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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Cable Communications Commission - 07/12/1999 MINUTES OCT 200 . F'1 1 Corpus Christi Cable Communications Commission �''' " �� ® ClTexmit7";* ‘,." c i Corpus Christi City Hall-Council Chamber, 1201 Leopard Strut • July 12, 1999 `� Ort-iF; Cr, Committee Members Present: Chairperson Mary Beth Nelson, Norma�Torr'es and Hector Morales TCI Staff Present: Charles Hembree and Robert Hughes City Staff Present: Liza Ortiz, and P. C. Gracia The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mary Beth Nelson at 7:20 p.m. The first item on the agenda dealt with six requests from Mr. Ray Madrigal, President of CC Coffee Club, regarding his show, as well as, other public access channel recommendations. Madrigal stated that his program was reduced by one hour because his allotted time was given to a new program who requested a time slot. The hour that Madrigal referred to was a repeat showing of the Coffee Club. Robert Hughes from TCI, stated that anytime a new program requests time, a repeat hour can be assigned to them. Hudts stated that PAUG recommends that all new locally produced programs (new show) will be repeated within 6 days of the first cablecasting as space is available to TCI, if user produces a new show every week. There will be no repeat showing for those users who do not produce a new weekly program. Norma Torres made a motion to approve PAUG's recommendation. Motion was seconded by Morales and passed. _ Madrigal withdrew his request number two regarding reinstating lost time due to reduction of programming time. The third request made by Madrigal addressed the removal of all advertisement from public access channels. Hughes stated that TCI under the franchise could sell lease access ads as allowed by Form K. He added that most ads were in the morning or during the late evening hours. Mary Beth Nelson added that this item is bound by the franchise and cannot be addressed until the franchise is renewed. 1`3 Ct9"'�c • The fourth request stated that only religious shows be shown on Channel „10-and any (1/2-71e0 government shows be aired on Channel 20. Discussion on this item was centered around the concept that public access channels are open to anyone who wishes to use them whether on Channel 10 or 18. George Balli, PAUG President, stated that either channel could be used for public access shows based on court rulings. Nelson stated that the government channel should be used by City programming and other entities to inform the public instead of using other public access time. Request number 5 was not discussed due to the new PAUG recommendation that was adopted early in the meeting regarding time allotments for new programming. SCANNED r 2 Madrigal stated that his sixth- request was that all complaints against PEG programs be submitting in writing by complainant. Nelson stated that it would be difficult to do and that the franchise allows TCI the responsibility to administer PEG by the franchise. Torres added that TCI needsto investigate any complaint without it being in writing. Hector Morales stated that he agreed that the complaint should be in writing. Nelson added that TCI is the designated watchdog to enforce public access rules by the franchise. TCI can pull and review any tape for enforcement without a complaint if they catch a possible violation. Morales made a motion to have complaints in writing before TCI investigates alleged violation, but motion died due to a lack of a second. P. C. Gracia informed the Commission that the June 1, 1999 rate increase, submitted by TCI, had been reviewed by the consultant and it was determined that the Federal Communication Commission guidelines had been followed. He further stated that basic programming had decreased and expanded programming had increased. Charles Hembree, General Manager of TCI, stated that programming costs and inflation are part of the formula as allowed by the ' FCC. During the TCI report, Hembree stated that digital cable was introduced about one year ago and has 5,569 subscribers. He added that he believed that digital cable would grow slowly in Corpus Christi due to its strong expanded programming. Nelson inquired if some programs had been taken from expanded and placed in digital and if this was going to continue in the future. Hembree responded that TCI is limited in those channels to be moved depending on agreements made with specific purchased programs. Hembree also added that TCI is pursuing fiber optics and will start this project within 90 to 120 days. Hembree pointed out that microwave programming has been eliminated from the island. Charles Spe , 133845 Hawksnest Bay, stated that TCI quality of service has been bad in the island. He explained that during the past two years, outages have increased during bad weather. Mr. Isadore Cohen, 4705 Coventry Lane, stated that the franchise agreement makes TCI provide a good signal. He explained that he had had similar problems several years ago, but it was finally fixed. Hembree informed Ser that he would look into the matter to resolve his concern. c.e1( During public comment, George Balli, President of PAUG, 2826 WestMount, stated that PAUG - had discussed Madrigal's concerns and that they believed that fair recommendations were made to the Commission. He also had one request on how to deal with non-profit programs. He explained that PAUG would like to see the non-profit groups registered with City Secretary's office so that no one takes advantage of the system. He added that the non-profit groups should also identify themselves on the air. Nelson asked that this item be placed on the agenda for discussion at the next cable meeting. Cohen asked the Commission what could be done with the continual repeated programming on Channel 26-AMC. He explained that TCI has indicated that they have no control over this programming and that they only transmit the signal. Cohen stated that he had written AMC in New York and did not receive an answer. Cohen also inquired about addition of cultural shows r- 3 and operas to the city similar to the ones shown in Austin, Texas. Nelson suggested that TCI should do a public survey to determine community interests. Torres thanked TCI for their report and for donations to the graduation program. She also noted that the Padre Island issue has been around for a long time and that it should be remedied as quickly as possible. Morales stated that he was pleased to be aboard and wanted to thank the staff for being prompt with providing the agenda. He also added that Robert and Michael at TCI had been helpful, especially when he had some programs on public access. Nelson stated that her own program had just started on public access and that Robert and Michael were doing a great job. The next two meetings were scheduled for August 30, and October 18, 1999, respectively. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by ogki P. C. Gracia Management Assistant