Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Cable Communications Commission - 11/13/2000 i F p dl MINUTES V t\'� Corpus Christi Cable Communication Commission + L Corpus Christi City Hall-Council Chamber, 1201 Leopard Street November 13,2000 Committee Members Present: Chairperson Mary Beth Nelson,Charles Spencer, and Hect`b cMorales AT&T.Staff Present: Denise Starr,Arnie Cisneros,General Manager Gordon Harp,and Robert:Hugheg',' -' ' Clearsource,.Inc.Staff Present: Ray Perez,Cassie Robertson, Shawn Carroll City Staff Present: Lisa Aguilar,P. C. Gracia and Susan Cable The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mary Beth at 7:08 p.m. The minutes of the Cable Communications Commission meeting for April 10, 2000 were approved as submitted,with one correction indicating that Mr.Morales was not present at the meeting. The first agenda item considered was an issue involving two chapters of the American G.I. Forum. Robert Hughes told the Commission members that he had received a letter from the American G.I. Forum stating that another group, known as the Pvt. Felix Longoria Chapter was using their name without approval. Hughes stated that he had not found any violations of the cablecasting rules. Dr. Stuart Eliwitz, of the American G. I. Forum Chapter and a member of the Human Relations Commission, stated that the founding Chapter had been in Corpus Christi over 52 years. He stated that the Private Longoria Chapter was using their shield without approval and using derogatory terms of which they did not approve. In addition, stated that the Garcia Chapter would like to see a disclaimer by the Longoria Chapter stating that they were not representative of the G.I.Forum. Roland Garza of the Pvt. Longoria Chapter stated that theyhad received a national charter and permission to use the logo. Garza added that this was a personal matter between the chapters and it should not be handled at this meeting. He stated that they were not liked due to some unpopular things that they discuss on access. Hector T. Morales, stated that he was a member of the Longoria group and reclused himself from comments during this discussion. Mr. Gill Rodriguez, State Commander of Texas and National Board Member of Texas, of the Garcia Chapter stated that their constitution required members to be veterans. According to Rodriguez, Longoria Chapter did not have all veterans, had not been sanctioned by national and was not an approved chapter. According to Rodriguez,the Longoria Chapter had a national charter but not a state charter. Joe Ortiz, National Civil Rights Director for the Longoria Chapter, stated that he believed that Rodriguez was not a veteran. If we have violated any cable rules we are not aware of any Mr. Ortiz apologized for any bad behavior towards Mr.Rodriguez. Sal Sanchez stated that the Longoria Chapter had been recognized as outstanding.Chapter of the Year at a national meeting. He said that the Garcia Chapter was a Mexican organization and that Longoria was a national Chapter. Lupe Rodriguez, Austin G. I. Forum, clarified that Bob Sanchez is the appointed legal advisor of the American G. 1.Forum although his appointment of the chapter is not ratified. Chairman Nelson, after hearing some accusations from the floor, stated that she would not tolerate any name-calling, interruptions or racial remarks. Abel Garza,Longoria Chapter,stated that national does not have to ratify anyone. Chairman Nelson told the groups that the Cable Commission or AT&T did not find any violation of cable- casting on public access by the Longoria group. They advised the Longoria and Garcia group to seek unity SCANNED by working out this internal matter on their own. Commission member Spencer agreed that no cable- casting rules were violated. Nelson advised Longoria Chapter to clearly identify themselves. Nelson asked both groups to work out their differences. The second agenda item considered, was an appeal of a public access rules violation by Anthony Webb of his Black Collar Hour cablecast. Hughes stated that he received a letter from radio station Z-95 indicating that Mr. Webb used a recorded audio of the station on his access show without their permission to include name,address and a phone number. Hughes agreed that a violation,of advertisement had occurred. Mr. Webb stated that he had already contacted Z-95 and agreed not to use their audio but that was after the cablecast was presented on public access Channel 10. Mr. Webb stated that several years ago he had cut an album and needed some interviews during a music listening challenge known as the most requested song of the day. He stated that although his friends recorded the interviews,the copyrights to the show were owned by Z-95. Webb stated he edited the interviews from 6 years ago for the cablecast. He agreed with the rules but wanted to appeal because he had been accused of fraud. Webb added that Z-95 told him it was okay to play the tape on the air. Nelson added