HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Cable Communications Commission - 02/23/1998 ��9�2782g`,Q
Corpus Christi Cable Communications Commission ; i,'?+ •
February 23, 1998 'eNtN
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Minutes of the Cable Communications Commission meeting held Octobe N, 199Viii the Council
Chamber at City Hall, 1201 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, Texas. of
2' t vi, 7,%m
Meeting called to order by Chairperson Mary Beth Nelson at 7:08 P.M.
Members present: Mary Beth Nelson,Norma Torres and Evelyn Lott
City Staff Present: Lisa Ortiz Aguilar and P. C. Gracia
TCI Staff: Randy Grimes and Robert Hughes
Chairperson Mary Beth Nelson called meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
Approval for minutes of the October 13, 1997 meeting were postponed until the next scheduled
meeting by Ms.Nelson to allow the absent members to vote on them.
Ms.Nelson asked Robert Hughes from TCI to explain agenda item#3 regarding a possible violation
on channel 10 by the band"Thre 3". Robert Hughes stated that TCI has received several complaints
regarding the band "Thre 3" consisting of a bulletin board type ad that included a commercial
establishment phone number and address to call for free materials. The guidelines established for
public access channels consider this to be violation of the rules. A second violation on the show
indicated that free stickers and CD's were available and it gave a P.O.BOX address on the screen.
Hughes also received a complaint regarding the use of the term"Love Offerings"requested on the
show with a P.O.BOX address appearing on the screen. Hughes did not think they were requesting
money but a complaint was filed with TCI. Hughes stated that Mr. Pawlak is protesting the free
stickers allegation because he does not believe that it's a violation.
Mr. Pawlak from "Thre 3" stated that the band had been doing the show for about four years
providing free stickers and information on God for free. Pawlak informed the Commission that
similar shows had been done in the past. He was now confused about what could be allowed on the
• show. The show with the free stickers was performed outside the Swing Street Café and it was a free
show with no charge. On the same show I asked for"Love Offerings"but we have never asked for
money stated Pawlak. He also said the band voluntarily removed their phone number and are
receiving their mail at TCI. Pawlak called another show on their screen number and they were ready
to sell him a surfboard. Commission member Norma Tones stated that"love offering"could easily
be misinterpreted and suggested change to"verbal love offering". Member Evelyn Lo tt stated that
love offering in a church context meant monetary connotation. Liza Ortiz referred the Commission
to section K of the guidelines as an example similar to this violation. After some discussion it was
determined that a specific location was given thus a violation has occurred. Nelson added that public
access channels were not to be advertisement channels.
SCANNED .
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Corpus Christi Cable Communications Commission
February 23, 1998
Page 2
Nelson questioned Pawlak about the Rex Gabriel incident regarding a possible obscenity charge.
Ms. Aguilar was not prepare to discuss the item nor had reviewed the tape. Nelson asked that this
item be placed on agenda for the next meeting. Ms. Aguilar added that obscenity violation are
usually forwarded to the County Attorney for their review. Ms. Torres made a motion that an
advertising violation by "Thre 3" occurred and it was seconded by Ms. Lott. Motion carried 3-0
whereby a letter of reprimand will be given to Thre 3.
Pawlak then asked about keeping his P.O. Box on the air so people could keep getting their free
material. Torres said she had a problem with Thre 3 receiving mail at TCI. Randy Grimes, TCI
General Manager, suggested that TCI not receive Thre 3 mail and instead suggested placing a
message on the screen that if someone wanted to write the band at the following P. O.Box it would
be allowed. Pawlak said he could abide by that.
Nelson suggest that Item 5 regarding D. J. Smiths suggestion on PAUG be discussed at next
meeting.Nelson stated that Smith proposal was to set up a new separate studio which is not within
the authority of the Commission. Randy Grimes stated that it references turning over public access
to the City for operatation by a group of individuals or commission on a day to day basis. Nelson
suggested that Smith should bring it to the attention of City Council for discuss during franchise
negotiations.
The next item on the agenda dealt with three public access requests by Ron Hudson. Hudson stated
that Channel 18 had recently been changed where programming should not meet a religious test to
be on the air after my years of discussion. Hudson now states that he has a problem with having to
pay some dues in order to place tapes on the air. He believes that this is a direct violation of the
intent of public access. He asked that the Commission recommend that there should be no fee to
place programming on the air. Ms. Ortiz added that there have been some cases where access user
groups have been allowed to adopt rules and charge a small fee. It is her belief that requiring fees
are in itself illegal. Hughes added that the purpose of the fee was like an administrative fee for
handling of tapes to and from the TCI studios. Hudson stated that if rules provided a free channel
for free expression then there must be something wrong to charge for placement of tapes in the air.
Hudson questioned why he should pay for tapes placement in Channel 18 and not Channel 10.
Nelson suggested that for next meeting that PAUG be invited to the next meeting to discuss item.
Hudson added that perhaps fee should be voluntary.
The second request discussed by Hudson was related to part of the Ordinance that requires TCI to
supply another access channel if in the opinion of the,City they are fully utilized. Nelson states that
there is repetitive programs on access channels. Hudson stated that if one of the channels was fully
utilized then TCI should supply another access channel. Nelson asked TCI to provide some statistics
for the next meeting about non-repetitive programming on both channels. Randy Grimes added that
another criteria for expansion of access channel would be allowed provided that the addition would
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Corpus Christi Cable Communications Commission
February 23, 1998
Page 3
not exceed capacity of the system. He also added that TCI is at capacity and that would require a
Channel(s)to be dropped from the current system. Nelson told Hudson that stats would be reviewed
and the item would be revisited.
Nelson then asked Hudson to comment on his 3`d proposal regarding political advertisement.
Hudson stated that the political advertisement rules on public access were nonsense and it was none
of anybody's business what anyone places on public access. He added that there are only 2
paragraphs in FCC rules regarding public access. Hudson states that the law requires adherence to
not showing anything obscene, indecent or related to nudity or as protected by the Constitution.
There should be no control or censorship on what is placed on the air regarding political candidates
according to Hudson. He suggested that the Commission repeal these restrictions. Political
advertisements should not be restricted according to Hudson. Nelson suggest that staff get
information from other cities for further discussion at next meeting.
Grimes discussed the TCI reports indicating that all construction projects were completed in 1997
as planned. He reported that TCI had 60,508 basic subscribers. He also reported that the
Holyfield/Moorer fight had 393 buys. On December 28, 1997,TCI officially launched Digital Cable
adding 35 new channels to the system. The cost is$10 according to Grimes. A new billing system
will replace the current one for TCI subscribers. Grimes stated that the microwave signal to the
island had to be realigned as a result of the high sign placed by the Cracker Barrel restaurant. Nelson
added that she had calls regarding service in the island.
Robert Hughes presented the access hours for November, December 1997and January 1998. He
stated that the totals do not include lease or local origination on Channel 10. Hughes informed the
commission that PAUG meet in October with 20 people discussed the issue regarding Rey Madrigal.
Agenda item#4 regarding the franchise renewal was postponed until the next meeting.
There was no public comment.
Commission scheduled the next meeting for April 13, 1998.
Meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Submitted by:
CaCC
P. C. Gracia Management Assistant