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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBCCF Min 1991-06-15 . SEAL BEACH CABLE COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Comcast Cablevision Facilities July 15, 1991 The Board of Directors of the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., on June 17, 1991, at Comcast Cablevision Facilities, 201 - 8th Street, Seal Beach, California, with Chairman, Mr. James Clow calling the meeting to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Director Dahlin led the salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL: Directors present were Mr. Clow, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Yglesias, Mrs. Betty Dahlin and Mr. Mueller. Mike conley, Comcast Cablevision, was present. Marla Kreps, Public Access Coordinator, was present. Pat Sharp, Staff Support, was present. ... MINUTES OF JUNE 17. 1991 After due discussion, Mr. Yglesias made a motion to approve the Minutes as amended. Mr. Mueller seconded said motion. AYES: Mr. Clow, Mr. Mr. Mueller None 5-0 Robertson, Mr. Yglesias, Mrs. Dahlin and NOES: Approved: Access Fees - Trula Thompson & Harlene GOOdrich Ms. Thompson and Ms. Goodrich requested $50.00 for two shows, but would only use one studio time slot. After due discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Robertson to approve $25.00 for access fees for the production of "Eco Talk 1/6 & 7". Motion seconded by Mr. Yglesias. Ms. Sharp suggested that Producers who are only requesting access fees not have to be present to have the grant approved. Ms. Kreps stated that the majority of the Producers who are requesting funds usually are Producers who request funds on a regular basis. . AYES: Mr. Clow, Mr. Mr. Mueller None 5-0 RObertson, Mr. Yglesias, Mrs. Dahlin and NOES: Approved: . . . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting July 15, 1991 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Checks from June & Financial ReDort - Laird Mueller Ms. Mueller explained that the reason the Foundation did not have any interest earned for the prior month as well as this month was because Mike Zaharis, City Treasurer of Seal Beach stated that they were crediting interest on a quarterly basis. Mr. Mueller stated that he was going to fOllow-up on this matter because previously the Foundation was receiving interest on a monthly basis. A report was made by Laird Mueller stating that the Foundation was solvent. Ms. Sharp stated that the June Check Request would be added to the August Agenda. AYES: Robertson, Mr. Yglesias, Mrs. Dahlin and NOES: Approved: Mr. Clow, Mr. Mr. Mueller None 5-0 proarammina Update - Mike Conlev Mr. Conley presented the Programming Update to the Board. Mr. Conley told the Board that they were trying schedule programming year-round as opposed to specific times of the year. Mr. Yglesias stated that he had given some information to Marla Kreps regarding the United Way Sand Castle Contest activities that may be of use to L.O. seeking volunteers for the event. Mr. conley presented the Board with a tape of one of the Coastal Focus programs produced by Chris Guzzeta (who was not present at this meeting) which focused on a parasailing activity. Although the Board was impressed with the program, there was some concern with the format, specifically that the program seemed commercial in nature. Mr. conley stated that the program primarily focused on local business, events and activities in the Seal Beach area. Mr. Clow stated that he was of the op~n~on that the Foundation Guidelines did not permit the use of advertising in any of the programs. Mr. Mueller stated that he liked the program but that it was still commercial in nature. Mr. Clow stated that if one business was represented that they would have to focus on all businesses and that again comes under the question of advertising. . . . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting July 15, 1991 Page 3 Mr. Arnold asked that if the Board approved the program, would it be shown out the City of Seal Beach. Mr. Yglesias stated that he would like to the program focus on local events and talent that the City has to offer. Mr. Conley stated that he would contact Mr. Guzzeta and relate the Board's requests regarding the program and stated that he would ask Mr. Guzzeta to come before the Board to discuss the matter. Mr. Robertson stated that the Board should just "table" the program until Mr. Guzzeta could reedit it taking out the commercialism and return to the Board. Mr. Yglesias stated that he wanted the program to be aired since so much work has gone into the making of the program and discuss with Mr. Guzzeta regarding future episodes of Coastal Focus. Mr. Arnold stated that Rick papp, who has an on-going Public Access program, had asked the Board if his program could go "L.O." so that