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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBCCF Min 1997-01-20 . . . ~Lc/ ~ /3/"7 SEAL BEACH CABLE COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING COMCAST CABLEVISION January 20, 1997 The Board of Directors of the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation met on January 20, 1997 at 7:00 at Comcast Cablevision, Seal Beach, California. Peter Anninos called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The pledge was led by Mr. Jim Clow. ROLL CALL Mr. Anninos, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Rowland and Mr. Clow were present. Mr. Mueller was absent. Ms. Linda Hossinger, Ms. Marilee Jackson and Ms. Robin Fort-Lincke from Comcast were present. CONSENT CALENDAR MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 18, 1997 Mr. Arnold stated a correction he would like made. Mr. Rowland made a motion to accept and file with the correction the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting of the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation of November 18, 1997. Mr. Arnold seconded the motion. A YES: Mr. Clow, Mr. Anninos, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Arnold NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 Mr. Clow said that he had some questions about what he read in the minutes regarding Board members contacting city people. Mr. Arnold said that there had been alot of discussion about that and that it was an agenda item for later on in the meeting. FINANCIAL REPORT Mr. Anninos said that in Mr. Mueller's absence that Mr. Arnold would review the financial report. Mr. Arnold said that he liked the format of the report but he had questions about the part-time employees and how much money had been spent. Mr. Anninos explained to Mr. Arnold that he was looking at the wrong column and . . . PG 2 SBCCF MINUTES 1/20/97 the confusion was straightened out. There was discussion about several categories and what they were for. CHECK REQUEST Mr. Rowland made a motion to accept and pay the bills listed on the check request. Mr. Clow seconded the motion. AYES: Mr. Anninos, Mr. Clow, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Rowland NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 ACCESS FEES Mr. Rowland made a motion to accept and pay Mr. Dick Davies' request for food reimbursement for Inside Leisure World. Mr. Clow seconded the motion. AYES: Mr. Rowland, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Anninos, Mr. Clow NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 Mr. Arnold said that he would pay the request for Mr. Russ Bauman but he had questions about it. There was discussion about the request and the fact that it had been suggested at the November Board meeting to Mr. Bauman that he submit a reimbursement request because the shoot would be prior to the next Board meeting. Mr. Bauman was present in the audience and explained the two van shoots and the request. Mr. Arnold said that he would like to see the receipts for the request. Ms. Fort- Lincke showed Mr. Arnold the receipts attached to the original request and read aloud what each receipt was for. She explained that the original receipts are attached to the original check request to Mr. Mueller for all bills paid by the Board. Mr. Arnold made a motion to accept and pay Mr. Russ Bauman's request for reimbursement for the holiday show van shoots. Mr. Clow seconded the motion. AYES: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Rowland, MR. Anninos, MR. Clow NAYES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 . . . PG 3 SBCCF MINUTES 1/20/97 OLD BUSINESS COMCAST FRANCHISE RENEWAL Mr. Anninos stated that he was surprised by a letter the Board had received from the city manager, Keith Till regarding additional money for the consultant. Mr. Rowland said that he had concerns about the last paragraph referring a last meeting with Mr. Till. He said that Mr. Till has never attended a Board meeting and he wondered what meeting Mr. Till was referring to. Mr. Anninos said that he and Mr. Mueller had gone together to Mr. Till's office to present him with the original check for $10,000 and that there was no reference whatsoever to additional money. He said that there was a conversation that if any reimbursement money was given by Comcast to the city, that the Board would also like to be considered for reimbursement. Mr. Clow said that the Board stuck it's neck out in good faith for the city and that he did not feel that the Board should now be put in the position of paying the entire consultant fee. There was discussion about Board appointments. Mr. Arnold suggested that Mr. Anninos and Mr. Mueller meet and request from MR. Till in writing what the original $10,000 was spent on and to clarify the additional $18,800 and get a reassurance from Mr. Till that if there were a reimbursement that it would go to the Board. He said that the consultant reports should be available to the Board. Mr. Rowland read the original letter composed by Mr. Mueller in June of 1996 which he said that Board did not approve. He said that item #2 was to be omitted and #1 was to be revised and he did not find a copy of the final letter . He asked for a copy of the final letter that was sent to Mr. Till regarding the $10,000. Mr. Arnold said that he thought the request for the additional money was a result of the completion of the 4th task and he said the reports of the consultant are very confidential. Mr. Clow said that each member of the Board should know what is being discussed with the city manager. He said that he did not feel that the city was interested in the Boards' problems before and now they want the Boards' money. Mr. Anninos said he received a call from Mr. Dorsey about a meeting with the city council, the Board, the city manager, the assistant to the city manager and Mr. Carl Pilnick as a closed executive session. There was discussion among the Board regarding dates and times available. Mr. Arnold said that he had heard that his name had come up at the council meeting by several members and that he had not seen the meeting and did not know why his name had been brought up. He also said that he had been asked by three city . . . PG 4 SBCCF MINUTES 1/20/97 council people to be involved in some sort of a meeting not as a Board member. There was discussion about a conflict of interest. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Rob Roy said that he had seen the council meeting that Mr. Arnold was referring to and that the reference to Mr. Arnold's name had to do with the council members trying to coordinate a meeting with all the Board members and being concerned abut Mr. Mueller's and Mr. Arnold's schedule and that it was not anything in particular with Mr. Arnold. Mr. Roy wished everyone a Happy New Year. He said that he was very disappointed by the Board's decision to reimburse contest entry fees for only those that are winners and only one per producer. He said that this year he entered two completely different shows in the WAVE Awards and that when he enters a contest he has no way of knowing beforehand whether or not he is going to win anything. Mr. Roy said that he could see if someone entered multiple categories with similar programs, but he said his two programs couldn't be more different. One is produced with seniors and is about seniors and Leisure World and the other one is live and hosted by Dar Brown and deals with all different members of the Seal Beach community, different themes and each one is in an entirely different category. He said he hope the Board would reconsider their previous decision. Mr. Roy said that he noticed the increase in Thursday studio shoots and said that he would like to request Thursday for Club Dar as well. Mr. Arnold requested that Thursday studio shoots be added to the agenda for the next meeting. Mr. Roy said that he knew that the Mary Wilson library was having money troubles and suggested a telethon to help raise money for the library. Mr. Arnold requested that this item be added to the agenda for the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC HEARING " PROPER PROTOCOL FOR SEAL BEACH CABLE COMMUNICATION FOUNDATION MEMBERS Mr. Clow said that the Chairman should be the one in charge and speaking on behalf of the Board and that the Chairman should inform the Board members of any information relative to the issues the Board is discussing. Mr. Rowland said that there should be rules that Board members don't go out on their own and do things on behalf of the Board. Mr. Arnold said that he agreed with what has been said. He said that any business with this Board and public access he will bring the Board up to date on with what he knows. He said that he has been asked by city council members for assistance aside . . . PG 5 SBCCF MINUTES 1/20/97 from public access issues. He said that he will fight for the Board and that the Board should not be discussing some issues publicly. He said that he will work on other issues not related to anything with public access. Mr. Rowland said that as a Board member, Mr. Arnold should not discuss or vote on anything other than public access. Mr. Clow said that a discussion regarding the Board money to the city should not be by any single Board member and a city person. Mr. Anninos suggested talking to the city attorney regarding a conflict of interest with a Board member requesting information and issues not directly related to the Board. After much discussion, Mr. Rowland suggested that Mr. Anninos draft a letter to Mr. Till regarding an accounting of the original $10,000, clarification for the additional money and reimbursement and read it over the phone to each Board member. Mr. Clow seconded the motion. AYES: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Anninos, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Clow NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 At this time, Ms. Linda Hossinger asked if the Chairman could move the Comcast related items up to the next items on the agenda for expediency now and in the future. Mr. Arnold made a motion to rearrange the agenda items to handle the Comcast related issues next. Mr. Clow seconded the motion. A YES: Mr. Clow, Mr. Anninos, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Rowland NAYES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 STATUS OF STUDIO CAMERAS Ms. Jackson said that all the studio camera were up and running and had been used for both Local Origination and Public Access productions. Mr. Anninos said that they were functioning but he was not happy with the quality of them. Ms. Jackson said that the studio had three functioning cameras. CHANNEL 55 Ms. Hossinger said that Cal State Fullerton was being earthquake retrofitted and when they come back up, they will be digital with Pac- Bel. She said that it takes a different mechanism to get the signal down to Seal Beach and there will be an update later regarding this issue. . . . PG 6 SBCF MINUTES 1/20/97 There was discussion regarding Fullerton programs and telecourses and adding the Arts channel. REPORTS LOCAL ORIGINATIONILOS ALAMITOS Mr. Arnold said that he would like to know that in the event that negotiations go past the expiration dates, will money and programs be pro-rated or what will happen. Mr. Anninos said that according to the contract, when the contract expires it goes month to month. Ms. Hossinger said that these are legal issues and they will be handled by the attorneys. Mr. Anninos said that he was unhappy with the quality of the Holiday Parade. Ms. Jackson said that the person who she had put in charge of handling it, assured her that they would handle it and that they obviously could not. Mr. Anninos made a motion for Comcast to produce a "make-up" program by April 1 and will present it at the next meeting. Mr. Arnold seconded the motion. AYES: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Anninos, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Clow NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 Mr. Anninos asked Ms. Hossinger about the "ancient" cable boxes. Ms. Hossinger said that the boxes will be replaced after the rebuild. Mr. Anninos said that on Channel 53 with Coastline from midnight until6am there is only the bulletin board. He asked if they could get a NASA schedule could they run that