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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBCCF Min 1994-03-21 , . . . . SEAL BEACH CABLE COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DffiECTORS MEETING MINUTES FOR MARCH 21, 1994 The Board of Directors for the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation met March 21, 1994 at Comcast Cable in Seal Beach, California, Mr, Palmer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The pledge of allegiance was lead by Joe Palmer. ROLL CALL Mr. Palmer, Mr, Mueller, Mr. Clow, Mr, Rowland. Mrs. Dahlin was absent. Marla Kreps from Corncast was present. CONSENT CALENDAR REVIEW OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 21. 1994 Mr, Clow made corrections to the minutes. Mr. Claw made the motion to accept and file the minutes as changed. Mr, Rowland seconded the motion. A\J::S: ?vfr. Clow, Mr, Rowland, Mr. Palmer, Mr, Mueller NAYS: -0- },IOTION PASSED: 4-0 FINANCIAL REPORT & CHECK REQUESTS Mr. Mueller said that it looks like the Board is still faulted but didn't see anything very unusual about that, check requests, we finally paid for part time employees - $1,362.00, l\-Ir. Palmer asked about the $210,00 for the access fees and $100,00 allocated to Teni Quinlan for a banner. Ms. Kreps said the $100,00 or whatever the actual amount is will be paid to te vendor. l\-1r. Mueller added that the Board appears to still be faulted, We have equity debts and as of yet we have not paid Comcast. Ms. Kreps asked about numbers from the old and new budget. She said that the negative figures are actually wrong because the new budget had been approved. Mr, Mueller asked Ms, Kreps if she would give a copy of the new budget to Mr, Zaharas. Ms. Kreps said she would, Mr. Rowland made the motion to accept and file the financial report. Mr, Claw seconded. .' . . . 2 A YES: Mr. Clow, lvlr. Rowland. lvlr. Paimer. }'.Ir. Mueller NAYS: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 ACCESS FEES !vlr, Palmer said that Hal Robertson wants $400.00 for a van shoot. lvIr, Rowland said it was a play-off game. lvIr. Palmer asked what kind of game it was. lvlr, Rowland said it was bowling, lvIr. Palmer that he remembered the board approving it in previous years, Ms. Kreps said it was in the budget. lvIr. Clow asked how much the budget was. He said Ihe board will not be in budget. Ms. Kreps said that the board would never be within budget. lvIr. Palmer said the board is taking in 31 and spending 41, he said !vir. Clow was right. lvlr. Rowland motioned to approve the $400,00 for Hal Robertson and lvlr, Clow seconded, AYES: lvIr. Clow, lvlr, Rowland. lvIr. Palmer. lvlr. Mueller NAYS: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 rvlr, Clow said that the last time they rented the van they didn't have the proper equipment and he felt it was a disaster. He asked Ms, Kreps if she-remembered. lvIr. Clow said Peter Arminos was there. Ms, Kreps said that the particular shoot was two years ago and that a more recent van shoot had been done since then. Mr. Clow said that a van shoot hadn't been done in Leisure World since the bowling game two years ago, NIr, Palmer asked if the newer cameras had heen used, NIr, Clow said no. Ms, Kreps said that she will make sure that the van has evetylhing needed for a successful shoot. Mr. Clow said he would appreciate it. lvIr, Palmer asked when the bowling event was scheduled because he would like to attend, NIr, Rowland said May 10, Mr, Rowland will call Ms. Kreps to work out all the production details. OLD BUSINESS GliIDELlNE CHANGES NIr. Palmer said that the Guideline Changes was something that lvIr. Clow wanted to talk about. Ms, Kreps said it was about under Prohibitions - restrictions on SBTV program content - #2 should be reworded or have something added. It currently says, Any advertising on behalf of candidates for elected or appointive office their political parties or election ballot issues, The reason it got brought up was because there has been plenty of controversy over that particular point which has resulted in a conintual debate. Ms. Kreps said she thought it would be a good idea for the Board to further define this to make it " . . . 3 more clear for both public access producers, herself and for the Board, Ms. Kreps read Section 7 - item 2 again. She said that up to this point nobody completely understands it and therefore should be changed or reworded for more clarity and so everyone knows exactly what the meaning is, Mr, Clow said that on page 2 - programming of Seal Beach TV should be for the people of the Seal Beach community. Programs may be ofIocal importance, origin or perspective, They may involve or concern local people, issues or events, Programs may also present issues or topics with a wider focus which have a direct bearing on the lives of people of Seal Beach. lVIr. Palmer said suppose the Board would add any advertising on behalf of candidates for elective or appointed office or political parties or election baUot issues must be equally distributed. Mr, Rowland said the board should offer equal time, Mr, Mueller said he would like to expand it to say the Board offers equal time on the same show at the same