Minutes Cable Teleprogram. 9 7 05
MINUTES OF CABLE COMMUNITY TELEPROGRAMMING COMMISSION MEETING
SEPT. 7,2005
CITY HALL ANNEX - 2ND FLOOR BOARD ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Maria Araeipour. Sr. Carol Hoverman OSF, Jennifer Tigges, Burton
Everist, George Herrig, Pauline Maloney
MEMBERS ABSENT: One seat remains vacant on the Commission
OTHERS PRESENT: Jim Barefoot, Mediacom
Randy Gehl, City of Dubuque Public Information Officer
Sr. Hoverman called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
1. Acceptance of the Agenda.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tigges, seconded by Ms. Araeipour, the agenda was accepted
as published.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the May 3, 2005 Meeting.
Sr. Hoverman asked about the $2,000 balance of unspent access equipment obligation
from the previous franchise. Mr. Barefoot said he would look into it to determine its
where it is.
Upon a motion by Mr. Everist, seconded by Ms. Maloney, the Minutes of the May 3,
2005 Commission meeting were approved as distributed.
3. Public Comment.
There was no one present to address the Commission.
4. Access Equipment Expenditures.
Mr. Barefoot explained the franchise requirement of Mediacom providing 1.75% of
gross revenues on cable services annually for equipment to be purchased for public
access, education, and government. He explained that the amount is given to the City
every July 1 st every year to be placed in an interest-bearing account. This year,
approximately $174,000 was provided to PEG entities to produce programming. The
previous franchise provided $660,000 over the course of the franchise. Mr. Barefoot
said the commission usually spent about $30,000 every year and most of the funds
went to the upkeep of the studio and related costs. He also summarized how the
current franchise language regarding PEG access equipment funding was determined
and gave a preview of the four requests being presented to the commission this
evening.
Mr. Barefoot gave an update on recent updates to the public access equipment and
explained remaining needs, including replacing the public access van. He then detailed
his proposal to purchase six cameras, an intercom system, a hard-drive recording
system, and a Sony mini-cast station, which he described as a production studio in a
briefcase. Mr. Barefoot distributed copies of product descriptions of the major
components in his proposal, discussed plans to eliminate the van, and how the hard-
drive recording system will work.
Upon a motion by Mr. Everist, seconded by Ms. Araeipour, the $71,468.38 proposal
($25,672.14 for the public access studio and $45,796.24 for the portable switching
option to replace equipment in the van) for public access equipment was approved.
Mr. DeGree distributed copies of the proposal for equipment for Eleanor Roosevelt
Middle School and explained the equipment needs outline in the proposal. The
proposal included control room, studio, and portable equipment and related materials to
implement the telecommunication program at the new middle school. The total amount
for all items listed was $15,676
Upon a motion by Mr. Everist, seconded by Ms. Araeipour, the proposal (not ot exceed
$16,000) for educational access equipment for Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School was
approved.
Mr. Barefoot submitted and presented a proposal on behalf of Gary Olsen of the
Dubuque Community School District (DCSD) to fund the equipment and materials
needed to establish the new DCSD channel, established as part of the new franchise.
The proposal totaled $14,832.18,
Upon a motion by Ms. Araeipour, seconded by Mr. Burton, the proposal for educational
access equipment for the implementation of the new DCSD channel was approved.
Mr. Gehl submitted and presented a proposal for government access equipment on
behalf of Doug McCallum of the Cable TV Division. The proposal included three
cameras, two DVD recorders, a DVD player, and related equipment to replace the
antiquated equipment in the Library Auditorium currently used to film City Council
meetings.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tigges, seconded by Ms. Araeipour, the proposal for government
access equipment for the Cable Television Division was approved.
5. Access Programming.
Mr. Barefoot reported on programming activities and mentioned "Esther," a program in
which Mr. Herrig was involved in producing. Mr. Herrig described the program and
shared information on when it will be premiered.
6. New Franchise
Mr. Gehl reported that the new franchise went into effect on June 5 and its new
requirements are being implemented.
7. Mediacom Cable Report.
Mr. Barefoot explained that he was contacted by an attorney representing a former
access user who has been incarcerated. The attorney inquired about material the
former access user may have saved on a computer. Mr. Barefoot said he has not been
subpoenaed.
Mr. Barefoot also updated the group on the recently completed "Esther" production. Mr.
Herrig, who was involved with the production, shared additional details with the group.
8. Cable Franchise Administrator Report.
Mr. Gehl gave an update on the Cable Television Coordinator position search.
9. Future Agenda Items.
Mr. Everist requested that the topic of continuing education for commission members
be added to the next agenda. In particular, he mentioned a subscription to
"Multichannel News" and membership to the Alliance for Community Media.
10. Adjournment.
Upon a motion by Ms. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Herrig, the meeting was adjourned at
7:30 p.m.
RG