he could promote key volunteer organizations in the community. He was denied the request. Mr. Yglesias made a motion to "table" the funding of the program until such time that the Board has had a discussion with Chris Guzzeta regardinq the format of the program. Mr. , Mueller seconded said motion. AYES: Mr. Clow, Mr. Mr. Mueller None 5-0 Robertson, Mr. Yglesias, Mrs. Dahlin and NOES: Approved: Public Access Report - Marla Krens Ms. Kreps told the Board that she was contacted by Lorimar Productions with information that they were producing a program "Best of the Worse" and that they were seeking Public Access tapes to possible be aired. Ms. Kreps stated that she has contacted some of the Public Access Producers to see if they had any tapes that Lorimar Productions could use. Ms. Kreps stated that the Leisure World Portapack classes starting in AUgust as well as Portapack class here at the Also, editing classes are being held this week and next would be studio. week. . . . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting July 15, 1991 Page 4 Ms. Kreps stated that she had two boxes of old Public Access tapes and that she would be contacting the producers to give them adequate time to respond whether or not they want the old tapes, if they choose not to take their tapes, they will be recycled. Ms. Kreps stated that she needed to replenish the tape stock. She also stated that she contacted several companies but that Public Access does have an account with any of them, she told the Board that she has a credit application so that we could establish credit, but that the first delivery would be on a C.O.D. basis and that amount was $147.66. Mr. Clew asked Ms. Kreps where Suzan Grab purchased tapes, Ms. Sharp stated that Ms. Grab ordered her tapes from a company back east. Ms. Kreps told the Board that the cost of books for the portapack class has been calculated at $500.00 or $10.00 per book. Ms. Kreps stated that Public Access Producer John Dominque asked Ms. Kreps if he could bring in an outside producer. Ms. Kreps stated that she felt that local producers and R.O.P. students should be used instead of persons outside the community. She stated that she did write Mr. Dominque a letter denying his request and gave a copy of that letter to the Board. She said that she understood John's point of view but that over a period time more people would follow suite and would use outside producers rather than local producers. The discussion of this matter is continuing under Audience Communications. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Clow questioned Mr. Fenton regarding R.O.P. students coming from Los Alamitos to train at local studio. Mr. Fenton stated that is was an agreement that Suzan Grab had made with Comcast but that he didn 1 t know if the. Foundation had any knowledge regarding this matter. Mr. Fenton stated that he had a copy of the letter between Suzan and Comcast. Mr. Clow stated that he was never notified that Los Alamitos R.O.P. students were allowed to work in the studio. Mr. Yglesias asked whether we were short of crews to create the need for outside students to come in and do the work. Mr. Clow stated that he didn't know we were short of crews and the Guidelines stated that producers had to either live or work in Seal Beach. Mr. Fenton agreed with Mr. Clow that to be a producer you must live/work in Seal Beach and that he agreed with Marla that local persons should be utilized. . . . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting July 15, 1991 Page 5 Ms. Kreps stated that she has been approached regarding cross-training so that a person has a wide variety of experience. Mr. Fenton stated that there is nothing in the Guidelines that states a producer had to use local persons to assist in the production of any programming. To actually work with the equipment, a person has to be certified through the local Public Access workshops. Mr. Dominque stated that according to the Guidelines a director is not operating the equipment so therefore should be allowed to assist in directing the program. Ms. Kreps stated that the Guidelines also state that the producers seek card-holding users for their programs and that a form was available for posting to seek the services required by that producers. Mr. Dominque also stated that if outside directors could be used then no person providing any other service Le., make-up or anyone working in front of the camera should be used in any production of a program. Ms. Kreps stated that her point was that she was concerned about the ramifications of one person being allowed to bring in outside that the ramifications. Due to everyone talking at the same time, Mr. Conley asked that everyone take their turn in talking regarding the matter. Mr. Conley stated that he felt Ms. Kreps was concerned that if one person were allowed to bring in an outside director it might cause a snowballing effect whereby everyone would start doing it, defeating the purpose of community public access. Mr. Mueller made a motion that the Board approve the request of using an outside director and sometime in the future the Board should revisit the Guidelines. Mr. Robertson seconded said motion. AYES: NOES: Approved: Mr. Clow, Mr. Mrs. Dahlin 4-l Robertson, Mr. Yglesias and Mr. Mueller with regard to discussion regarding Mr. Fenton's R.O.P. students will be held over until the August, 1991 Board meeting. The Board stated that it did not know that there was an agreement to provide training at the Public Access facilities for R.O.P. students. . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting July 15, 1991 Page 6 Mr. Conley asked if the last motion made pertained to mean that everyone could bring in outside directors. Mr. Mueller stated that yes, the way he read the Guidelines that anyone could assist in production as long as they did not handle any equipment. Ms. Kreps continued with the Public Acces$ Report stating that a sub-committee meeting was held last month to prepare an equipment proposal, which Mr. Pete Arnold plans to address after all other business of the Board has been conducted. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Ron Diller, a Seal Beach business owner made commented on the subject of the Coastal Focus program that profiled a parasailing event discussed under "programming Update." . Mr. Diller felt that although it was a great program, as a business owner he felt that he has three businesses in town that could profit from advertising on program. He also felt that if the Foundation was going to support other businesses in the community, he wouldn't be opposed to having the Foundation air his business for "free advertising." Mr. Peter Anninos brought up the fact that the issue of the Public Access coordinator which was to be on the Agenda for this months meeting. Ms. Sharp stated that since Mr. Gray was not going to be available at this month's meeting, the matter will be discussed at the August meeting when Mr. Gray was present because he was more aware of all the facts than Mr. conley, who was sitting in for Mr. Gray at this meeting. . Mr. Clow stated that he has requested to have the minutes prior to the weekend before the meeting. Mr. Clow also stated that he was very disappointed in the way were sent this month. Ms. Sharp apologized for the way minutes were handled this month. Mr. Mueller asked Mr. Clow what kind of time frame he was looking for receiving the minutes. Mr. Clow stated that the Board should get the minutes immediately after the meeting. Ms. Sharp said that she would now bring up the matter she had entered under "New Business" on the Agenda. Ms. Sharp stated that she was concerned that during the meetings (sometimes lasting 3.5 to 4 hours) nothing seemed to be accomplished. She also stated that she felt that the Foundation was loosing control of the meetings, everyone was talking at the same time with no one controlling audience communications. . . . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting July 15, 1991 Page 7 Ms. Sharp also stated that it takes her 10 - 20 hours to transcribe the minutes. She also stated that if there are issues that if someone has something to bring before the Board, they should be able to get right to the point and discuss their feelings within 5 minutes. Persons who know that an issue may take a longer discussion should inform Ms. Sharp, a Board member, Mr. Gray or Ms. Kreps who have that issue placed on the next meeting Agenda. She also gave the Board a list of suggestions which might help speed the meetings up so that the Board could receive their minutes earlier. Mr. Arnold suggested that Mr. Clow meet with Mr. Gray to work out the situation and that it was already 9:00p.m. and his presentation would take 30-45 minutes. Mr. Clow asked Ms. Sharp if she would make an appointment with Mr. Gray so that he could work a resolution with the issue of receiving minutes at an earlier date prior to the upcoming meetings. Mr. Yglesias stated that issues on the Agenda should be discussed and not matters that come before the Board at the time of the meeting. Mr. Yglesias also stated that everyone was looking to the Board to "manage" and that is what the Board pays staff to do. Mr. Yglesias also stated that staff interpretations of the Guidelines that the Board has given them are constant:j.y being challenged which then has to come back to a lay-board. Mr. Yglesias stated that the Board may need some "boardmanship training" because the Board was trying to micro- manage and the Board just didn't have the time. Mr. Clow stated that he felt if the Board had the minutes in advance they could communicate with each other before the meetings