HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Cable Communications Commission - 02/20/2006 MINUTES
CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
• February 20,2006
PRESENT
Chairperson Juan Garcia, Jr., Vice Chairperson Robert `Bob" White, Connie Gutierrez, , Dr. Bruce
Stratton,and Steve West
City Staff
Lisa Aguilar, Assistant City Attorney, Susan Cable, Director of E-Government Services and Holly
McCarty,E-Government Services
Cable Operators
None
Chairman Juan Garcia called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. and verified the necessary quorum. The
minutes from January 9, 2006 meeting were reviewed and approved. Bob White motioned to approve the
minutes and Dr.Bruce Stratton seconded the motion.All Commissioners approved.
1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO RULES AND
PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS CABLECASTING,SECTION 6 VIOLATION OF
RULES — Susan Cable explained the changes made to Section 6 to simplify the complaint
process. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to change Section 6a, paragraph 4, from "The Cable
Communications Commission shall hold the hearing for appeal within thirty (30) calendar days
from receipt by the City Secretary's Office of the notice of appeal. The appellant shall have at
least three(3) calendar days' notice of the hearing"to"The Cable Communications Commission
shall hold the hearing for appeal at the next scheduled meeting with adequate notice to the
producer."Juan Garcia seconded.All Commissioners approved.
2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DESIGNATION OF PUBLIC
INFORMATION COORDINATOR—Lisa Aguilar discussed the resolution passed by the City
Council directing each City board, committee and commission member to comply with the
training requirement of the Texas Public Information Act by designating the City Secretary as the
Public Information Officer. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to designate the City Secretary as the
Public Information Officer for the Cable Communications Commission.Juan Garcia seconded the
motion.All Commissioners approved.
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING OPEN MEETINGS ACT
TRAINING — Susan Cable explained that each Commissioner must complete training on the
Texas Open Meetings Act. She discussed that Commissioners appointed after January 1, 2006,
have 90 days to complete the training and Commissioners appointed before January 1,2006,have
one year to complete the training. She recommended the Commission conduct the training after
the March meeting and postpone the workshop until April.
4. DISCUSSION OF MARCH WORKSHOP — Susan Cable and the Commission discussed the
agenda for the upcoming workshop.
5. REVIEW AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING VIOLATION APPEAL—Juan Garcia
motioned to table this item until the end of the meeting to give Mark DiCarlo the opportunity to
present his appeal.Dr.Bruce Stratton seconded the motion.All Commissioners approved.
6. CABLE OPERATOR REPORTS—None
7. STAFF UPDATES — Susan Cable discussed complaints received regarding Channel 18. Juan
Garcia motioned to direct City staff to send a letter to Channel 18 requiring them to be present at
the next Cable Communications Commission meeting in March.Bob White seconded the motion.
All Commissioners approved.
8. PAUG UPDATES — Jack Gordy explained that he has sent out 20 letters to producers for tag
violations and he was hoping that the changes to the Rules and Procedures would include
information regarding DVD labeling. Mr. Gordy stated he has sent 24 letters to Time Warner
because of tapes that did not air and doesn't know how to solve the problem because there are no
sanctions against them. Susan Cable stated they could add the information regarding the DVD
labeling to review at the next meeting and take the group of amendments to Council.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT — Roland Garza stated he is concerned because every year during the
election season,Time Warner seems to have consistent problems with his show not getting aired.
10. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS — Bob White welcomed Connie Gutierrez to the
Commission. Juan Garcia asked if the public access guidelines for soliciting funds applied to
church members.
11. REVIEW AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING VIOLATION APPEAL — Mark
DiCarlo was not in attendance to present his appeal.Juan Garcia motioned to deny the appeal.Dr.
Bruce Stratton seconded the motion.All Commissioners approved.
12. ADJOURNMENT—Juan Garcia motioned to adjourn the meeting and Bob White seconded the
motion.All Commissioners approved.The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.