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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Cable Communications Commission - 08/21/2006 enA ,,51r177c4`�, MINUTES /" ```^ 's' • `� CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION r D August 21,2006 ;)'' \"/ c. PRESENT \`",� < Vice Chairperson Robert"Bob"White, Fred Greenberg, Connie Gutierrez, Dr. Bruce Stratton-Stege GZ West City Staff • Susan Cable, Director of E-Government Services, Lisa Aguilar, Assistant City Attorney and Holly Houghton,E-Government Services Cable Operators Paula Smith,Time Warner Cable Dottie Lane, Grande Communications Vice Chairman Bob White called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. and verified the necessary quorum. The minutes from July 17, 2006 meeting were reviewed. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to approve the minutes and Steve West seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ELECTION OF OFFICERS — Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to nominate Bob White for Chairperson. Fred Greenberg seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. Mr. White motioned to nominate Dr. Bruce Stratton as Vice Chairperson. Steve West seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. 2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROCESS FOR CABLE OPERATORS PASS THROUGH GRATNS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS EQUIPMENT—Susan Cable discussed that$7,000 has not been sent to the City Council for appropriation because there has not been a process established by the Commission for disbursement of the funds for public access equipment. With regard to the remainder of the appropriated grant funds, she explained that the Channel 10 PAUG recently requested and received funds for certain items approved by the Commission. However, the actual purchase included items that were not requested by the Channel 10 PAUG and approved for purchase by the Commission. Jack Gordy explained that he could not purchase the batteries in the original request because they had to be special ordered, so he replaced the batteries with external microphones for the cameras. Dr. Stratton motioned to approve the amended list of items in lieu of the original request approved by the Commission on the July 17, 2006 meeting. Steve West seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. Mr. White assigned Steve West and Dr. Bruce Stratton to a committee to discuss unappropriated funds and a grant process, and provide recommended procedures to the commission at a later date. 3. DISCUSSION AND UPDATE FROM TIME WARNER REGARDING EXPANTION OF CABLE SERVICES TO DOWNTOWN AREA— Paula Smith, Time Warner Cable, provided an update of cable services in the downtown area. She emphasized that the Time Warner obligation to the City is residential and services beyond that are separate from franchise requirements. She indicated that the downtown area does not have high density population with a walk out of properties, Time Warner determined the area is filled with many parking lots and abandoned buildings. She also stated that Time Warner is in discussions with several individual property owners to provide cable services to those areas. Ms. Smith stated she would be happy to discuss this area with any group and will continue to provide updates to the Commission. SCANNED 4. DISCUSSION REGARDING TIME WARNER COMPLAINTS — Bob White stated that Commissioner Steve West witnessed the tape drop-off process and reviewed a tape from Latrice Sellers. Steve West explained that the tape he observed contained bad video which would cause a buzz in a large number of set players and Time Warner's equipment was not found to be faulty. He also explained that the kind of microphone being used is a shotgun microphone which is designed to pick up all sorts of background noises. Jack Gordy noted that there has not been tampering of any tapes and this issue has been on-going for four years. Mr. Gordy noted he informed Ms. Sellers of the meeting and gave her a list of the next Commission meeting dates. Barbara Sellers, mother of Latrice Sellers, commented that their concern with the particular tape discussed, was the tape ran without incident during the first scheduled timeslot, but the next time the program was aired, there was a lot of noise in the audio. Ms. Sellers also stated that she feels uncomfortable dropping tapes off to a residence. Mr. White remarked that he does not feel anyone is intentionally tampering with tapes and the Commission is concerned with the issue and is working towards a resolution. 5. REVIEW AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING VIOLATION APPEALS— a. Shawn English —Jack Gordy explained that Mr. English failed to turn in a tape for two consecutive weeks and this was his first violation for his monthly program. Mr. English explained that there is a lot of confusion due to scheduling irregularities. He stated that he will turn in a tape for the next month, but that his old tape still plays for a couple of weeks after his new tape has been turned in. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to grant the appeal. Steve West seconded. All Commissioners approved. b. Josh DeLeon — Jack Gordy commented that Mr. DeLeon has a monthly show and was late turning in tapes for July and August. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to grant the appeal with the condition that he is not late turning in tapes from this point forward and if he does turn in a tape late, his program can be pulled immediately. Fred Greenberg seconded. All Commissioners approved. c. Mark DiCarlo — Bob White acknowledged the letter received from Mr. DiCarlo asking the Commission to postpone until 6:00 p.m. Mr. Gordy verified that Mr. DiCarlo does have a copy of the latest Rules and Procedures. Susan Cable asked Mr. Gordy to clarify why a tape was due on July 28 for the August program, since the Rules and Procedures states the producer must turn in a tape during the first two weeks of the month. Mr. Gordy responded that a tape was due on July 28 because the first week in August for Mr. DiCarlo's program to run was the next week. Mr. White discussed the clarity of the language in the Rules and Procedures. Steve West commented that monthly programs should be submitted prior to the month it is scheduled to air. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to deny the appeal submitted by Mr. DiCarlo. Fred Greenberg seconded. Dr. Bruce Stratton, Fred Greenberg and Connie Gutierrez approved. Bob White and Steve West disapproved. Motion passed. 6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SUBMISSION OF POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION—Susan Cable recommended that the Commission set up the following process for submitting an agenda item request: a written request should be submitted to the City seven working days or 10 calendar days prior to the next scheduled Commission meeting. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to approve the recommendation. Fred Greenberg seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. • 7. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC ACCES CABLECASTING — Susan Cable suggested to the Commission that they have a thorough review of the Rules and Procedures since the Commission has already approved some changes and several additional changes have been proposed. Bob White asked the City to schedule a meeting with Channel 10 PAUG, Channel 18 PAUG, Time Warner, the City, Mr. Fred Greenberg, and Ms. Connie Gutierrez to review the Rules and Procedures. 8. CABLE OPERATOR REPORT — Paula Smith, Time Warner Cable, discussed their community projects. Dottie Lane, Grande Communications, discussed their work with the food bank and with CCPD and Walgreens on their Wishes and Dreams program. 9. STAFF UPDATE — Susan Cable stated the Commission was provided a copy of a summary of the national franchise bill for their review. She also reviewed training requirements for Commissioners. 10. PAUG UPDATES —Jack Gordy remarked that he thinks that Mr. Mark DiCarlo will appeal the decision made by the Cable Communications Commission to the City Council. 11. PUBLIC COMMENT—none 12. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS—none 13. ADJOURNMENT — Fred Greenberg motioned to adjourn the meeting and Dr. Bruce Stratton seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. The meeting adjourned at 1:43 p.m.