could also be awarded to CITY-TV to enhance their programming. Christine Timmon: Stated that the left over funds could not go to the Community Media Center because they do not currently have a program being aired. She stated that Comcast was spiking prices and that Lansing residents should cut them off. They should not buy more than basic cable, which is any channel above channel 21. She vowed that this is being done in Macomb County with success. Diane McGlyrul: She has called Comcast many times to complain about the price of cable and especially how it impacts seniors and people with disabilities, and was basically told "bite me". Who should she call? She urged the Board to do all that they could to support Arialink and encourage competition in order to drive down prices. She stated that she is unaware of the make-up of the Board or its duties. Member Fordyce questioned Ms. McGlynn about her service and where it is that she lives and the quality of the signal provided to her. She stated that she lives in an apartment complex that does not allow dishes to be placed on their balconies. Vice Chair Zuchowski addressed Ms. McGlynn, stating that the Board was an Advisory Board to the City and does not have control over Comcast. The State is now regulating cable and complaints should be forwarded to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Beginning June 1, 2007, the MPSC are to have avenues in place to deal with complaints. She also stated that Ms. Brogan, Director of Government Affairs - Comcast, in a public document on this Board's agenda has placed her direct phone number. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS Ltr., Comcast Digital Voice—Leslie Brogan, Comcast MEMBER PENNIMAN MOVED TO RECEIVE AND PLACE. MOTION APPROVED 4-0. Member Fordyce stated that he was livid with Comcast, their signal, and lack of customer service. Even walking in to this meeting the security guard stopped him to complain about the signal quality that he receives on Alpha Street. Member Fordyce and his neighbors on Poxson Avenue also have signal problems with mosaic pictures or signal outages. He stated that Comcast's HDTV and Plasma services are awful. Customer service representatives at the 1-800-COMCAST service center are not helpful and blatantly rude. The technicians that come out to the houses are for the most part polite and courteous and try to be helpful. The service problems in his neighborhood have been going on for long time with the households most always being told that the problem is with the wiring in their own homes. This has been proven to be incorrect. Since this is the way that Comcast does business, he is most certainly not going to use them for phone service. With the number of outages that they receive, he does not want to think of what could happen if they were to experience an emergency that depended on phone service. MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED THAT A LETTER BE SENT TO COMCAST ASKING THEIR INTENTIONS PERTAINING TO COMCAST REPRESENTATION AT THE BOARD MEETINGS. MOTION APPROVED 4-0. VICE CHAIR ZUCHOWSKI MOVED THAT A LETTER OF COMPLAINT OF COMCAST'S SERVICES, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, BE SENT TO THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THAT A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO DO THE SAME BE MADE. MOTION APPROVED 4-0. DISCUSSION AND PENDING ITEMS City Funding for Community Cablecasting Activities-Grants Funds Not Yet Awarded Member Penniman asked that if the City purchases equipment for Comcast's Public Access facility and they shut down operation within a few months, who keeps the equipment. Vice Chair Zuchowski stated that any equipment that the City funds would purchase would come back to the City. She stated that she has sat on other Board's where it has worked in that way. Because member Penniman was recently appointed, Vice Chair Zuchowski advised him that the Board will be making changes to the current Policies and Applications in order to formally address these types of concerns. Member Fordyce stated that since Comcast was not present at this meeting, and did not provide quotes on the equipment items that were discussed at the last meeting; he believes that the previous grant award recommendations should be sent to the City Council. He would also like it stated that the intention of the Board for the reserve balance would be to provide equipment to the facility for producers use, yet the exact items would be further discussed at the next meeting. Member Penniman stated that due to a conflict, he would not be able to vote on it, but wanted members to take into consideration the Community Media Center. Vice Chair Zuchowski stated that she would be opposed to that because many on the Board of Directors for CMC are