instead during that time period. Ms. Hossinger said that if Mr. Anninos would get the schedule, she would look at it. Mr. Anninos said that when the weather is bad the Channels 2 though 5 look bad. Ms. Hossinger said when that happens to call and report it. At this time, Ms. Hossinger and Ms. Jackson left the Board meeting and the Chairman resumed the meeting back to item "B" under New Business. . . . PG 7 SBCCF MINUTES 1/20/97 HANDLING CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BOARD, LW VIDEO PRODUCERS CLUB & OLD TOWN Mr. Clow said that the cost of repairs are made by the Foundation, why should the video producers club get a donation. Mr. Anninos said he needed clarification. Mr. Clow said that he made cope of programs on his own equipment and then the people he made them for made a donation to the club, and he wasn't sure it was fair. Mr. Arnold said that if they ended up with enough money to pay for repairs they could if they wanted to but they should not half to. There was much discussion and it was decided that if any person or group of people wanted to make a donation to any of these entities, they should be able to do so. FUND RAISING & SOLICITING Mr. Anninos said that Channel 28 is a non-profit organization and they raise money all the time. There was much discussion about possibilities for fundraising and sponsors and amending the bylaws. Mr. Rowland made a motion to continue this item and adding advertising to the next meeting. Mr. Arnold seconded the motion. AYES: Mr. Rowland, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Clow, Mr. Anninos NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 SBTV-3 NEWSLETTER Ms. Fort-Lincke said that the Board members had received a mock copy of a newsletter at the last Board meeting. She said that Mr. Earl Chessher had intended on attending the meeting but could not at the last minute. It was decided to table this item until the next meeting. REPAIRS IN LEISURE WORLD Ms. Fort-Lincke said that this item was requested by Mr. Clow. Mr. Clow said that since Comcast had left the meeting he would have to wait until the next meeting. . . . PG 8 SBCCF MINUTES 1/20/97 REPORTS PUBLIC ACCESS Mr. Anninos brought up the letter to the Board written by the Los Alamitos School Board. Mr. Arnold said the he would like to request staff support to write a letter to Comcast requesting playback hours several times including the 2nd & 4th Mondays Mr. Rowland seconded the motion. AYES: Mr. Rowland, Mr. Clow, MR. Anninos, MR. Arnold NAYES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 Ms. Fort-Lincke said that as of this date that the actual taping of the meetings has not yet been worked out between the School Board and LATV. Mr. Arnold would like clarification from Comcast regarding the annual payment of $75,000 to the Foundation at the end of the franchise, as to whether it will be paid to the Foundation as per the previous contract and who will pay for staff support, LIO and funds to public access and all provisions of the existing contract an agenda item for the next meeting. CORRESPONDENCE Mr. Arnold said that he thought it was very nice to receive the thank you letter from Kate Pedigo and the LW Video Producers Club. He requested a copy of the list of Board members and Comcast contacts. He said that he would like to receive copies of correspondence to the Board asap. Mr. Anninos apologized to the Board for forgetting to bring up an item concerning Ms. Hossinger before she left. He said that he had received a letter from her and was certain all other Board members had received the same letter regarding the maintenance of the studio equipment. He said that his letter stated that Ms. Hossinger could find no documentation indicating the responsibility of the maintenance and as far as she could tell, it was not Comcast responsibility. He said that he responded to her letter with a letter and copy of the last three year interim agreement indicating the responsibility of maintaining the studio and studio equipment to be Comcast. He apologized for not copying the Board and said that he would do so. Mr. Anninos requested that the maintenance of the studio equipment be added to the agenda. . . . PG 9 SBCCF MINUTES 1/20/97 BOARD COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Arnold said that he would like to know how Comcast is marketing the basic cable rate and what residents are getting. He asked MR. Anninos to request from the city a read-out of the subscriber base and what revenue is in one year. He said he thought it was 8,000 without Leisure World. Mr. Rowland said he didn't think the Board should be getting into this. Mr. Arnold said the that the Board needed to know to see how much money "we're talking about" and how much additional money to ask for for the future. Mr. Clow said that he would like to know. Mr. Anninos said that it would be good for the Board to know. Mr. Anninos said that the parade entry was a tremendous hit. He said it was a pick- up truck with spot-lights on the crowd and Christmas lights on the truck, 2 cameras, 2 monitors and the CG. He said that the kids went crazy seeing themselves on television. There was a discussion about funding for a one page flyer insert in the paper supporting public access. Mr. Arnold requested clarification of the age requirements for public access equipment be added to the agenda for the next meeting. Mr. Clow requested that WAVE Awards reimbursement be added to the agenda for the next meeting. Ms. Fort-Lincke said that Mr. Mueller was very ill and asked if the Board would like to send him something to cheer him up. Mr. Arnold made a motion for Ms. Fort-Lincke to purchase a plant for no more than $50.00 to send to Mr. Mueller. Mr. Clow seconded the motion. AYES: Mr. Anninos, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Clow NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 ADJOURNMENT Mr. Rowland made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 pm. Mr. Arnold seconded the motion. AYES: Mr.Clow, Mr.Rowland,Mr. Arnold, Mr. Anninos NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 '2~CLk& Robin Fort-Lincke Public Access Coordinator --- Peter Anninos Chairman