time. Mr. Mueller felt that if a program only has one candidate on it, that he considered that to be advertising. Mr. Clow asked if he could playa show on Garamendi, Mr, Palmer said no. Mr, Clow said that aI1)1hing could be put on the air and if it's to risque it should go on later in the evening. Mr, Palmer said he wasn't concerned about Mr. Clow being to risque, Someone from the public asked that since the board is not giving any money to the production, wouldn't the access producer have free reign to produce any type: of show he wanted? lVIr. Mueller asked Ms, Kreps where the prohibitions came from, he said that he asswned that it was a summary from the FCC Act. Ms. Kreps said that she was not at Comcast when the guidelines were established. Someone from the public said that he thought it was Bill Gray, Mr. Palmer said that the board had to be careful not to give the appearance of censorship, He felt that at the same time there had to be some way of saying that we can't censor. For example let's say Hal and Rob are both Republicans and therefore for the Republican candidate and they put up a show and they have the Republican candidate appearing. And it just happens that they either aren't any Democrats in the public access department and the Republican public access producers won't work with them or the situation could be reverse, does that mean that the only people that would be shown are the Republicans or the Democrats depending on the views of the public access producers? Mr. Clow said that there is a show scheduled for 3/22/94 it's the Democratic party, he added that he was a Republican, but big enough to let it go. Mr. Rowland said that if a public access producer wants to produce a show that has a candidate, one candidate, he has the right to do it. If the opposing candidate complains about that, then he has the right to a show. / /J . . . 4 Mr, Mueller said that we are going to have a battle of the producers because this is the first year. A couple of years later we're going to have one candidate for five producers. It's not reaDy what public access is about When looking over the prohibitions, maybe Ms. Kreps didn't draft them, maybe it was Susan Grab, he also said he did not think that the prohibitions were picked out of thin air, Mr. Mueller said that he thought the prohibition came from the FCC guidelines. Mr. Clow said that Susan Grab and Bill Gray used the guidelines from Fullerton. Mr. Clow said he would like to know where they came from, and would like to look at the FCC guidelines. IVIr, Clow said that the board approved the guidelines, Mr, Mueller said that the board had approved the guidelines, but felt that specific section 2 on page 7 should be looked at further. He felt that having one candidate on the show would be advertising. Mr. Rowland said that if the opposing candidate complained that the producer should produce a show for the opposing candidate also, which will give equal time. Ms. Kreps said that the issue is complicated and that perhaps it would be better served to have a separate meeting or a special conunittee for this particular issue, Mr, Clow said it's just a program, Mr, Clow motioned to make a program for any candidate running for office. IVIr, Mueller said that local candidates should have equal time. ivIr, Rowland said he did not second the motion because it did not provide for equal time if candidates request it Mr. Clow said that he did not think that it had to be said, he said that if a candidate wants a show then the board will give it to them. IVIr, Mueller said that the board does not have communication with everybody out there, and that most people aren't going to know that. If people find out that may cause them to get angry and caD the Board. IVIr. Rowland said that would be fine if it's the process of getting equal time, IVIr. Clow said that the Board needs some kind of programming for public access, there is not much programming. Let's put something different in, what's wrong with it. Mr. Mueller said "bias elections, that's what it comes down to me. I can see people with more money and more contacts reaDy flooding our air waves, For this election, I think we're too late." 'Three or more programs would be fine. that would highlight candidates. Ms. Kreps said, what if only one candidate is sho\\n, and the other candidates get upset. Who are they going to get upset with'? The candidates are going to come to the Board of Directors who made the rules, Mr, Rowland asked what are they going to be upset about'? If they want equal time they can have it. Ms. Kreps said that these are issues that the Board needs to take a look at because it is going to get back to the Board of aD the ramifications this issue could have. IVIr, Clow reminded the Board of his show ",;ith Barbara Bush, he said it was political because she was campaigning for (':reorge, He said that everyone knew he did the show. Mr, Mueller said he cares about local Seal Deach politics. and equal time. IVIr, Mueller said that he doesn't care about national politics. Mr. Rowland said that the Board should not draw a line between local and national but rather something is either political or it is not. IVIr. Pahner said he likes Ms. Kreps idea of each of the board members taking a look at the guidelines again and come in with specific suggestions tor modifications. Mr. Clow said -' . . . 