HomeMy WebLinkAboutCable Advisory Board 2005 Minutes MINUTES
TELECOMMUNICATION AND CABLE ADVISORY BOARD
City Council Council Conference Room
124 West Michigan Avenue
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
CALL TO ORDER �s 1
Meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS CP
Sherie Davy, Chair
Letitia Fowler, Vice Chair
Greg Starks, Member
Ida White, Member
OTHERS PRESENT
Gary Andrews, Access Producer/Grant Applicant
Darryl Burgess, Access Producer/Grant Applicant
Leslie Brogan, Comcast Cable, Governmental Relations
Gretchen Cochran, City Pulse
Michael Fields, Access Producer/Grant Applicant
Dee Freeman, Access Producer/Grant Applicant
Michael Rhodes, Comcast Cable, Access Manager
Karen Schmidt, CITY-TV
Christine Timmon, Access Producer/Grant Applicant
Margo Vroman, Law Department
MEMBER FOWLER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 8,
2004. APPROVED 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Darryl Burgess: He has been producing Required Viewing since 1979 and is very proud
of the work he has done. He is here to answer questions pertaining to his grant request.
The Public Access signal for the last 3 weeks has been very good. He has been
complaining about this for 2 years and is thrilled to see the problem being taken care of.
Gary Andrews: Handed in a revision to his grant request for fewer funds than was
previously requested. One of the proposed programs at this time can not be met. Gary
supplied a portion of the Lansing State Journal to boardmembers, which named people
who were in arrearage of taxes to the City. One of those people listed was a grant
applicant.
Christine Timmon: Praised her programs and the signal put out by Comcast. Believes
channel 16 is much better than channel 12. She told the boardmembers that she would
put the required verbiage on the ends of her programs. Her not fulfilling this requirement
as part of the acceptance of a grant was a complaint that was previously brought to the
board.
Dee Freeman: Poetry In Motion is a program that highlights poetry and the arts. She is
here to discuss her show and answer any questions.
Michael Fields: Discussed Comcast's signal. He is present to answer question pertaining
to his request.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
- Ltr., L. Brogan, Comcast, Response to Board's letter of 12/10/04
- Ltr., L. Brogan, Comcast, Changes to Channel Lineup (Pay-per-View programming)
Ms. Brogan introduced Mike Rhodes. He is the newly Public Access Manager. Member
Fowler thanked Comcast for providing a list of Public Access equipment. She believes it
is helpful information in providing grants.
MEMBER FOWLER MOVED TO RECEIVE AND PLACE ON FILE THE
COMMUNICATIONS. APPROVED 4-0.
DISCUSSION AND PENDING ITEMS
Public Access Grants
Chair Davy stated that it is the Board's policy not to fund incomplete applications. Mr.
Trice's application did not have any price quotes or cablecasting commitment letter by
Comcast. Boardmembers questioned Mr. Fields pertaining to his requested backdrop and
last years grant for a logo. Ms. Timmon was questioned about the miscellaneous items
she was requesting. She answered that she would like to get new plants and a small
table, last time she used the money for fabric. Boardmembers further questioned Ms.
Freeman and Mr. Andews about their requests.
Due to a conflict of interest stated by Member White, Chair Davy asked to separate out
the grant request of Ammahad Shekarakki.
MEMBER FOWLER MOVED TO APPROVE THE ATTACHED PUBLIC ACCESS
GRANT REQUESTS. APPROVED 3-1.
MEMBER FOWLER MOVED TO APPROVE THE GRANT REQUEST OF
AMMAHAD SHEKARAKKI. APPROVED 3-0 (Member White abstaining)
REPORTS
Ms. Schmidt reported that there are a couple of new potential members being
interviewed. They may be onboard by the next scheduled meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Darryl Burgess: Thank you for the grant.
Gary Andrews: He was a participant in the original Ad Hoc Committee pertaining to
access channels and public access. The Religious channel is a leased access channel.
This needs to be looked at during re-negotiations. He is very concerned because the
owners of Comcast do not regard public access. Requests that the Board re-assume
duties of old and cablecast meetings.
Christine Timmon: Thank you for the grant. She believes that there is lots of room on
channel 16 for religious programs. And when people complain about the price of cable,
they don't need to buy every channel. They should only purchase what they can afford.
Basic cable is not that expensive.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Submitted by
Karen Schmidt
CITY-TV Manager
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