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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Cable Communications Commission - 03/20/2006 r - MINUTES CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION March 20,2006 PRESENT ABSENT Chairperson Juan Garcia,Jr. Connie Gutierrez Vice Chairperson Robert`Bob"White Steve West Dr.Bruce Stratton City Staff Lisa Aguilar, Assistant City Attorney, Susan Cable, Director of E-Government Services and Holly McCarty,E-Government Services Cable Operators Paula Smith,Time Warner Cable Chairman Juan Garcia called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and verified the necessary quorum. The minutes from February 20, 2006 meeting were reviewed and approved. Bob White motioned to approve the minutes and Juan Garcia seconded the motion.All Commissioners approved. 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS CABLECASTING — Susan Cable explained minor clarifications that were made to the Rules and Procedures regarding tape/DVD labels, applications, repeat program schedule, and violation notification. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to approve the Rules and Procedures.Bob White seconded.All Commissioners approved. 2. DISCUSSION OF APRIL WORKSHOP— Susan Cable reviewed the agenda for a workshop on FCC technical requirements,cable a la carte,and BITS legislation. The Commission agreed to set the workshop date according to when Steve West could provide a summary of the technical requirements. 3. REVIEW AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING VIOLATION APPEAL — Mondo Camino submitted an appeal to the Cable Communications Commission regarding his show.Jack Gordy explained that Mr. Camino turned in his tapes late in December and January. Mr. Gordy sent Mr. Camino a warning letter in January and a violation letter in February. Mr. Camino explained that he is operating a non-profit organization and that, since they have been working on a project since October 2005, he.was unable to meet the dates for submitting his public access program.Mr. Camino ensured the Commission that he now hasmore time to focus on getting his program turned in on time. Bob White reaffirmed with Mr. Camino that if the Commission granted the appeal, Mr. Camino would be able to submit his program on time. Juan Garcia. motioned to grant the appeal.Dr.Bruce Stratton seconded.All Commissioners approved. Valerie Bowman was not in attendance to present her appeal. Juan Garcia motioned to deny the appeal.Dr.Bruce Stratton seconded.All Commissioners approved. 4. CABLE OPERATOR REPORTS—Paula Smith discussed their community outreach programs, Eyes and Ears campaign, the new Family Choice Tier, and presented the Commission with a brochure explaining the new channel lineup. SCANNED 5. STAFF UPDATES — Susan Cable discussed a complaint received by a citizen regarding the phone service by Time Warner.Paula Smith responded that they have contacted the citizen many times concerning this complaint and stated that this complaint is not a city franchise issue. 6. PAUG UPDATES —Jack Gordy, representing Channel 10, explained that he continues to send letters to producers for violations and Time Warner for programming concerns. Marty Wind, representing Channel 18, stated that they reviewed all the tapes that were recently submitted and found that 32 were non-compliant. Mr. Wind explained that they were sent letters stating the violation and they had two weeks to fix the problems. He stated that he reviewed the list of programs, and each has a different producer. Mr. Wind indicated that, since the main problems were with identification and tagging,once this is clarified,he was confident that there will be less confusion. Reverend Murphrey stated many producers have a hard time believing all the changes to the Rules and Procedures and they don't have the time to check all the tapes. Ms. Cable presented a copy of a letter sent to Channel 18 explaining the changes that needed to be made to their by-laws. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT —Jack Gordy stated that producers must vote on approved by-laws and that Pat with Channel 18 said she has never sent out a violation letter.He stated he took a copy of his violation letters to Channel 18, as well as a copy of their schedule marked with those programs that had violations. Virginio Gomez stated that he first tried to get a program with Channel 18, but was told he could not have a program until the next lottery and the Caller-Times program schedule states Time Warner Religious Channel 18. 8. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS — Dr. Bruce Stratton stated Channel 18 should not blame their problems on new rules because they are old rules that have been ignored. Bob White remarked that he thinks Channel 18 should make compliance with the Rules and Procedures a high priority item because actions will be taken by the Commission to ensure the Rules and Procedures are followed.Juan Garcia told Channel 18 the Commission is there to help them. 9. ADJOURNMENT — Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to adjourn the meeting and Bob White seconded the motion.All Commissioners approved.The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.