PEG Fund ExpendituresCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 18.
Copyrighted
March 16, 2026
ITEM TITLE: PEG Fund Expenditures
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of the
Cable TV Commission's recommendations for a total
expenditure not to exceed $110,624.21 ($100,567.46 in
requested funds plus $10,056.75, to cover increased
equipment and shipping costs since applications were
submitted) in PEG Equipment Fund expenditures.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo PEG Fund Expenditures
2. PEG Fund Expenditure Memo - March 2026
Page 452 of 811
THE CITY OF
DUB E-E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: PEG Fund Expenditures
DATE: March 10, 2026
Dubuque
All -America Ciq
IIIr
II
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
Public Information Officer Randy Gehl is recommending City Council approval of the
Cable TV Commission's recommendations for a total expenditure not to exceed
$110,624.21 ($100,567.46 in requested funds plus $10,056.75, to cover increased
equipment and shipping costs since applications were submitted) in PEG Equipment
Fund expenditures.
The Cable TV Commission met on February 17, 2026, to review two PEG Access
Channel Operator Equipment Grant applications, the commission discussed the
potential of increased costs for the equipment and voted to include an allowance of up
to 10% over the requested amount to cover unexpected increases and shipping costs.
The commission's approved recommendations for the PEG Access Channel Operator
Equipment Grant for City Council consideration are as follows:
• Dubuque Community School District: $32,735.46 to purchase 46 pieces of
equipment, including three cameras, lenses, microphones, and related accessories
for multi -camera productions throughout the year. The equipment helps maintain
production quality for school board meetings, programs, and sporting events shared
on PEG access television.
• Loras College: $67,832 for equipment for narrative/documentary production and
sports production. The application includes 71 pieces of equipment, including six
cameras, related video accessories, a switcher, and an intercom system. The
equipment is anticipated to assist over 40 student producers in the creation of PEG
access programming each year. Additionally, some items requested are intended to
replace outdated equipment that has been in service since 2009.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Page 453 of 811
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Felicia Carner, Multimedia Specialist
2
Page 454 of 811
THE C
DUUB--'*--TE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
SUBJECT: PEG Fund Expenditures
DATE: March 10, 2026
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
All-Anerin City
I
II
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
The purpose of this memorandum is to forward recommendations from the Cable TV
Commission to approve two requests for funding from the Public, Educational, and
Governmental (PEG) Equipment Grant Program.
BACKGROUND
The City's former cable television franchise agreement with Mediacom established an
annual grant program dedicated to funding equipment acquisitions for the production of
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, five PEG channels are offered on the
Mediacom cable system. The City of Dubuque operates the local government access
channels (CityChannel Dubuque and CityChannel Graphics) 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 $1,268,133.24. The fund has been used to support the creation of PEG
access programming by a variety of organizations over the years and has funded
significant purchases by the three organizations operating the PEG channels.
Mediacom is no longer required to contribute to this fund so the only way it will grow is
through interest. There are two grant processes available for requesting funding- one
designated for community members, and another specifically for PEG channel
operators. Details are available at https://cityofdubugue.org/3229/PEG-Equipment-
Grant-Programs.
DISCUSSION
Page 455 of 811
The Cable TV Commission met on February 17, 2026, to review two PEG Access
Channel Operator Equipment Grant applications, one submitted by Loras College and
the other by the Dubuque Community School District. Each application included an
overview of the equipment requested and its intended use in PEG access programming
production. Additionally, applicants submitted a detailed list of all requested equipment
along with cost estimates obtained from three separate vendors as part of the
application process. The commission discussed the potential of increased costs for the
equipment and voted to include an allowance of up to 10% over the requested amount
to cover unexpected increases and shipping costs.
The commission's approved recommendations for the PEG Access Channel Operator
Equipment Grant for City Council consideration are as follows:
• Dubuque Community School District: $32,735.46 to purchase 46 pieces of
equipment, including three cameras, lenses, microphones, and related
accessories for multi -camera productions throughout the year. The equipment
helps maintain production quality for school board meetings, programs, and
sporting events shared on PEG access television.
• Loras College: $67,832 for equipment for narrative/documentary production and
sports production. The application includes 71 pieces of equipment,
including six cameras, related video accessories, a switcher, and an intercom
system. The equipment is anticipated to assist over 40 student producers in the
creation of PEG access programming each year. Additionally, some items
requested are intended to replace outdated equipment that has been in service
since 2009.
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 the Cable TV Commission's recommendations for a total
expenditure not to exceed $110,624.21 ($100,567.46 in requested funds plus
$10,056.75, to cover increased equipment and shipping costs since applications were
submitted) in PEG Equipment Fund expenditures be forwarded to the City Council to
receive, file, and approve.
Cc: Felicia Carner, Multimedia Specialist
2
Page 456 of 811