5 that the board should continue to allow political shows. He said there has never been a problem before. He said that before 4:00 that channel 3 has Sacramento on. wlr. Mueller asked how he would feel if after the League of Woman Voters show, Ron DiIlar would have a show with one side or with only one candidate? Mr. Mueller said he would have felt cheated and wlr. Clow said that he would not. Someone from the public said that maybe the Board should table the issue and in\-ite the public to voice their opinions, Mr, Rowland said it was difference of opinion, Mr, Palmer said he just wants to make it clear so that nobody feels cheated. 'Vir. Palmer tabled guideline changes for ne;\1 meeting, with specific page number 7, item number 2, VO PROGRAl\iI1vIlNG CHANGES l...lr. Rowland asked if that's what Steve Rosenthal was bringing up? Mr. Palmer said yes, and that l\'Ir. Rosenthal suggested a committee, Mr, Palmer said he said that he didn't think the Board should get involved with a committee, however it would be fine if someone might come up with ideas on our 25 Local Origination shows. Mr. Mueller said that he agreed that a committee was not necessary. He said that many of the parents love the atWetic shows rather than news programs, !vir. Palmer said that a monthly news show may be good for a public access producer, He suggested a news show to corne out of Leisure World, He said that most people don't know what's going on over there. wlr, Rowland said that the Board should tell Mr. Rosenthal that any news shows will be dOlle by Leisure World. lVfr. Palmer said that he agreed. . l\ofr. Clow said that we are behind on VO shows, and that on 2/11 they did three shows at once. Ms, Kreps asked if the hoard wanted to address this now or during the VO report? Mr. Palmer said now would be fine. Ms. Kreps said that it is almost the end of the year and some of the shows have not yet been done by Corncast. Ms. Kreps said that some of thC shows will have to be changed, For example, wornan's basketball is out of season. Ms, Kreps said that the department has been working together to complete the franchise agreement. Mr. Claw asked about three shows in one day? Ms. Kreps said that she did the soccer game. Mr. Claw said that he thought Ms, Kreps was taking care of the public access office, Ms. Kreps said she does. Mr. Clow asked how Ms, Kreps can do other things'! Mr. Mueller asked how many people were assisting at the soccer game? Ms, Kreps said three. l\'Ir. Clow said he doesn't understand how three UO shows were completed in in one day? Ms. Kreps said that she was on one field with one I11Jck doing the soccer game and Tom Dunn was with the other I11Jck on the basketball court. Mr. Claw a.~ked for a copy of the games, Ms. Kreps said that ifMr, Claw brought his tapes in she could copy them for him. lVfr. Claw said that he wants the board to furnish the tapes. wfr. Claw motioned that the board approve three tapes to be used for his viewing and any other board member to see what happened on 2/11. Ms. Kreps said it will be more than three tapes. !vir. Rowland suggested !vfr. Claw view the tapes at Corncast. Mr, Claw said no. Mr. Mueller seconded the motion. .' . . . 6 AYES: Mr. Clow, Mr. Mueller, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Palmer NAYS: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 Mr. Palmer said the Board should review VO program changes every meeting. Mr. Rowland said the board will table VO changes at this time, Mr. Mueller asked if Mr. Palmer also wants it to become an item on the agenda for every meeting. Ms. Kreps said that VO will not be able to finish shows by March 31. Mr. Palmer said we can look at the baseball season. Mr. Palmer said that the board wants to know what shows will be substituted, maybe we can do some baseball games, let's just tIy to work it out, ESTABLISH PROGRAM COMMl'ITEE Mr, Palmer said that this is what Steve Rosenthal had suggested and that he didn't feel like getting involved with a committee, Mr, Palmer added that maybe one member would be more alert and keep the members informed. Mr. Rowland motioned that the board does not establish a program c~ttee. Mr. Mueller seconded. AYES: Mr, Rowland, !vIr, Mueller, Mr. Clow, Mr. Palmer NAYS: -0- MOTIONED PASSED: 4-0 AUDIENCE COMMUNlCA nON No further audience communication, NEW BUSINESS CHANNEL 20'S MOVE TO 53 Mr, Palmer said Comcast wrote Board a letter asking to move channel 20 to channel 53, The reason given in the letter was because there is something going on with a movie ch:mnel that they wanted to put in, and for some reason that movie channel couldn't come in on any Comcast station above channel 20 and all the other stations were taken. So Comcast suggested or requested that the Board be willing to move the educational channel to 53 and they could put the movie channel onto 20. This would provide the people of Seal Beach a real break as far as this channel went, for 99 cents or whatever it was, so it would be hard tor t he board to say - you can't do that. Mr, Palmer said that the board agreed to move to channel 53 and that supposedly Comcast has the right to request this. Seal Beach has three channels and the most definite one is probably channel 3. Mr. Palmer said that Mr, Rosenthal proposed that Comcast would send out information in their billing system about the change, special post cards, and this and that. Mr, Palmer said that .. . . . 