Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) Fund Expenditure for City EquipmentCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 18.
Copyrighted
December 6, 2021
ITEM TITLE: Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) Fund Expenditure for City
Equipment
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of the Cable TV Commission
recommendation for funding from the Public, Educational, and
Government (PEG) Capital Grant for Access Equipment and Facilities in
an amount not to exceed $30,200 for the City of Dubuque for equipment
to be used for CityChannel Dubuque by the Public Information Office.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
PEG Fund Expenditure for City Equipment-MVM City Manager Memo
Memo
PEG Fund Expenditure Request for City - Staff Memo Staff Memo
THE CITY OF
Dubuque
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All -America City
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: PEG Fund Expenditure for City Equipment
DATE: November 30, 2021
Public Information Officer Randy Gehl is recommending approval of the Cable TV
Commission recommendation for funding from the Public, Educational, and Government
(PEG) Capital Grant for Access Equipment and Facilities in an amount not to exceed
$30,200 for the City of Dubuque for equipment to be used for CityChannel Dubuque by
the Public Information Office. Currently, the equipment in use for CityChannel Dubuque
either has limited resolution outputs, performs poorly in low -light, is dated, or is not fitted
for quick and time -sensitive shoots. The requested equipment will integrate the use of
modern production tools. Due to the requested equipment's features, adaptability, and
usability, this transition will strengthen the quality and quantity of CityChannel Dubuque
programming for many years to come.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
SUBJECT: PEG Fund Expenditure for City Equipment
DATE: Nov. 29, 2021
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Dubuque
All -America City
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The purpose of this memorandum is to forward a recommendation from the Cable TV
Commission for funding from the Capital Grant for Access Equipment and Facilities.
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." Mediacom is no longer
required to contribute to this fund so the only way it will grow is through interest.
The PEG Capital Grant for Access Equipment and Facilities fund currently has a
balance to be awarded of $ $ 1,171,172.09.
DISCUSSION
At its Nov. 17, 2021, meeting, the Dubuque Cable TV Commission considered a PEG
Capital Grant for Access Equipment and Facilities Fund expenditure request from City
of Dubuque Multimedia Specialist Felicia Carner for equipment to be used for
CityChannel Dubuque by the City's Public Information Office.
Currently, the equipment in use for CityChannel Dubuque either has limited resolution
outputs, performs poorly in low -light, is dated, or is not fitted for quick and time -sensitive
shoots. The bulk of the requested list was developed to support two fully equipped 4K
camera kits that include Sony Alpha a7S III Full -Frame Mirrorless Camera Bodies,
lenses, carbon -fiber tripods, gimbals, microphones, and more. Since CityChannel
Dubuque productions were primarily shot using camcorders, gear like tripods were
rarely upgraded and were built to support heavy, bulky cameras. The integration of
mirrorless cameras requires a different set of tools and gear to support their much
smaller and lighter bodies and lenses.
This transition to mirrorless cameras will also allow for versatility. Known for its
performance in low -light and in -camera stabilization, these cameras will open the
opportunity to shoot in more settings and in scenarios when additional stabilization gear
is not suitable. The Sony Alpha a7s III is also a standard for compatibility, which
expands the potential for new or supplemented gear to be integrated as needed.
The most notable feature of the Sony Alpha a7s III is its image quality. It is designed to
shoot crisp, vibrant footage at a 4K resolution. It's also one of the few mirrorless
cameras that can shoot in slow motion at full resolution without overheating. The image
quality of this camera will take image quality of CityChannel Dubuque to a new level.
Additionally, the requested gear, including the DJI Air 2S, will help maintain high quality
productions during time -sensitive scenarios. When shooting in the field, time is often
limited. Having the tools that support a quick setup and versatility will allow for more
coverage without loss of quality.
Also included in the requested is a bi-color LED light kit that can be used indoors and
outdoors. Currently, CityChannel Dubuque only has light panels designed for outdoor
color temperatures. With its color temperature range and optional battery operation, this
kit will allow for additional lighting to be used in any setting.
Overall, the requested equipment will integrate the use of modern production tools. Due
to the requested equipment's features, adaptability, and usability, this transition will
strengthen the quality and quantity of CityChannel Dubuque programming for many
years to come.
The Cable TV Commission discussed this PEG Capital Grant for Access Equipment
and Facilities Fund request and unanimously approved the request to not exceed
$30,200.
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I respectfully request that the Commission's recommendation for funding be forwarded
to the City Council to receive, file, and approve this PEG Capital Grant for Access
Equipment and Facilities Fund expenditure.
CC: Felicia Carner, Multimedia Specialist
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