to discuss the issues on the Agenda. Mr. Conley stated that he agreed with Mr. Yglesias regarding that a Board who adhered to "Robert I s Rules of Order" was one way of boards to expedite their meetings. Mr. Yglesias stated that he had to leave the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Mr. Clow brought up the subject of Foundation insurance, stating that the insurance broker was out of town. Until we get the yearly financial report from the City, its going to have to be held over. Mr. Anninos asked what the Board's decision was regarding the matter of the Public Access Coordinator salary issue. Ms. Kreps stated that she thought the matter was going to be discussed at the next meeting. Ms. Sharp stated that she was in error not putting the matter on the Agenda when the Board had requested it. Ms. Sharp stated that she would put it on the Agenda for the August meeting. . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting July 15, 1991 Page 8 Mr. Clow stated that he spoke with Bill Gray regarding the use of the furniture and stated that there was not a problem with using the furniture as long as it was not in any locked offices/rooms. Ms. Sharp suggested that the meetings start at 6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. Mr. Clow stated that the only reason the meetings were starting at 7: 30 was because of former Board member Pete Arnold who had to travel from his job in Pasadena to attend Board meetings. Ms. Sharp suggested that public access fees requests, financial report, check requests, minutes of the previous meeting and financial report be incorporated into one consent calendar, so that when the approval of the minutes takes place, all of the above could be approved at the same time without discussion on each individual matter. . Mr. Mueller asked how incorporating these items would really shorten the meetings. Ms. Sharp passed a copy of a consent calendar that is used by the Buena Park Foundation. Ms. Sharp told him that she attended a 30 minute Buena Park Foundation Board Meeting and that all in one vote the Board had approved the minutes of the previous meeting, over $7,000.00 in bills to be paid. Ms. Sharp stated that this saved a lot of time because all requests, which basically had the same verbiage, were passed at the same time. Ms. Sharp stated that they received their minutes within a week and a half. . Mr. Clow asked that this matter be tabled until the next meeting. Ms. Sharp stated that she didn't have a prOblem with waiting until the next meeting and that she may sit in with the meeting with Mr. Gray and Mr. Clow and discuss some possibilities of restructuring the meetings. Mr. Pete Arnold related to the Board that a equipment subcommittee had been formed. Mr. Arnold put together a proposal on equipment which could and should b~ purchased by the Foundation, total cost of the equipment in his proposal was approximately $160,000.00 which could be fine-tuned to increase this amount. Basically, the equipment includes two edit bay systems, etc., Mr. Arnold stated that this equipment could be purchased in three phases with priority to be phase 1 (which he felt was a must). Mr. Arnold suggested that the phase 2 package be housed at Leisure World, which would afford Leisure World residents the opportunity to have the convenience of their own equipment at a convenient location. He felt that by having equipment at Leisure World would also generate more cable subscribers. . . . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting July 15, 1991 Page 9 Mr. Arnold explained that when he was on the Board he wanted to keep a $250,000.00 cushion in the Foundation bank account when they built the facility next door just in case something happened with the cable company, the Foundation could still run. Mr~ Arnold also explained that by buying the equipment in phase 1, it would serve as back-up equipment for the city Council chambers. Mr. Arnold explained that he would definitely purchase the equipment in phase 1 and that the figures were very conservative and no equipment would go over what amount he has budgeted. Mr. Arnold stated that he would get all of the pertinent information from the computer and put some figures with it and have Ms. Sharp mail the Board members a list of each item and have it on the Agenda for the next meeting so the Board could come up with their suggestions. Mr. Arnold stated that he contacted Metrovonics for his figures regarding the equipment. Ms. Kreps asked if two cameras could be purchased now, but due to it not being on the Agenda, Mr. Clow decided to have it on the next Agenda. ADJOURNMENT It was the consensus of the Board, and so ordered by the Chair, to adjourn the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board Meeting at ll:OO p.m. James Clow Foundation Chairman Transcribed By: Date: