Minutes Cable TV Telep. 9 3 02MINUTES OF CABLE COMMUNITY TELEPROGRAMMING COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 3, 2002
CITY HALL ANNEX CONFERENCE ROOM # 2
MEMBERS PRESENT: Sr. Carol Hoverman, Paul Kohl, Jennifer Tigges, Dan Wilant
MEMBERS ABSENT: Three seats remain vacant on the Commission
OTHERS PRESENT:
Jim Barefoot, Mediacom
Merdll Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
Mr. Kohl called the meeting to order at 5:42 P.M.
1. Acceptance of the Agenda.
Upon a motion by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Ms. Tigges, the agenda was
accepted as published.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the December 4, 2001 Meeting.
Upon a motion by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Ms. Tigges, the Minutes of the
December 4, 2001 Commission meeting were approved as distributed.
3. Introduction of New Commissioner.
Dan Wilant, who had recently been appointed to the Commission by the City
Council, was welcomed to the table by the other Commissioners and staff, and
each bdefly introduced themselves.
4. Review of the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
Mr. Crawford reviewed the highlights of the Iowa Open Meetings Law pertaining
to public notice, the achieving of a quorum, and other elements, which protect
the public's dght to know and participate in the decision process of public bodies
such as the Cable Community Teleprogramming Commission. This review is
included in the agenda every time a new Commissioner takes his or her seat.
5. Public Comment.
There was no one present to address the Commission. Sr. Hoverman
mentioned that she has noticed signal quality problems on lower channels,
particularly Channels 2 through 5 since the recent relocation of program
services. Mr. Barefoot commented briefly upon recent lightning strikes and
vandalism to the headend facility.
6. Access Equipment Expenditures.
7
Mr. Barefoot and Mr. Crawford reported that there are no current purchases in
progress and that about $60,000 remains in the original franchise allocation for
access equipment. Mr. Barefoot led a discussion regarding the possible upgrade
of the playback system, both to replace the obsolete Leightronix playback timing
system, and to add the capability of on-air playback from DVD's or similar digital
non-tape formats.
There was also discussion of the loss of two camcorders within the past eight
months; one due to a questionable return and the other due to an alleged theft
from an unlocked vehicle.
Recent Access Programming.
Mr. Barefoot reported on complaints received about a series of locally produced
programs called Dubuque Championship Wrestling, or DCW, and particularly
with regard to a music video that formed a small portion of a recent program.
Mediacom had refused to continue to air the music video portion, but would
continue to air the remainder of the program. Mr. Barefoot reported that the
producer of the program in question had agreed to delete or substantially edit the
music video.
Mr. Barefoot also talked about Mediacom's refusal to air an access program in
Des Moines whose producer was videotaping the faces of persons entering a
Planned Parenthood Clinic.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding these programs and Mediacem's
response. Also discussed was the concept of one of the access channels being
scheduled "by request'' or the concept of grouping similar types of programming
together on the same access channel (for example, religious or conservative
programming on one channel, and avant garde or experimental programming on
another, etc.)
Mediacom Cable Franchise Renewal.
Due to the time, and the pending loss of a quorum, Mr. Crawford quickly reported
that the City's consultants were preparing to recommend a transition to digital
playback format for PEG access channels, and could probably assist in a logical
transition and use of the $60,000 remaining access equipment funds.
Mediacom Cable Report.
Mr. Barefoot distributed written copies of the facility's use reports from December
2001 through July 2002, and highlighted a few of them.
10. Cable Franchise Administrator Report.
Mr. Crawford distributed copies of newspaper articles on the Des Moines "Uncle
Ed" access program flap and one regarding a dispute in Philadelphia where the
City Council had never established PEG access in accordance with its franchise.
He also distributed and updated an index of Commission topics of all of the
Teleprogramming Commission meetings from 1981 through the present, and a
list of current Commissioner addresses and contact information, which was
quickly updated by those present. He told Commissioners that he would be
attending a Municipal Broadband Seminar in San Francisco the following week.
11. Future Agenda Items.
There were no additional items suggested for the next Commission meeting.
12. Adjoumment.
Upon a motion by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Ms. Tigges, the meeting was
adjourned at 6.55 P.M.
MC/cj