Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) Fund Expenditures for City of Dubuque, Glass House LLC, and Art For UsCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 08.
Copyrighted
February 5, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) Fund Expenditures for City
of Dubuque, Glass House LLC, and Art For Us
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of the Cable TV
Commission recommendations for funding from the Public, Educational,
and Government (PEG) Capital Grant for Access Equipment and
Facilities for a total not to exceed $56,500.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
MVM Memo
Type
City Manager Memo
PEG Fund Expenditures for City of Dubuque, Glass Staff Memo
House LLC, and Art for Us
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: PEG Fund Expenditures for City of Dubuque, Glass House LLC, and Art
For Us
DATE: January 30, 2024
Public Information Officer Randy Gehl is recommending City Council approval of the
Cable TV Commission recommendations for funding from the Public, Educational, and
Government (PEG) Capital Grant for Access Equipment and Facilities for a total not to
exceed $56,500.
Three requests were received and awarded as follows: from the City of Dubuque up to
$43,000 to update and upgrade broadcasting equipment for operation of the
government access channel, from Glass House LLC to purchase new equipment up to
$6,000 to produce positive media content showcasing the diversity and vibrancy of
Dubuque, and up to $7,500 for Art For Us for new equipment to develop an educational
media campaign to showcase local and regional artists participating in Dubuque's "First
Fridays" art exhibitions.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
SUBJECT: PEG Fund Expenditures for City of Dubuque, Glass House LLC, and Art
for Us
DATE: Jan. 29, 2024
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to forward a recommendation from the Cable TV
Commission to approve three requests for funding from the Capital Grant for Access
Equipment and Facilities (PEG Fund).
BACKGROUND
The City's previous cable television franchise agreement with Mediacom included an annual
grant program to purchase equipment with which to produce local public, educational, and
governmental (PEG) programming. Qualified organizations — those with a principal place of
business within City limits or a principal regular meeting place within City limits — may apply
for funding from this program. Because Mediacom now operates in Dubuque under a
state franchise, the state code related to cable franchises applies to the use of Dubuque
PEG Capital Grant for Access Equipment and Facilities funds. The code states, "All
fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be used only for the support of the
public, educational, and governmental access channels." Currently, the City of
Dubuque operates the local government access channel (CityChannel Dubuque) and
the public access channel, the Dubuque Community School District operates the public
education access channel, and Loras College operates the shared education access
channel.
The PEG Capital Grant for Access Equipment and Facilities fund currently has a
balance of $1,343,661.50. Mediacom is no longer required to contribute to this fund so
the only way it will grow is through interest.
DISCUSSION
The Cable TV Commission met on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, to consider three
funding requests. Each application included a general description of the requested
equipment and why it was needed, an explanation of how the community will benefit
from the request, and a detailed list of all equipment requested and cost estimates from
three vendors. Each of the three requests was unanimously recommended for approval
by the Cable TV Commission.
Felicia Carrier, multimedia specialist for the City of Dubuque, submitted the City's
$43,000 request for funds to update and upgrade broadcasting equipment for operation
of the government access channel. The equipment (two video servers) will support the
City's recent absorption of management of the public access channel by allowing the
two new servers to be used for the government access channel and using the existing
server to be used for the public access channel. This will also streamline operations for
all three channels. The commission recommends up to $43,000 for the requested new
equipment and any associated shipping costs
Deshawn Brown of Glass House LLC requested funds to purchase equipment, including
a camera, a lens, lighting boom mics, and related hardware. Brown's goal is to use the
equipment to produce positive media content showcasing the diversity and vibrancy of
Dubuque. His presentation to the commission included seven potential programs for
the public access channel. The commission recommends up to $6,000 for the
requested new equipment and any associated shipping costs.
Briana Thompson of Art For Us submitted an application for equipment to develop an
educational media campaign to showcase local and regional artists participating in
Dubuque's "First Fridays" art exhibitions. The request included a camera, lens, laptop,
hard drives, vlog camera, wireless microphone system, and other accessories.
Thompson's application and presentation to the commission included details on plans
for programming to promote local artists and events to showcase Dubuque's vibrant arts
and culture community and engage more residents. The commission recommends up to
$7,500 for the requested new equipment and any associated shipping costs, pending
staff review of additional equipment cost estimates to be provided by the applicant.
If the Cable TV Commission's recommendations for funding are approved by City
Council, City staff will coordinate the purchase of all related equipment and distribute to
the requesting organizations.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
I respectfully request that the Cable TV Commission's recommendations for a total not
to exceed $56,500 in funding be forwarded to the City Council to receive, file, and
approve these PEG Capital Grant for Access Equipment and Facilities Fund
expenditures.
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