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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBCCF Min 1994-05-16 '~._-,., . . . SEAL BEACH CABLE COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES FOR MAY 16,1994 The Board of Directors for the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation met May 16, 1994 at the Mary Wilson Library in Seal Beach, California. Mr.Palmer called the meeting to order at 7: IOpm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The pledge was led by Mr. Paul Rowland. ROLL CALL Mr. Palmer, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Clow, Mr. Mueller and Mrs. Dahlin were all present. Barbara Luna from Comcast was present. . CONSENT CALENDER REVIEW OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 25. 1994 Ms. Dahlin suggested a correction to page 3 in the tally of votes. It should read AYES - 4 NAYES - 1. The spelling of Mr. Laszlo's name was also corrected (no "W"). Ms. Luna agreed. Ms. Dahlin moved to accept and file the minutes of April 25 with the corrections. Mr. Mueller seconded the motion. AYES: Mr. Mueller, Ms. Dahlin, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Clow, Mr. Palmer NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 5-0 FINANCIAL REPORT AND CHECK REQUEST Mr. Mueller stated that he did not see a financial report. Ms. Luna stated that she had called Mr. Harris and was informed that he was on vacation. Mr. Mueller stated that it was his recollection that the Board was still very solvent. Ms. Dahlin moved that the check request for GTE in the amount of $2.89 be approved. Mr. Rowland seconded. AYES: Ms. Dahlin, Mr. Clow, Mr. Palmer, Mr Rowland, Mr. Mueller NAYES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 5-0 OLD BUSINESS Mr. Mueller asked if Mr. Mackney was coming to the meeting. Ms. Luna said no. Mr. Mueller then suggested that since there was no list of guidelines of responaibilities regarding the new position of Public Access Coordinator from Mr. Mackney, that item A be tabled until that information is available. . SBCCF minutes 5/16/94 pg. 2 Mr. Palmer said that the Board should not wait for Mr. Mackney. He stated that it was 6 months last time between coordinators and he suggested that the Board find out what they should do to in order to fill the position. Ms. Luna stated that Mr. Mackney had posted two positions open. One for the L.O./Public Access Coordinator and one for L.O./Supervisor. She stated that the L.O./ Supervisor position is a new position. Mr. Clow made a motion for Mr. Palmer to contact the City Manager to see if they can get an executive at Comcast to deal with some of these problems. Ms. Dahlin seconded the motion. AYES: Ms. Dahlin, Mr. Clow, Mr. Mueller, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Palmer NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 5-0 - USE OF VAN FOR PUBLIC ACCESS PRODUCERS Mr. Palmer suggested that item B be tabled until Mr. Mackney comes back to the Board with the information previously mentioned regarding Public Access. Mr. Mueller stated that in the original Form K, that Public Access has use of the van with no mention of rental. . EQUIPMENT/FACILITY TROUBLE REPORT Mr. Palmer reported that there is a form in each Board members packet. Ms. Luna stated that blank forms are now posted on the bulletin board by the Public Access Coordinator's office and in the studio. She explained that when someone fills out the form, it is then routed to Evan Guyer and he will initial it. There will be only one copy: Ms. Luna stated that when the problem arises and the form is filled out by an individual, she should be notified by that individual so that she is aware of the problem and can follow up on the repair of the equipment. Mr. Mueller suggested that Ms. Luna keep a file of the reports for documentation of problems, particularly recurring problems. Ms. Luna said that she intended to do so. Ms. Dahlin expressed concern that if there were only one copy of the report, there is no way to follow up on it. Ms. Luna stated that an access producer could make a xerox copy for themselves prior to turning it in. PROGRAM LISTING FOR CHANNEL 3 IN LOCAL NEWSPAPER Mr. Palmer stated that the subject of listing the programming in the local newspaper was brought up in the last meeting and Ms. Luna was going to research whether the paper would publish it for nothing. Ms. Luna stated that they would not publish it for nothing and that the fee for 2 . columns, 36" would be $192.00 per week. . SBCCF minutes 5/9/94 pg. 3 There was discussion that the listing would not require that much space every week. Ms. Luna stated that the listing would include L.a. programming as well as Public Access programming. There was discussion about the size of the column and the price of the publishing. Ms. Luna suggested that she investigate the cost of listing only Tuesday 8. Thursday as a non-profit organization separate from listing the L.a. programming. Mr. Palmer suggested that this item be tabled until Ms. Luna has an opportunity to research this avenue. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION . Ms. Terri Quinlan stated that she had not seen the form but expressed concern over xeroxing the form instead of having for example, and NCR form. Mr. Palmer suggested that we try the xeroxing method first and see how it works and the Access Producer should keep a copy. Mr. Robert Roy wanted to know if it would be okay to address any business issues. Mr. Palmer suggested that he wait until they reach this point in the meeting. Everyone agreed. NEW BUSINESS LAST MINUTE CHANGES TO PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE Mr. Ron Diller is a Co-Producer of Seal Beach Town Hall. He stated that he had scheduled a studio shoot that would be broadcast live on Thursday, May 5th. He received a call on the Monday or Tuesday prior to Thursday from Marla Kreps that the Seal Beach Cable Foundation had advised her that the schedule could not be changed to accommodate his live show. He would have to tape his show rather than go live. Mr. Diller stated that this was the last Thursday before the following Tuesday, the day of the election. He also stated that it had been a longstanding practice that if one producer had a valid reason for a particular time slot and the producer of a show holding that slot was in agreement to switch or let it go, then as long as it didn't affect anything else that is what would happen. Mr. Diller stated that subsequent to that, he was informed that the Board or someone from the Board directed Marla Kreps. . Mr. Palmer stated that he had talked to Marla Kreps about the subject of changing shows when they have been advertised on the CG and/or in the newspaper. He stated that as far as she knew, they had never switched a live show for a show that had already been advertised. Mr. Palmer stated that their discussion concerned how to handle a situation in which the Board had provided information to the public and then changed it. He said that Ms. Kreps was only aware of this occurring with taped shows and gave the example a taped Leisure World show coming in and replacing a previously taped show. Mr. Palmer stated that he suggested they find out where to . . . SBCCF minutes 5/16/94 pg. 4 go for an answer to this situation. He spoke to Mr. Mackneyat Comcast and Mr. Mackney told him that he wasn't sure how to handle this situation and he would find out and have someone return a call to Mr. Palmer. Mr. Palmer stated that Mr. Mackney did not return the call, however he spoke to Marla Kreps the following day and informed her that it was okay to switch the program. Mr. Palmer did not recall if he contacted Marla Kreps or if Ms. Kreps contacted him. Mr. Diller asked Mr. Palmer if he understood him to say that he, Mr. Palmer directed Marla Kreps to call Mr. Diller and say that he could not have his show. Mr. Palmer said he recalled his conversation to Marla Kreps as stating that he told her that he was confused as to whether the Board's responsibility to the public when something has been advertised is more important than changing a show. He stated that he asked Ms. Kreps if the Board has ever changed a show like this before and was told by Ms. Kreps, no not to her knowledge. Mr. Palmer stated that on that day or the next day he contacted Mr. Mackney. Mr. Diller then asked Mr. Palmer if he was saying then, that he did not tell her what to do. Mr. Palmer replied that he did not tell Ms. Kreps to do exactly this or don't do exactly that. He said that they needed to find out what to do. Discussion continued as to whether or not someone had complained about having to have their show moved from the time slot. Mr. Palmer stated that Marla had told him that someone had complained. Mr. Diller asked who that person was because they had contacted all of the people they.needed to contact ~d no one had complained to him. Mr. Palmer reiterated that this was a unique circumstance for the Board to be involved with. They had no experience in dealing with this type of a situation which also included politics and they wanted to research it. Mr. Palmer stated that he wanted to call a meeting but there wasn't enough time to do that prior to the date of the show. He said that after all of this, everyone will be wiser in handling these types of situations. Mr. Palmer asked if the show went on. Mr. Diller stated that after much aggravation, no advance publicity or promotion. He did not know until the last minute whether or not he would be able to have his show. Mr. Diller