potential producers and they could have made application. It was decided to move forward to Council the Board's current recommendations. REPORTS None. LATE ITEMS Email Response, Technical and Scheduling Problems at Comcast, Gary Andrews — Michael Rhodes, Comcast It was noted that Mr. Andrews had not received a copy of this letter and that he should have been the one to receive the response. It was discussed that Ms. Schmidt would contact Comcast and request that the response be directed to Mr. Andrews. VICE CHAIR ZUCHOWSKI MOVED TO RECEIVE AND PLACE ON FILE THE RESPONSE BY COMCAST. MOTION APPROVED 4-0. VICE CHAIR ZUCHOWSKI MOVED THAT THE BOARD HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON JULY 25, 2007 AT 7:00 PM AND INVITE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND ARILINK TO THAT MEETING. MOTION APPROVED 4-0. PUBLIC COMMENT Gary Andrews: He was part of the group that years ago formulated the Cable Ordinance. Currently 75% of the programming on Public Access is religious programming. He asks that the Board recommend to Comcast to change their Rules to allow civil programs to bump religious programs fi-om more preferable time slots. Darryl Burgess: Offended that Comcast was not present for the meeting. Christine Timmon: Stated that public access program content, by her interpretation of the law, is not the business of this Board. She restated that City residents should cut Comcast off by not purchasing any channels above Basic. And she noted to the Board that the City could not own anything fiom the cable money. Diane McGlynn: Stated that Comcast is Comcast and that they have screwed people at the bottom of the economic ladder for years. The people deserve affordable cable and need competition. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Submitted by Karen Schmidt CITY-TV Manager Approved/by Michael McFadden, Chair DATE �7 i -�' I MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION AND CABLE ADVISORY BOARD City Council Council Conference Room 124 West Michigan Avenue Wednesday, April 11, 2007 CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. COMMITTEE MEMBERS cA J Jim Fordyce, Member =� v Michael McFadden, Chair G° Matt Penniman, Member(arrived 7:40 pn,) � r Ida White, Member Monica Zuchowski, Vice Chair OTHERS PRESENT Gary Andrews, Access Producer Darryl Burgess, Access Producer Randy Hannan, Administration Darnell Oldham, Sr., Access Producer Michael Rhodes, Comcast Cable Christine Timmon, Access Producer Karen Schmidt, CITY-TV Manager, Board Secretary VICE CHAIR ZUCHOWSKI MOVED THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 14, 2007 MEETING. APPROVED 4-0. Vice Chair Zuchowski requested that the grant application packet be placed on the Board's agenda after July, 2007 so that the Board can review and make changes. Ms. Schmidt stated that per an earlier phone discussion with Member Garcia, she stated her intention to resign from the Board and that she would fax a letter of resignation for placement on the Council agenda. As of this meeting, that letter had not been submitted. PUBLIC COMMENT Christine Tiinmon: Referred to an article in the City Pulse (4/11/07) that stated that the fixture of Public Access was unsure. She stated that this statement is untrue and does not understand how the City Pulse could have gotten the information so wrong. She read a few lines from the PA480 which talk about 2% funds for PEG. Darryl Burgess: Asked questions of Mr. Rhodes pertaining to the number of programs that would be allowed under the revised Public Access Rules. Gary Andrews: Stated that his memo which is on the agenda is self explanatory. He passed out a formal complaint that he was submitting to Comcast that he hoped to receive a response at a later date. Darnell Oldham: Discussed PA480 and the money set aside for access programming. He encouraged Board members to move on with the application process and the keep freedom by staying out of programming content. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS Memo, Other Views . . . Television; G. Andrews Letter,Professional Behavior of Board, C. Timmon Both correspondences were submitted at the previous meeting. VICE CHAIR ZUCHOWSKI MOVED TO RECEIVE AND PLACE. MOTION APPROVED 4-0. DISCUSSION AND PENDING ITEMS City Funding for Community Cablecasting Activities-Grant Applications Recommendations for public access producers have already been formalized, after which a balance of$4,898.00 exists. What should be done with these funds is part of the recommendations this Board wants to forward to the City Council. Member Fordyce asked those producers present at the meeting what they thought would improve the Access facility. Gary Andrews—Color Monitors for the Studio Cameras More Maintenance on the Equipment Improve the Signal Output and