Minutes Cable Teleprogram 11 1 05
MINUTES OF CABLE COMMUNITY TELEPROGRAMMING COMMISSION MEETING
November 1, 2005
CITY HALL ANNEX - 2ND FLOOR BOARD ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Maria Araeipour. Sr. Carol Hoverman OSF, Jennifer Tigges,
Pauline Maloney, George Herrig, Burton Everist
MEMBERS ABSENT: One seat remains vacant on the Commission
OTHERS PRESENT: Jim Barefoot, Mediacom
Randy Gehl, City of Dubuque Public Information Officer
Ms. Maloney called the meeting to order at 5:35 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 October 4, 2005 Meeting.
Upon a motion by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Ms. Tigges, the Minutes of the Oct. 4,
2005 Commission meeting were approved as distributed.
3. Public Comment.
Mr. Herrig asked Mr. Barefoot about problems with audio. He said that occasionally,
when the B cable is being worked on, there can be transmission problems with PEG
channels. Ms. Tigges recommended that if any problems are noticed, to call
Mediacom immediately so the problem can be identified. Mr. Barefoot summarized
how audio and other transmission problems are tracked and identified. After a
question on B cable from Ms. Maloney, Mr. Barefoot explained the current functions of
B cable, which is currently being rebuilt as a fiber network.
4. Access Equipment Expenditures.
Ms. Maloney asked about the funding of the PEG Access Equipment Fund. Mr.
Barefoot confirmed his explanation from the previous meeting: it is based on the
previous year's revenue and is then adjusted quarterly. He reported than an additional
$3,654.36 for July-September was added recently. Ms. Tigges asked for a monthly
report which details the deposits and withdrawals from the account. Mr. Gehl said he
would begin to provide such a report every month. Mr. Barefoot asked about the
possibility of the group receiving an Excel file on the account which could be e-mailed.
He also explained how and why the control of the PEG Access Equipment Fund was
transferred from Mediacom to the City. Mr. Barefoot said Kathy McMullen is in the
process of getting the remaining $2,000 from the past franchise.
Mr. Barefoot said that, on October 5, he submitted his equipment request for the field
equipment, studio equipment, and education channel equipment to the vendor. Since
that time, he has received the majority of the field equipment and some of the studio
equipment. He said he was not aware of the status of the computer unit for the school
district channel. Mr. Barefoot then described a "snag" they have encountered with the
cabling for the new AnyCast station and the field cameras. The fire-wire being used
requires the use of a repeater at the beginning and end of a 70-foot wire. For
example, with one camera using a 200-foot run of fire-wire, four repeaters are needed.
Thus, 12 repeaters are needed when all three cameras are in use. Mr. Barefoot said
the issue is being worked on so they can stay in a true digital mode, but some
applications may require a special coax cable with 500-700 capability in analog mode.
He also explained some challenges with resulting from Loras College's new press box,
which requires the use of a 160-foot conduit, preventing the use of a fire-wire with a
repeater. Some venues, requiring all three cameras and 12 repeaters will present
challenges with power supplies.
Mr. Barefoot estimated that $50,000 remains from the first round of purchases, not
included the $5,634 adjustment and the $2,000 from the previous franchise. Thus,
approximately $55,000 remains until July 1.
Ms. Maloney requested that the public access studio purchase a backwards-counting
clock to replace the existing broken clock.
Mr. Barefoot asked the commission to discuss, at some point in time, transportation for
the new equipment. He said the van must now be jump-started to be moved and the
production truck needs to be parked as soon as possible. Exhaust enters the cab area
of the vehicle due to holes in the floor. He mentioned consideration of either a trailer
(which would need to be pulled), a basic cargo van, or a customized van with
equipment racks for decks and the AnyCast station. He said a vehicle could be
purchased this year with the remaining funds and then be customized and converted
into a production truck after July 1 with next year's funds. Ms. Tigges raised the
question of vehicle maintenance. Mr. Barefoot said Mediacom currently maintains the
access vehicle. Ms. Tigges also asked about security issues for such a vehicle. Mr.