said that they were scrambling to get the show on and he felt that it was a well balanced show because they had live call-ins. He reiterated that they had asked both candidates to participate and it was not a producer's responsibility to force someone to participate on a program in order to present both sides. He stated that he had tried to address this at the meeting of April 18 , 1994 and stated that the Board had no authority to censor content of public access programs. He said that he wanted to clear this up and get some answers because this is the second time it had happened to him. Mr. Diller went on to explain that on the first occasion, when phoned Mr. Palmer to find out what the problem was, Mr. Palmer told him that he should attend the next Board meeting and hung up on him. Mr. Diller said that the next Board meeting would have been after his show was to air. . SBCCF minutes 5/16/94 pg. 5 Mr. Palmer apologized for hanging up on Mr. Diller and explained that he did not know that Mr. Diller was an Access Producer. He stated that he was not familiar with his name and had never met him before. Mr. Diller stated that he thought he adequately explained who he was. He said that he had not been rude and just asked for an explanation of the previous stated situation. Mr. Palmer apologized again and stated that his recollection was also that Mr. Diller had not been rude. He reiterated that he did not know who he was talking to. Mr. Palmer stated that he was disappointed because he didn't realize that this was going to get into a political situation. Mr. Palmer reiterated that the entire situation of changing the show and the political content of the show was all new to the Board and that for the future, perhaps there should be some kind of a form that Producer's sign off on when a situation arises that requires a show to be switched. . Mr. Diller then asked the Board if any other members were involved in this situation. Mr. Mueller stated that he was. He said that he instructed Marla to follow the schedule. He stated that Mr. Diller had not originally asked for May 5th, but May 12th to air his show and that he went around their rules in order to get their show on May 5th. He stated that the Board may not have a right to regulate what you say, but they do have a right to enforce the rules. He reiterated that he instructed Marla to follow the schedule as it was published, that it was in accordance with all previous work that the Board has done. Mr. Rob Roy stated that at the last meeting he was told by Mr. Mueller that if he got approval from the other Access Producers to switch their shows, that he could go ahead with their (his and Mr. Diller's) show. He stated that he called all the Prodbcers and got the ]1ermission that was requested. There was a discussion about if and where the programming list gets published. Mr. Diller stated that when a practice such as asking another Producer's permission to switch shows has been the established practice over a period of time and may not be the rule, that when continued this established prectice becomes the rule. He stated that he and Mr. Roy had asked the Board's direction, followed the procedure and it was his opinion that it had nothing to do with scheduling, that it was his feeling that for strictly political reasons attempts were made to stop his show from airing. Much discussion ensued. Mr. Diller explained that his attorney, Mr. Owen Trainer faxed a letter to Mr. Greg Mackney at Comcast putting them on notice that this was political shenanigans and they better step in and take care of it. . Ms Dahlin asked Mr. Diller what he would like the Board to do. Mr. Owen Trainer stated that he represented Mr. Diller and that he wanted to advise the Board that they could not censor the content of a public access show. He also said that the Board did not have the right to make changes to the programming schedule, that this is the responsibility of Comcast. He stated that the Board waa . . . SBCCF minutes 5/16/94 pg. 6 liable on behalf of the City of Seal Beach for it's actions and he had spoken to the City Attorney. Mr. Trainer then indicated that Ms. Terri Quinlan was presenting her resume for the position of Public Access Coordinator to the Board. He stated that he felt she was qualified and recommended to the Board that they contact Mr. Mackney at Comcast regarding it. Ms. Quinlan suggested that the City Manager be consulted to contact Mr. Mackney and request a due date for a response from someone at Comcast to be present at the Board meetings and a deadline for the Public Access Coordinator position to be filled. Ms. Luna stated that sh~ would be assuming the responsibilities of Public Access Coordinator with the help of Dominic Dimare and Robin Fort-Lincke