Minutes Cable Teleprogramm C. 12 6 05
MINUTES OF CABLE COMMUNITY TELEPROGRAMMING COMMISSION MEETING
December 6, 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: Randy Gehl, City of Dubuque Public Information Officer
Doug McCallum, City of Dubuque Video Production Assistant
Ms. Araeipour called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
1. Acceptance of the Agenda.
Upon a motion by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Ms. Maloney, the agenda was accepted
as published.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the November 1, 2005 Meeting.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tigges, seconded by Mr. Herrig, the Minutes of the Nov. 1, 2005
Commission meeting were approved as distributed.
3. Public Comment.
None
4. Access Equipment Expenditures.
Mr. Gehl explained that the search for the Cable Television Coordinator is still ongoing
and another interview is scheduled for next week. He went on to say that he originally
planned to wait to submit an additional access equipment grant request until the
position was filled, but the search is taking too long to do so. Mr. Gehl and Mr.
McCallum submitted a proposal for equipment to convert the local government
channel, City Channel 8, from its current linear format to a non-linear format _
recording, playback, and editing. They explained that the equipment estimates were
just received that afternoon.
Ms. Tigges asked if such a non-linear system was ever proposed in the City budget.
Mr. McCallum explained that it has not because the division staff was waiting for the
franchise to be renewed. He added that the old cameras have failed, with the
exception of one, which is the property of Mediacom.
The total cost estimate was $50,317.99. Mr. Gehl and Mr. McCallum broke the
request down into three proposals:
1. Two digital camcorders to be used for studio recordings and field shoots, a file-
server for playback, DVD players, and necessary related equipment.
($29,462.00)
2. A non-linear editing system, including software and equipment. ($7,249.72)
3. A message information system including software and equipmet ($13,606.27)
Some details of the equipment were discussed. Mr. McCallum noted that the message
information system would allow him or other city staff to post emergency messages to
City Channel 8 from any computer with internet access. Mr. Gehl said the equipment
listed in the proposal would allow the City to increase the quantity and quality of the
programming on City Channel 8. He mentioned that programming will be a major focus
for the new Cable Television Coordinator and that new equipment is needed to
develop that programming.
Ms. Tigges questioned the cost for the character generator ($13,000) and asked how
much it cost for the public access station. Discussion followed and several additional
questions regarding details of the individual pieces of equipment and training and
testing costs were posed. Mr. McCallum and Mr. Gehl stated they did not have time to
go over the estimates in detail, but added that they would do so before the next
commission meeting and come back with additional information to share with the
commission.
Mr. Gehl then gave the commission an update on the capital access grant funds,
including amounts awarded, amounts disbursed to date, and remaining balance. The
balance of funds to be awarded is $55,645.75.
Mr. Everist noted that the proposal for City Channel would nearly wipe out the balance
and suggested that the proposal be examined further. Discussion followed about the
quality and durability of equipment provided by ECS, the vendor who submitted the
estimate. Sr. Hoverman commented that she would not want to see the City skimp on
the editing system. Additional discussion on the rate of technology change and how it
may impact editing practices followed.
Ms. Tigges asked how the messaging system in the proposal compared to Mediacom's
new system. She thought it was less than the system in the City's proposal.
Mr. Gehl said the reason for the rush to submit a proposal was the dwindling balance
in the capital fund. He said the City cannot wait until July 1 to convert the system to
digital/non-linear. Mr. Everist and Ms. Tigges said they would not be ready to spend
$50,000 for the City.
Mr. Gehl said he and Mr. McCallum would come back to the next m~eting with a more
refined proposal. Ms. Tigges asked for a more simplified proposal than the one
presented tonight.
Ms. Tigges expressed concern that staff workloads might prevent them from utilizing
any new equipment. Mr. Gehl and Mr. McCallum said that it would definitely be used.
Discussion continued on Mr. McCallum's job responsibilities and the anticipated role of
the new Cable Television Coordinator.
5. Access Programming.
Mr. Barefoot was not in attendance to discuss access programming.
6. Continuing Education Opportunities for Commission Members
Mr. Gehl reported that the National Alliance for Community Media offers a basic
affiliate level of membership for $525. He then outlined the benefits of that
membership level, which include online access to resources as well as subscriptions to
a quarterly newsletter. The commission directed Mr. Gehl to register the commission
members. Mr. Everist suggested that continuing education be considered in future
budgets.
7. Revision of Public Access Handbook
Hardcopies of the handbook were distributed to commission members. Ms. Tigges
suggested that two or three commission members work on the revisions and bring the
changes back to the commission for consideration. Mr. Everist asked that it be resent
as an e-mail attachment to the members. Sr. Hoverman pointed out that certain
portions of the handbook will require input from Mr. Barefoot. Discussion on the
intended purpose of the handbook followed. In the course of the discussion, Mr.
Everist recommended that someone from the education community be recruited to join
the commission.
8. Access Equipment Grant Process
Mr. Gehl submitted a rough draft of a grant application for the capital access grant. He
recommended that the goal for a finalized version of the application be finalized in time
for the new fiscal year, July 1. Commission members agreed to review the draft and
continue to work on it at future meetings. Mr. Gehl asked that they consider such
things as criteria and parameters for judging applications as well as timetables for
awarding funds, based on quarterly adjustments to the grant fund. He added that, once
the application is finalized, a broad-based promotional effort be initiated to make
eligible applicants aware of the funds.
Mr. Gehl pointed out that the franchise agreement states that the capital access grant
is also intended for I-Net access/use. Discussion followed on potential I-Net access
costs and the potential I-Net users. Ms. Tigges said it would be helpful to know what
average I-Net access costs would be. Additional discussion focused on construction of
the I-Net and the eventual formation of an I-Net user's group. Mr. Everist suggested
that additional clarification was needed on the commission's role in regards to the 1_
Net. Mr. Gehl said he would invite Charlie Ellis, from Dubuque Community Schools
and the Cable TV Regulatory Commission, as well as the Chris Kohlmann, the City's
Information Services Director, to attend a future meeting and provide additional
background on the I-Net. It was agreed that a number of questions remain
unanswered and must be resolved before the grant application form is finalized.
9. Mediacom Cable Report
Mr. Barefoot was unable to attend this meeting. Ms. Maloney mentioned that Mr.
Barefoot was going to provide a date in January for the access studio open house
discussed at a previous meeting. Mr. Herrig said he was at the studio that afternoon
and the new cameras were not yet in the studios. Discussion followed and it was
recommended that any open house be delayed until February.
10. Cable Television Division Report
Mr. Gehl reported that the new robotic cameras, purchased for approximately $23,000
from the capital access grant, were recently installed in the library's third-floor
auditorium and were used for the first time at the City Council meeting the prior night.
He also said that the search for the cable television coordinator vacancy is ongoing.
11. Future Agenda Items.
Mr. Everist asked about the commission's involvement in a display at City Expo in
April. Mr. Gehl said the date is April 11111 and he said the members of the commission
are invited to participate. Mr. Everist asked if a simple DVD could be produced and
distributed at Expo to encourage public access use. He said Mediacom could be
asked to film training meetings to incorporate footage and perhaps include
testimonials. The question of funding was raised. Ms. Tigges suggested that a
website be utilized as well. It was determined to include "promotion" as a future
agenda item.
12. Adjournment.
Upon a motion by Mr. Herrig, seconded by Sr. Hoverman, the meeting was adjourned
at 7:10 p.m.
RG