that if the Z-95 call letters and number had not appeared it would have been okay with Z-95. Webb apologized for any violation he committed. Nelson told Webb that the Commission's role was to determine if cablecasting rules were violated not to determine if fraud had occurred. Morales asked Webb if he had admitted unintentional use of Z-95 audio and logo and Webb said yes. Morales motioned to accept the infractions from Mr. Webb and to deny his appeal. Commission voted 3-0 to deny the appeal. Susan Cable, member of the city's AT&T franchise negotiation team, informed the Commission members that not much had happened since the last update. She stated that the City and AT&T had come to an impasse on the I-net and Public Access (PEG) channels. She further stated that in June, the City had stopped the negotiation process, but that they were still in the informal stage of the negotiations, however, the City had issued a letter to AT&T that a formal process could begin. The negotiation team met with Time Warner and agreed to begin the process in the near future. The City Council will consider an item on November 14, to approve the transfer from AT&T to Time Warner. Cable also stated that the City is working to resolve a Clearsource issue regarding the transmission of PEG Channel from AT&T. She also stated that the City has requested equipment, usage and related charges to running the PEG channels. The City may consider a non-profit group to run public access. Gordon Harp, Time Warner General Manager, stated that they have met with the city to clarify the requested items. Spencer added that some politicos would like PEG to go away. He added that perhaps multiple providers could share costs. Nelson added that the company (Time Warner) should agree to provide access under the franchise before they extend the franchise. Cable stated that Clearsource provided a capital grant for$250,000 for upgrades in the Council Chambers and for I-net. Ray Perez, Clearsource, Inc., said money was advanced so that as they build up customers the continuation of PEG channels via Clearsource would continue. He explained that the money advance was a way to accommodate PEG channels to the City and to continue PEG programs after the company's customer build- up occurs. Chairperson Nelson stated that the next agenda item dealt with complaints regarding the rebuild of AT&T and new install by Clearsource in the right-of-way. Ray Perez stated that he was representing Becky Weaver, who was going to make a representation to the City Council on this same issue on November 14. Perez acknowledged that they are taking measures to minimize any damages in easements, but stated that there would be complaints. He introduced Shawn Carroll, Director of Construction, during the installation phase. Carroll stated that Clearsource makes an honest effort by making personal contact with neighborhoods, writing articles in association papers, leaving door hangers with phone numbers and keeping logs of any concerns. He stated that they move fencing and they try to do the best to leave the area as it was. Carroll stated that these door tags are left a week and 48 hours prior to work beginning in the area. Gordon Harp, AT&T General Manager, stated that the bigger green boxes installed in front easement causes problems for homeowners. There was a discussion about how some easements are so small and crowded that it made for a difficult situation. Harp informed the Commission that AT&T had added 12 channels in the upgraded areas. He noted a particular problem in the island where customers have poured concrete over easements. AT&T will upgrade in Padre Island with plans to replace the microwave tower by January 2001. AT&T continues to work with SWBeII to keep the upgrade going: Harp added that the upgrade consists of fiber to neighborhood and coaxial to individual homes. Ray Perez reported that the building of the system continues. The main head-end building and office had a grand opening on September 20, with ex-Cowboy Randy White appearing on Saturday. He stated that 102 miles of line had been completed including 60 miles underground and 19 front of homes and businesses. Carroll added that they are concentrating on areas where more aerial wiring is available. Carroll stated that the area from Staples to SPID and Staples to Ennis Joslin was completed. He said that work is currently being done on Weber to Everhart and SPID south to York Town Road. Morales asked Hughes if anyone from Del Mar College had approached him about cablecasting of their regents meetings. Hughes replied that no one had requested any information. There were no comments from the public. Morales commended Nelson for the handling of the G. I. Forum issue at the beginning of the meeting. Spencer commended AT&T for presentation to the schools with VCRs during the year. The next meeting was scheduled for January 15,2001. Meeting adjourned at 9:41 p.m. Submitted by 41i) 11 I 4 1 I I I• P.C.Gracia