Barefoot said perhaps a storage garage could be rented for the vehicle. Insurance
and exposure of the equipment to the extreme temperatures were also cited as issues
for consideration. Also, the vehicle can only be operated by a Mediacom employee.
Mr. Barefoot said he expects increased demand for the new equipment, which will
create transportation and staffing issues. After questions by Ms. Tigges and Mr.
Everist about users transporting the equipment in personal vehicles, Mr. Barefoot said
that, due to the cost of the new equipment ($45-$50,000), he would be going with the
equipment on remote shoots. He said outdoor projects in inclement weather would
benefit from a vehicle. Ms. Tigges commented that, due to technological advances, a
full production van should not be necessary. Additionally, she said, as a producer, it
may be too much of a hassle and be too cumbersome. Mr. Everist said that his
impression was that the new equipment would not require as much oversight. He
acknowledged concerns over equipment theft/loss, but thought the new system would
be more flexible.
Ms. Tigges said she spoke with Craig Schaeffer at Loras who said the new equipment
will not help with productions there, which she said, contradicted her expectations
regarding Loras productions and the new equipment. Mr. Barefoot explained the
difference between public access projects and classroom applications and Mr.
Schaeffer's student staffing needs. Ms. Tigges asked what other groups utilize the
van. Mr. Barefoot said the ballet's needs will be met with the new equipment.
Following a question from Ms. Araeipour regarding other sports and games, Mr.
Barefoot added it is his intention to not use this for other Mediacom projects and said
he has submitted a separate budget for their local origination (L.O.) projects. He said
the truck originally was owned by the provider, as was the equipment, and they were
loaned out to public access. As things aged and were not replaced, access equipment
was placed in the truck. He said it his intention to keep the two separate. Ms. Tigges
asked why Mediacom couldn't purchase a vehicle which could be rented for public
access use. Mr. Barefoot said that was not an option.
Mr. Barefoot concluded that over the next few months, something is needed to
transport the field equipment. Mr. Everist asked when the commission could meet at
the studio to view the new equipment and perhaps cablecast the meeting. Mr. Herrig
asked if that might set a precedent for other commissions. Mr. Barefoot said that the
commission could meet at the studio, but he is also working with Gary Olsen on
scheduling a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce for the new
equipment.
Following additional discussion of the existing van and equipment, Mr. Everist
expressed concerns over the availability of the new equipment being tied to availability
of staff if it is housed in a vehicle. Mr. Barefoot said that hours of operation for public
access should be discussed as part of the access rule book discussion. He would like
to hear the group's interpretation of the franchise guidelines. Ms. Maloney suggested
that the meeting proceed to the next agenda item so that discussion could be held. In
closing regarding access equipment expenditures, Mr. Barefoot asked that the
commission ponder the discussion and come back and discuss it at future meetings.
5. Access Programming.
Sr. Hoverman asked about the status of the server for weekend programming. Mr.
Barefoot said another device is needed to sync the equipment for playback and he
would provide an update at the next meeting.
6. Continuing Education Opportunities for Commission Members
Ms. Maloney asked if there was anything new to report. Ms. Tigges said she received
a copy of the magazine from the Alliance for Community Media. Mr. Gehl said that he
spoke with Merrill Crawford regarding subscriptions and he said that commissioners
subscriptions are paid for through the City. He said the current budget contains $2,900
for subscriptions, but that budget must also pay for cable television staff subscriptions.
Only $97 has been spent so far this fiscal year and no subscriptions have been
renewed. He recommended that commission members bring suggestions for possible
subscriptions to the next meeting and they can be discussed and decided upon.
Regarding memberships, Mr. Gehl said the budget is $504 which covers the cable
television coordinator's NATOA membership. Mr. Everist recommended that the group
definitely get the Alliance for Community Media subscription. Mr. Gehl said he would
investigate membership/subscription rates and report at the next meeting. He also
said the subscriptions for MultiChannel News would not be renewed, based on
previous feedback from the commission. Ms. Tigges shared information on several
free publications.