until the position had been filled and was confident that things should run very smoothly. INTERVAL HOUSE Mr. Palmer read a letter he wrote to Mr. Rosenthal at Comcast regarding the costs that would be incurred in the process of notifying students, postal fees, printing and promotion with the change of the Educational Channel 20 for Comcast Channel 53. He stated that Comcast had agreed to pay these costs which they estimated at $2000. The change happened unexpectedly and none of costs were incurred by Comcast since none of the notification, etc. took place. Therefore, Mr. Palmer suggested that 1/2 of these savings of the $2000 or $1000 be donated by Comcast to Interval House, a non-profit organization in Seal Beach. Mr. Palmer said the Comcast informed him that they would not be making a donations. . . Ms. Luna stated that she was unaware of Mr. Palmer's letter, and that she had a discussion with Robin at Interval House regarding producing shows about the organization. Ms. Quinlan expressed and interest in doing a show for Interval House and said that she had done a show on them in the past. There was a discussion about previously videotaped shows about Interval House and it was suggested that someone look at these tapes. There was a discussion about listing shows as suggestions for Public Access Producers to produce and Mr. Palmer asked Ma. Luna if she could develop a form for these suggested programs. REPORTS PUBLIC ACCESS Mr. Palmer stated that Ms. Kreps used to handle this and Ms. Luna stated that she would be assuming this role during the transition. Mr. Palmer stated Ms. Kreps had told him that classes had been scheduled for May 7th and 14th and Ms. Luna said that Evan Guyer would pick-up those classes. . SBCCF minutes 5/16/94 pg. 7 LOCAL ORIGINATION There was a discussion about which shows were dropped from the list. Ms. Luna stated that a Leisure World show was the only show dropped. She said that the May 5th OCHSA show and two games on May 14th completes the 93-94 schedule for Comcast. She added that for the 94-95 schedule that two men's baseball games, one on May 11th and one on May 16th and a Los Alamitos girls softball game on May 12th were already videotaped. Mr. Mueller stated that he felt that $5000 spent on L.a. was basically on one topic - OCHSA and he would like to see more variety. Mr. Palmer explained that the OCHSA programs included at least 400 students from all over Orange County and the programs are very good. Mr. Clow brought up the issue of bicycling Los Alamitos shows. Ms. Luna stated that this had been attempted previously, but Los Alamitos shows include commercials. There was a discussion about commercials and advertising. It was suggested that Ms. Luna get a particular book which outlines sample bylaws, IRS regulations, etc. The book may be called 501 Receipt Corp. . Mr. Mueller stated that he felt it was premature to authorize any more shoots for L.a. from Comcast when they have not responded to their support proposal. Mr. Palmer read a letter from Mr. Mackney regarding infomercials and leased access on Channel 3 . He suggested that if Comcast is making money from leased access that perhaps the city of Seal Beach was entitled to a cut. He added that infomercials should be included in the city's contract with Comcast. There was discussion about Comcast's use of Public Access equipment. Mr. Mueller asked Ms. Luna to check on who is paying for the maintenance of the 3/4" machines. CORRESPONDENCE Ms. Dahlin stated that she had signed the tax forms. Ms. Luna stated that she had written her own check for $10.00 in conjunction with these tax forms. Mr. Palmer instructed Ms. Luna to get $10.00 form petty cash from Ms. Kreps. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Palmer suggested another Board meeting prior to the next scheduled meeting in the hopes that Mr. Mackney would be in attendance. . There was discussion about how the Board could be assured of this and is would be pointless to have the meeting without Mr. Mackney. . . e SBCCF minutes 5/16/94 pg. 8 Ms. Luna said she would try to determine when he would be available. Mr. Clow stated that he had noticed the postage fee on his packet was $2.90 and it should have been $.98. Ms. Luna said that she would check her postage meter. It was suggested that the Public Access Producer's List be researched to find out who is current. Mr. Rowland moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:49pm and Ms. Dahlin seconded to motion. AYES: Ms. Dahlin, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Clow, Mr. Mueller, Mr. Rowland NA YES: -0- MOTION PASSED: 5-0 Ms. Luna stated that she would research when Mr. Mackney would be available to attend another meeting. Joseph Palmer, Chairman Barbara Luna, Recorder