Playback Equipment Darryl Burgess—Continuation of VHS Equipment More Maintenance on the Equipment Christine Timmon—VHS Editing - Providing Transportation Payment to Studio - Let Everyone Applied for a Grant Amend their Applications Darnell Oldham—Increase the Number of Production Classes Member Fordyce questioned Michael Rhodes pertaining to training classes. It was stated that they offer classes once a month at both facilities. When asked if the Board could pay for another class it was stated that an additional class could be managed without additional financial input. Member Fordyce stated that he believes videotape will completely disappear in 6 years and he would like to see equipment that moves in that direction to be purchased. Vice Chair Zuchowski questioned the maintenance issues. Mr. Rhodes stated that they have excellent maintenance. When they are aware of an issue they get it fixed. He does not feel that maintenance is an issue. Program quality, most of the time, falls to the hands of the producers. Member Fordyce asked Mr. Rhodes to get quotes on Color Monitors and VHS cameras that would enhance the current access equipment. He will also get with Mr. Rhodes to tour the facility before the next meeting. VICE CHAIR ZUCHOWSKI MOVED FOR A SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 9, 2007 AT 7:00 PM TO DISCUSS EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BALANCE IN THE COMMUNITY CABLE CASTING GRANT FUND. MOTION APPROVED 4-0. MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED TO TABLE THIS ISSUE UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING. MOTION APPROVED 4-0. (Member Penniman arrives 7:40 pm. Members introduce themselves to the new member) Public Access Rules It was stated that Comcast is providing the Board with current Rule changes for the Board to review. If there may be issues that the Board feels are not dealt with, then Comcast may take note of their recommendations. Vice Chair Zuchowski stated her appreciation for Comcast dealing with some of her previous concerns. It was stated that these Rules changes have been before the Board for a few months. MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED THE ACCEPTANCE OF LANSING PUBLIC ACCESS RULE CHANGES. MOTION APPROVED 5-0. Due to some concern from producers present at the meeting, it was asked how soon these new Rules would be implemented. Mr. Rhodes stated that the Rules would be phased in over time. The Board believed that the producers should have a specific time frame to work with. They asked Mr. Rhodes if June 1, 2007 would give Comcast time to implement the Rule changes. He stated that Comcast could accomplish the notices and informational meetings that they provide before the Rules get changed by June 1, 2007. REPORTS Administration Mr. Hannan reported to the Board that Arilink's Uniform Franchise application has been approved with a 5% franchise fee and an additional 2% for PEG fee. He stated that due to new legislation, disapproval can only happen if the application is incomplete. The City has recently received a Uniform Franchise application from Comcast. LATE ITEMS Ltr., Technical and Scheduling Problems at Comcast—Gary Andrews Michael Rhodes, Comcast, stated that he would review and make response to the letter. The Capital Area Community Media Center—Mission & Services Member Penniman provided this information to the Board PUBLIC COMMENT Christine Timmon: She believes that Comcast does a good job with people who do not know much about putting together a program. 700 people are trained to produce programs but they do not use the facility because they are lazy. She does not understand what all of the fuss is about PEG channels, the new law secures PEG. Darnell Oldham, Sr.: Hopes Arilink provides Public Access. He believes Public Access is enjoyable. Darryl Burgess: Believes Comcast should list programs on Channel 55. He would like to see VHS maintained at the studio and resents people making money who put together access programs. Gary Andrews: Stated that he does not appreciate issues being brought to the Board's attention for 18 months with no concern from the Board. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Submitted by Karen Schmidt CITY-TV Manager Approv d by Viael Fadden, Chair DATE MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION AND CABLE ADVISORY BOARD City Council Council Conference Room 124 West Michigan Avenue Wednesday, March 14, 2007 _ CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 7:14 p.m. i C) w rn COMMITTEE MEMBERS ^_ James Fordyce,Member Michael McFadden, Chair n o Ida White, Member Monica Zuchowski,Vice Chair (7:18 p.m.) OTHERS PRESENT Gary Andrews, Access Producer Randy Hannan, Administration Darnell Oldham, Sr., Access Producer Michael Rhodes, Comcast Cable Christine Timmon, Access Producer Karen Schmidt, CITY-TV Manager, Board Secretary MEMBER WHITE MOVED THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 10, 2007 MEETING. APPROVED 3-0. Member Zuehowski arrives. PUBLIC COMMENT Christine Timmon: Discussed the minutes from a Telecommunications & Cable Advisory Board meeting of 2000 where someone commented that grants could not be awarded based on program content. She stated that free speech entitles producers to do programming about the City Council. She noted that the cost of insurance to place programming on Channel 17 is very high. Darnell Oldham, Sr.: Explained that he has been an access producer for 4 years and was present to answer questions pertaining to his grant application. He believes that grants should not be awarded based on program content. Gary Andrews: Passed out handouts titled"Other Views . . . Television" and"The Civil Program Line-up on Public Access Channel 16". He stated that the Board has no obligation to finance anyone and suggested that the Board use the grant monies for program awards based on merit. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS No communications or petitions. DISCUSSION AND PENDING ITEMS City Funding for Community Cablecasting Activities-Grant Applications Vice Chair Zuchowski suggested that for the next round of applications, applicants should attend the meeting to award grants so that they would be present to answer questions. The applicants should also be told in a letter that if they do not present receipts and a report from the previous years awarding,they will not receive a grant. Ms. Schmidt stated that the accounting issue is stated in the current Policies, however the Board has awarded grants without such items. Vice Chair Zuchowski stated that the Board should revise the Policies so that the statement is very clear on the Board's intent. There was discussion from the Board pertaining to grant award monies for set pieces. Michael Rhodes, Comcast, answered question with regards to what is currently available for access producers to use and the storage of such items. The applications were discussed and moved one at a time. MEMBER ZUCHOWSKI MOVED THE APPROVAL OF DARRYL BURGESS'S GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST OF $168.00 FOR 4 RCA CAMERA BATTERIES. APPROVED 4-0. MEMBER ZUCHOWSKI MOVED THE APPROVAL OF MICHAEL FIELDS' GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST OF 52 UMATIC 3/4"VIDEOTAPES AND 52 VHS T120 VIDEOTAPES. APPROVED 4-0. Chair McFadden asked to be recused from voting on Dee Freeman's grant request because he does some voice-overs for her program. MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED TO RECUSE CHAIR MCFADDEN FROM VOTING ON DEE FREEMAN'S GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST. APPROVED 3-0. MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED THE APPROVAL OF DEE FREEMAN'S GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST FOR 50 UMATIC 3/4"VIDEOTAPES, 25 VHS T60 VIDEOTAPES, 50 DVD-R AND $796.00 FOR SET PIECES. APPROVED 3-0. MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED THE APPROVAL OF DARNELL OLDHAM, SR.'S GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST FOR 30 UMATIC 3/4"VIDEOTAPES, 30 VHS T120 VIDEOTAPES AND 30 DVD-R. APPROVED 4-0. MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED THE APPROVAL OF CHRISTINE TIMMON'S GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST FOR 10 UMATIC 3/a"VIDEOTAPES, 40 VHS T30 VIDEOTAPES, 20 VHS T60 VIDEOTAPES, 20 VHS T120 VIDEOTAPES, 60 DVD-R AND $300.00 FOR SET PIECES. APPROVED 4-0. The Board will discuss recommendations for the remaining$4,898.00 in grant monies at its April 11th meeting. Member Zuchowski stated that a letter stating the need for awardees to produce a written usage report with receipts where appropriate, needs to be sent out with each grant. Member Fordyce stated that awarding grants for 3/a"videotapes was amazing to him due to the technologies current advances. It seemed more logical to give that money to Comcast to purchase a digital editing system and avoid videotape purchases completely. Michael Rhodes, Comcast, stated that a NewTek Video Toaster has recently been purchased for access producers' use. A problem lies with some producers not wanting to learn new techniques and equipment. REPORTS Comcast Mr. Rhodes handed out the current proposed Changes/Additions to the Lansing Public Access Rules. He feels that these will improve usage and incorporates previous concerns of the Board. Member Zuchowski thanked Mr. Rhodes for incorporating some of her concerns in this handout. Mr. Rhodes stated that he still could not report on any changes to Public Access due to the current legislative bill. Administration Mr. Hannan reported to the Board that the Administration has sent to Council an application for a new member for this Board, Matt Penniman. PUBLIC COMMENT Christine Timmon: Thanked the Board for recommending the approval of her grant. She believes the left over grant money should go back to Comcast Gary Andrews: Passed out a handout promoting his upcoming Saturday serials program, "Batman—The Graphic Novel in Film and TV"which does showcase some of the creative programming that is played on Channel 16. _-=:„ 1 - w' Darnell Oldham, Sr.: Thanked the Board for recommending the approval of his grant. He discussed the name of his program, Point—Counterpoint, and stated that is what access is all about. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Submitted by Karen Schmidt CITY-TV Manager Appro d by ichael cFadden, Chair �j c � DATE .--� �6 �� �. ��.. MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION AND CABLE ADVISORY BOARD City Council Council Conference Room 124 West Michigan Avenue Wednesday, January 10, 2007 CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m. COMMITTEE MEMBERS James Fordyce, Member Maria Garcia, Member G) Ida White, Member f;=j FFI C7 cri fii OTHERS PRESENT �. Gary Andrews, Access Producerrvi Randy Hannan, Administration Michael Rhodes, Comcast Cable Karen Schmidt, CITY-TV Manager, Board Secretary The meeting was called to order by member Ida White, who is the most senior of the members present. MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 13, 2006 MEETING. APPROVED 3-0. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS No cormnunications or petitions. DISCUSSION AND PENDING ITEMS City Funding for Community Cablecasting Activities The members discussed the timetable for sending out applications for public access grant requests and for having them returned. It was decided that applications would be mailed ��� �/� :mil �— s gs out as soon as possible, leaving some in the Council office for pickup and sending some out to the Public Access facility. Notice of the applications and deadline for submission will also appear on CITY-TV. Member Garcia suggested that more notice be given to prospective applicants. Randy Hannan stated that the Administration would place the notice on the City's webpage. The Board's next scheduled meeting is February 14, 2007. It was decided that that would not be enough time to expect applicants to receive the applications and return them to the Council Office for the Board's review. MEMBER FORDYCE MOVED THAT THE BOARD CHANGE THEIR NEXT MEETING DATE AND TIME TO MARCH 14 AT 7:00 PM, AT WHICH TIME THEY WILL DISCUSS THE GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST. APPROVED 3-0. REPORTS Comcast Mr. Rhodes stated that Comcast was still reviewing the current legislation, Bill 6456, He has no information on what may happen. Administration Mr. Hannan updated the members on the recent legislative Cable Franchise law and what it is purported to do. He stated that it replaces all current City franchises with a State franchise. Some of the highlights of the bill are as follows: Public Service Commission now administers cable related complaints, the bill eliminates in-kind services, and the City may receive a franchise fee of up to 5% and at the most 2% for PEG access. This bill is still surrounded by a fair amount of uncertainty. What is certain is that the City's franchise with Comcast has expired as of December 31, 2006. Mr. Hannan discussed the issue of a Community Media Center. He stated that they are fundamentally a non-profit organization that produces and disseminates information, be it radio, web pages, cable or print media. He stated the Administration is very interested in moving toward regionalizing this sort of operation. The benefits for the City are substantial and it technologically advances the community. He referenced the operation of such a facility in Grand Rapids that has a million dollar budget. He stated that the Board should be a part of conversations that the City may partake in on this issue. He referenced the two previous communications that the Board had sent to the Administration, and stated that the Administration will be aggressively working to fill the Board's membership. Also noted was that the Comcast customer programming complaint phone number was not fully operational but that the Administration will take a move in that direction. Member Fordyce stated that a Community Media Center has distinct advantages and that he is a big supporter of the concept. PUBLIC COMMENT Gary Andrews: Thanked the Board for promoting the Community Media Center concept. He stated that the environment at the public access facility is still status quo. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Submitted by Karen Schmidt CITY-TV Manager Approv d by 'chael McFadden, Chair DATE ���y-