Minutes Cable TV Teleprogramming Commission 7 1 08
MINUTES OF CABLE COMMUNITY TELEPROGRAMMING COMMISSION MEETING
July 1, 2008
CITY HALL ANNEX – 2nd FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM #2
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Sr. Carol Hoverman, Pauline Maloney, Jennifer Tigges, George Herrig.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Burton Everist, Al Vincent, Tom McDonough.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Jim Barefoot, Mediacom
Craig Nowack, City of Dubuque Cable TV Coordinator
Ms. Tigges called the meeting to order at 4:09 p.m.
1. Acceptance of the Agenda
Upon a motion by Ms. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Herrig, the agenda was accepted as
published unanimously.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the May 6, 2008, Meeting
Upon a motion by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Ms. Maloney, the Minutes of the May 6,
2008, Commission meeting were approved unanimously.
3. Public Comment
Sr. Hoverman stated that the Loras College ordination program audio on Channel 17 was
very low and difficult to hear. Mr. Barefoot explained that he had had a problem with his
routing switcher in the public access control room that was the cause of this low audio.
That problem is now fixed.
4. Access Equipment Expenditures
The Business Professionals of America group at Wahlert High School presented a request
for $5,181.23 for an iMac editing computer and production equipment including a camera,
tripod, a microphone, and a DVC video recorder. The Christian Leadership Class
submitted an identical request. The Commissioners considered whether two identical
requests should both be granted or whether some of the items, in particular the editing
system, could be shared. Common consensus was that the amount of material coming out
of Wahlert and the logistics of sharing the equipment warranted two systems. A motion by
Sr. Hoverman for up to $5,200.00 for each system, seconded by Ms. Maloney, was
approved unanimously.
Mr. Nowack presented a request for $1,205.50 on behalf of the City for some
miscellaneous production supplies including new lapel and handheld microphones, a hard-
drive case, and some other items. A motion by Mr. Herrig to approve up to $1,250.00 for
this request, seconded by Sr. Hoverman, was approved unanimously.
Mr. Nowack presented a request for $7,350.00 for an HD camcorder and related supplies
to give the City the capability to videotape in high definition. A motion by Ms. Maloney to
approve up to $7,500.00 for this request, seconded by Mr. Herrig, was approved
unanimously.
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Mr. Nowack then presented a request for $13,000.00 on behalf of the County Board of
Supervisors to enable the Supervisors meetings to be televised live via I-Net fiber rather
than utilizing the B cable. He stated that this grant would enable CityChannel 8 to receive
any properly patched audio/video signal from the I-Net. Mr. Herrig noted that this was the
first I-Net-related request to come before the Commission and that others might be coming
soon. A motion by Mr. Herrig to approve up to $13,000.00 for this request, seconded by
Sr. Hoverman, was approved unanimously.
Mr. Barefoot presented a request for $6,697.27 on behalf of Brent Mills and Jefferson
Middle School for two camcorders, tripods, mini DV recorders, and a monitor and stand.
This equipment would upgrade the facilities there away from VHS recording and into the
digital age. A motion by Sr. Hoverman for approving up to $6,800.00 for this request,
seconded by Mr. Herrig, was approved unanimously.
5. Grant Application Threshold
Upon a motion by Mr. Herrig, seconded by Ms. Maloney, this item was tabled until the next
meeting.
6. Access Programming and Promotion
Mr. Barefoot asked for the Commission’s input on a policy regarding the promotion of
businesses on the public access channels. He noted that a recent Loras College
production had what appeared to be a commercial for a local business embedded in it.
The commercial has since been removed, but he wondered what constituted acceptable
video for a local business. He also wondered if ribbon-cutting ceremonies for local
businesses were acceptable. Ms. Tigges stated that the old rules & regulations book
allowed commercial underwriting similar to what is on public television.
7. Mediacom Cable Report
Mr. Barefoot reported that the new servers and surge protectors were being installed. He
hopes to have the new automation system on the air in about a week.
8. Cable TV Division Report
Mr. Nowack said that he and new Video Producer Erich Moeller are thick in the production
of programming. A week ago they taped their first program in the Media Room studio at
the Historic Federal Building. They also taped shows on location at Four Mounds and the
Fire Training Facility. Now that the Video Producer shoots the B roll and edits it into the
show, programs are getting produced more often.
Mr. Herrig said he appreciated the letter Mr. Nowack sent to the School District regarding
the new grant policy and the airing of locally produced videos.
Sr. Hoverman noted that the Telegraph-Herald is no longer putting any local access
listings in the TV Times and wondered if we had been contacted about that. Mr. Nowack
informed her that he received a phone call from Brian Cooper the week before it
happened. Mr. Nowack said he is continuing to supply CityChannel 8 listings to the paper
for use on their website.
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Mr. Nowack also informed the Commission that the Sixth Circuit Court hearing the appeal
of the FCC’s First Report and Order on local franchising ruled Friday in favor of the FCC.
He is not sure what the next step will be for the coalition that opposes the FCC Order.
9. Future Agenda Items
No new agenda items were discussed.
10. Adjournment
Upon a motion by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Mr. Herrig, the meeting was adjourned at
5:37 p.m.
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