1 Mr, Rosenthal must have forgotten because the channel has been changed and the board was never notified nor was Coastline Community College was never notified either. Mr, Mueller said it would have been for someone taking the class to have known where it was because part of the reason was that they had to scramble the channel. Mr. Palmer said that the Board, Ms. Kreps and the playback operator didn't know. Mr, Palmer said that if Mr, Rosenthal would have just notified the Board, they would have been able to make things better. Mr, Palmer said the graphics have been COlTCCted by Ms. Kreps, Mr. Clow said that the Board made an agreement with Mr. Rosenthal to change and he was going to do so many things to implement it. Now, the board can take back channel 20. Mr, Palmer said that maybe the board can write a letter or something, Mr, Rowland suggested that whenever there is a major issue like switching the channels, with Mr, Rosenthal, the Board should require him to have an attorney draw up an agreement, and let the Board review the agreement and if the Board make changes. fine, Mr. Rowland said that the Board should no longer take Mr. Rosenthal's word for, rather the Board should ask for everything in writing. Mr. Mueller said that he wanted to be sure that a letter is written to Mr. Rosenthal. Mr. Palmer said that he would write the letter. Mr. Palmer said that maybe two or three members should sign it because he did not want the letter to be threatening in any way. Mr. Mueller motioned to write a letter to Steve for a foHow through on the cbange from channel 20 to 53, AYES: Mr. Mueller, Mr, Clow, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Palmer NAYS: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 Me, Rowland asked about the night of The League of Women Voters Forum? Mr, Rowland said he noticed a commercial on after the show, Mr, Mueller said he thought it went into Ron Dillard's show. Mr. Palmer asked if the board is entitled to any money if commercials are sold on their time? Mr, Rowland asked why Leisure World shows aren't shown rather than a commercial? Mr. Palmer said he should write a letter about that. Mr. Palmer asked Ms, Kreps if she knew if the city is entitled to any money? Ms. Kreps replied that the Board should talk to Me, Rosenthal in order to get the proper infonnation. Mr. Mueller said the Board should take a closer look at the contract. Mr. Clow asked if the contract was up this year. Ms, Kreps said she thought it was 1997. ,/ 8 . REPORTS PUBLIC ACCESS Ms, Kreps said that SBTV has been chosen for the sitc for judging the Hometown Video F estivaJ, and that it is a really big honor and asked if any of the Board members would like to participate in the judging, Mr. Rowland, Ivh'. Clow, and h-h', Palmer will participate in the judging. Ms, Kreps said that because of her time spent pJanning Hometown, the open house will not bw in April like Ias year, SBTV will be judging the last 2 wekks in April and therefore the open house will need to be moved. Ms, Kreps said that classes are coming along just fine. A porta-pac class is being taught in Leisure Wodd and a studio class Tuesday night just finished. There is a porta-pac class in old town and editing start tomorrow. Someone from the public said that he was able to participate with Marla while teaching the class, and that she did a really nice job with the students, . Mr, Rowland asked Ivls, Kreps how many students she had in Leisure World'? Ivls. Kreps said that there are 4 students. , Ms, Kreps asked board when the open house should be'? IvJr, Rowland suggested mid lwu:. Mr. Mueller suggested September, Board agreed September would be a good month for the open house. Mr. Rowland asked Ms, Kreps about Anderson and the C.G. Ms, Kreps said she would call Anderson tomorrow. Ms. Kreps said that she would like to profile the Board members in a news letter that she is planning to send out. Mr, Clow said he would take the pictures, Ms, Kreps needs the bios from the board by April 6, The Board agreed. LOCAL ORIGINATION Ms. Kreps said that the Easter parade will video taped this Sunday - March 27. Mr, Clow said that VO still had six shows to do. Ms. Kreps said that it will be taken care of, and also, that the Board did approve the shows . that were done on 2/11194. / . . . , . 9 CORRESPONDENCE No letters BOARD COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Clow would like Ms. Kreps to find out why channel 7 does not come in good in Leisure World. Ms. Kreps said that he would have to speak with Laurie Cortez in customer service, she would be able to help him. Mr. Rowland motioned that the meeting be adjourned at 8:25pm. Mr, Mueller seconded. AYES: Mr, Rowland, Mr, Mueller, Mr. Clow, Mr. Palmer NAYS: -0- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 Joseph Palmer, Chainnan Marla Kreps, P A C;oordinator MKlbI I