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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Cable Communications Commission - 10/17/2005 • MINUTES CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION \ �� • October 17,2005 e� rr o� r• PRESENT ABSENT �-� Chairperson Juan Garcia,Jr.,Robert"Bob" White Sylvia Dancer :rs,,;' ;Jr; ,j Dr. Bruce Stratton, and Steve West rFF ' ,�'`"S ; • City Staff �� �, i' Lisa Aguilar, Assistant City Attorney, Susan Cable, Director of E-Government Serv?ee ly McCarty,E-Government Services Cable Operators Dottie Lane, Grande Communications Chairman Juan Garcia called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. and verified the necessary quorum. The minutes from September 12, 2005 meeting were reviewed and approved. Dr. Stratton motioned to approve the minutes and Bob White seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. 1. CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION PROCEDURES — Susan Cable noted that there are no regulations regarding excused absences. Bob White asked if there were examples of what other boards and commissions had established in their rules pertaining to absences. Juan Garcia said he thought a sub-committee should be formed and he will be the chair. Ms. Cable informed the Commission their next meetings were scheduled for November 21' and December 12th in the City Council chambers. Mr. Garcia asked if the December meeting could be changed to December 19th to the 6th floor conference room. Ms. Cable responded she would check on that and get back to the Commission. Ms. Cable informed the Commission they need to appoint a Vice-Chair. Mr. Garcia nominated Bob White. Mr. White accepted. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to approve the nomination of Mr. White as Vice Chair and Juan Garcia seconded. All Commissioners approved. 2. REVIEW AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON UPDATES TO RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS CABLECASTING — Susan Cable explained this item is a result of a meeting held with Time Warner, Channel 10 PAUG, Channel 18 PAUG and Commissioner Bob White. Juan Garcia asked Mr. White to summarize the meeting for the Commission. Mr. White reported it was difficult getting started, but they were able to define producer, locally produced programming and touched on how a tape is prepared. He said the group attempted to streamline the rules to make them more definitive and he was satisfied with the outcome. Mr. Garcia said he thought the definition of producer was too long. Dr. Bruce Stratton asked Mr. Garcia what he would eliminate. Mr. Garcia said he would eliminate the last three sentences. Mr. Stratton expressed that he didn't find any problems with the definition and thinks this is the type of situation you must be very definitive or the door could be left open for other problems. Ms. Cable told the Commission that Mr. Gordy distributed another request to change black to blank in Section 2, Identification. Steve West stated that from a technical standpoint, he does not see a problem using black, asked if it will affect the cable operators and stated that blank is too general of a term. Mr. White stated that the problem is that some producers use blue and that Time Warner has been contacted, but they have not heard back from them. Mr. White asked Mr. Gordy he would be happy with it saying"blue/black". Mr. Gordy accepted. Jack Gordy discussed that in Section 1, Rules for Participation, the statement, "No non-locally produced program shall be transmitted on public access channels 10 or 18 that is transmitted on any television station or cable system in the United States where compensation is required for transmission of said program" is confusing and everything behind "18" should be taken off. Dr. SCANNED Bruce Stratton motionea to take out"that is transmitted on any televS;o1, station or cable system in the United States where compensation is required for transmission of said program" on page 2 of the Rules and Procedures. Bob White seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. Mr. White motioned to accept the Rules and Procedures with recommended changes approved during the Commission meeting. Dr. Bruce Stratton seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. 3. DISCUSSION OF GRANDE'S APPLICATION FOR A STATE FRANCHISE — Ms. Aguilar explained that Grande Communications submitted their request for a state franchise. Bob White expressed to Dottie Lane, Grande Communications, he was disappointed with them because during a meeting held between Grande, the City and himself, it was understood that Mr. Lewis would notify the City and the Commission in advance if Grande was going to apply for a state franchise. Mr. White asked Ms. Lane what Grande's intentions were with the PEG channels and if they were going to allow the channels to continue as 10, 18, 19 and 20. Ms. Lane responded that there has not been any discussion about any changes to PEG. Mr. White asked Ms. Lane about the complaint process. Ms. Lane responded that she would still take care of complaints locally and stay in contact with the City and the Commission. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT — Jack Gordy stated the meeting with the City, Time Warner and the Commissioner went fairly smooth; however, Connie Gutierrez, the Senior Vice President of PAC10, was not able to attend the meeting because they were told only one representative from each PAUG was allowed to attend the meeting but Channel 18 had two representatives who attended the meeting. Mr. White complimented Mr. Gordy on his attentiveness to resolve the production date issue. Mr. White indicated he did not know two Channel 18 representatives would attend and he suggested that Mr. Gordy call Ms. Gutierrez and invite her to attend. However, Mr. Gordy Ms. Gutierrez was at a doctor's appointment. Virginio Gomez told the Commission he felt that public access could profit and move forward from the experience of the new Commissioners who were appointed. Mr. Gomez also wanted to know if Time Warner could file for a state franchise. Mr. White told him no, but that in the Master Franchise it says that one franchisee may not have greater responsibility than the other and he also explained that Time Warner has filed a law suit to try to seek changes in the bill and that this issue is a long way from over. Jerome Bradford commended the Commission for getting along with Channel 10, was upset about the noon time meetings. Mr. Bradford said it is unfair and deprives those producers who can not attend the noon meetings due to work commitments. Susan Cable explained that the Commission added eight meetings to their regular calendar and that the evening meetings will still occur. Ms. Cable stated that the extra meetings give the Commission more opportunities to discuss industry related matters and not just public access concerns and explained that the PAUG board of directors is the voice for the producers. Ms. Gutierrez said she would like to meet the new Commissioner. Ed Montez said Mr. Gordy is doing a great job and wants to plea with the Commission regarding the definition of producer and feels the rules should stay the same. Juan Garcia welcomed Steve West. Mr. West stated he is a Chief Engineer at KRIS TV and was asked to be on this board for his technical knowledge. 5. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS — Dr. Bruce Stratton says he thinks the Commission is making progress and they will be very adamant about being there for the producers. Bob White said he does think public access is important and would be happy to share suggestions with Jack Gordy for better programming. Mr. White stated he will be attending the lotteries for Channel 10 and 18. Juan Garcia stated he would like to see a staff presentation on WIFI,review of new Rules and Procedures, and possible funding mechanisms for public access on future agendas. 6. ADJOURNMENT—Bob White motioned to adjourn the meeting and Dr. Stratton seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. The meeting adjourned at 1:08 p.m.