7. Revision of Public Access Handbook
Mr. Gehl distributed hardcopies of the handbook and asked how commission members
would like to proceed. Ms. Tigges asked Mr. Barefoot about the staffing issue he
raised earlier. Mr. Barefoot said he wanted to raise the issue as "food for thought."
Under the "Hours of Operation" section of the current handbook, it states "Mediacom
shall post regular operating hours during which residents may obtain access to
facilities, equipment, training and other assistance, subject to the approval of the Cable
Community Teleprogramming Commission." Mr. Barefoot said he is seeking
clarification for what the new franchise states so that public access is customer-friendly
and franchise-compliant. He read the franchise agreement wording which requires at
least 57 hours per week. He said their current hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-
Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and by appointment on Saturday. Mr. Barefoot
asked the commission to clarify what their interpretation is when a production outside
the studio requires staffing - should the studio remain open? Or, because a
production is underway, does that constitute being "in operation?" Does that count
toward the 57 hours? Mr. Everist asked if one staff person could be in the studio and
another on the remote production. Mr. Barefoot said the problem is that they currently
do that, but, now during Loras College's basketball season, they have 2-3 van remotes
per week, in addition to keeping the studio open. He said the current arrangement is
taxing the system. He asked if remotes should be limited per week. Mr. Barefoot said
the federal regulation is that a city can only tell the cable provider to provide money for
equipment purchases, not operational costs (i.e. staff costs). He said he has
requested an additional employee, it is not guaranteed that it will be granted. He
would like to come up with some guidelines on this issue. Mr. Everist asked if it would
be appropriate to limit usage of the equipment by a single organization, or not. Ms.
Tigges suggested that the organization be required to compensate for the additional
staff time needed. Discussion regarding access equipment availability and frequent
usage by certain organizations, particularly Loras College, continued. Mr. Everist
suggested a priority level be established with provisional agreements for schedule
conflicts. Mr. Barefoot asked if they would be penalize if they are doing more hours
with van remotes, but the studio is not open as much. He added that both he and Tim
McClain have lost vacation time the last two years because they were unable to take
vacation time. He said the 57 hours per week requirement does take holiday time into
consideration but not van remotes or flex time for him and Tim, so what happens, for
example, if they have three van remotes in a week (exceeding the 57 hours) - are they
still required to keep the studio open? Sr. Hoverman suggested that when a remote is
scheduled in advance, the studio be closed with advance notice. Mr. Barefoot said
there are schedule conflicts when both he and Mr. McClain cannot be in two places at
once. He added that some remotes require two staff members to produce. Mr. Everist
suggested that Mr. Barefoot examine studio usage records, particularly morning hours,
to determine if the studio hours might be modified. Mr. Everist asked about the use of
interns and Mr. Barefoot said a staff member would still be required.
8. Access Equipment Grant Process
Mr. Gehl shared a sample of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission grant
application, which is 13 pages long. He also described a sample application used by
the Village of Westmont, Illinois, for community programming grants. Ms. Maloney
suggested Mr. Gehl use it as a template and modify it for the commission's review. He
said he would do so and provide them at the next meeting. Mr. Everist asked for a list
of other sources for grant funding for programming. Mr. Barefoot mentioned the
Mediacom Arts and Cultural Affairs grant program and explained its purpose.
9. Mediacom Cable Report
Mr. Barefoot had nothing additional to report.
10. Cable Television Division Report
Mr. Gehl reported that the government channel equipment has been ordered, but has
not yet
been received. He also said that the search for the cable television coordinator
vacancy is ongoing.
11. Future Agenda Items.
Mr. Barefoot suggested that a December meeting at the studio would require a lot of
time to see the equipment. Ms. Tigges pointed out that the commission has a lot to do
over the next month. After additional discussion, it was determined that an "open
house" style event be held, with both cable commissions attending, perhaps in
January. Mr. Everist asked if a tape describing the new equipment and the studio
abilities be developed. Discussion followed and it was suggested that it be available
for City Expo in April.
12. Adjournment.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tigges, seconded by Ms. Araeipour, the meeting was adjourned
at 7:15 p.m.
RG