Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBCCF Min 1991-01-21 . . . - . SEAL BEACH CABLE COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Comcast Cablevision Facilities January 21, 1991 The Board of Directors of the Seal Beach Cable communications Foundation met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., on December 17, 1990, at Comcast Cablevision Facilities, 201 - 8th street, Seal Beach, California, with Chairman, Mr. James Clow calling the meeting to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Because a Flag was not available at Comcast facilities, the Pledge of Allegiance was waived by the Board. Mr. Clow stated, "We can't afford a flag." ROLL CALL: Directors present were Mr. Clow, Mr. Yglesias, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Mueller. .~i::c~c.:'__: ::~hlin was absent. .Staff Support present: Pat Sharp Bill Gray, Comcast Cablevision was present. MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17. 199Q After due discussion Mr. Mueller moved that the minutes of the Dec~,,~,1:Jer 17, 1990 Board Meeting be approved with an amendment on page three, first paragraph, stating that Mr. Clow .._~ expressed his concern that a Public Access Coordinator had not been ~hired to date. Motion was seconded by Mr. Yglesias. AYES: NOES: Motion Mr. Clow, None Passes: 4-0 Mr. Yglesias, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Mueller - . . Seal Beach Cable communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting January 18, 1991 Page 2 NEW FUNDING REOUESTS A. Access Fees - John Dominaue. Rob Rov & Karl Deeds After due discussion a motion was made by Mr. Mueller to approve the request for access fees and expenses in the amount of $935.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Yglesias. AYES: NOES: Motion Mr. Clow, Mr. Yglesias, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Mueller None Passes: 4-0 B. Access Fees - Francis Loonev . '...:';eJ:' .:,..."~ ~,:.:;~':,:;s:.on ~ ,..::.,:;;n .~'".s :made by Mr. Mueller to ,.pprove '..:ne reques<: ic~ access fees in the amount of $10.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Yglesias. AYES: Mr. Clow, Mr. Yglesias, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Mueller NOES: None ~o~"~~ Passes: 4-0 '..c. ,..1\.ccass Fce - Trula Thompson & Harlene GoodriC;h,,:, - ._. nO -=~. -. ~- After due discussion a motion was made by Mr. Mueller to ~ppr~"e access fees and expenses in the amount of $90.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Robertson. AYES: NOES: . Motion Mr. Clow, None Passes: 4-0 Mr. Yglesias, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Mueller "c Ms. Thompson also requested the use of camera equipment ~to be taken to a conference at Berkeley March 8, 9, and 10, 1991. After due discussion Mr. Gray suggested that Ms. Thompson obtain a certificate of insurance from her insurance company to protect the equipment and come back before the Board at the February meeting. There was some concerns by the Board about equipment being taken out of the area and that there was a suggestion that the Board may approve funding to rent the necessary equipment that Ms. Thompson needs. Mr. Robertson made a motion that Ms. Thompson come before the Board on February l8, 1991, with all necessary information for the proposal to use camera equipment outside the Seal Beach area. . Motion was seconded by Mr. Clow. .. . . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting January 18, 1991 Page 3 AYES: NOES: Motion Mr. Clow, None Passes: 4-0 Mr. Yglesias, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Mueller OLD BUSINESS CHECKS FROM DECEMBER Chec~s requested in December, 1990 were approved by the Board. Ms. Sharp to send a copy of the check request to the Directors. FINANCIAL REPORT FROM THE CITY . Mr. Mueller advised the Board that the Foundation was solvent. Mr. Clow questioned the amount of $l24.00 listed under "Overhead" expenses because a copy of the check was omitted from the Agenda packet, Mr. Mueller could not give ~ reason for the e:mount. Mr. Mueller told the Board that he investigated the large bank balance with the Bank of America and Mr. Denis Thomas. He ... .. ----- ..stated that the reason it had such ,a large. balance. was. because of .. , ' the $50,000.00 check paid to Comcast. Mr. Clow asked why the Bank of America does not pay interest on our account. Mr. Mueller ... ".-= ?'~ .." ' Yo ','-:! '1 because the Foundation is a non-profi t .::orpora-cioll and banKing regulations prohibit paying interest on non-profit corporation bank accounts. Mr. clow asked about the matter of payroll processing. , Mr. Mueller stated that is was on the Agenda under "Old Business," item no. "E". Mr. Mueller stated that the Board could discuss the -"~ ~='':'':;>:t. ~ow, if they wished. '-( . Mr. Mueller introduced Mr. Stephen Bruce, who was handling the payroll matter. Mr. Bruce told the Board that Nancy Ryan, his assistant, was handling the matter. Ms. Ryan had to go back to January, 1990, and prepare each quarter tax reporting of employees and put together a complete package for tax purposes. Ms. Ryan also prepared W-2 forms for the employees. Ms. Ryan gave the reports to be sent to the various tax agencies to Ms. Sharp for check requests prior to this meeting. Mr. Bruce stated that the Foundation needs to set-up specific payroll dates to pay their employees, which the Board decided would coincide with the payroll dates of Comcast employees. . . . .. . Seal Beach Cable communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting January 18, 1991 page 4 Ms. Ryan was processing service, responsibilities. also in contact with "Paychex," a payroll to handle the employee payroll Mr. Bruce stated that Ms. Ryan spent 22.5 hours to prepare all reports and employee W-2 forms. Mr. Bruce stated that his office's minimum fee was $50.00 per hour, which totaled $1,l25.00 and that the agreed amount for his services with the Board was $500.00. Mr. Bruce stated that he would abide by the $500.00 to be paid, but if the Board felt that the amount agreed upon was insufficient, it wouldn't hurt his feelings if the Board wanted to modify the amount to be paid t:, stephen Bruce and Associates. After due discussion a motion was made by Mr. Yglesias to pay stephen Bruce and Associates $1,125.00 for services rendered for employee conversion and entering into a quarterly business relationship to handle payroll services and all related tax matters based upon Mr. Bruce submitting a proposal of the costs associated with payroll processing matters. Mr. Mueller seconded motion. AYES: NOES: Moti.,!'. Mr. Clo,,_ None '?"sses: 4-0 '~1esias, ~r. Robertson and Mr. Mueller Mr. Mueller questioned Mr. Clow as to where the bank .. , .. " :.:,...: "-as, Mr. Clow stated that it was at the Bank of America. Mr. Mueller stated that he went to the bank and the old signature card was still there. Mr. Clow stated that he took it to the bank, signed the card and the left the card there. Mr. Clow also stated that the bank was to remove Mr. Nelson's name from the card. Mr. Mueller asked when Mr. clow took the card to the bank, Ms. Sharp stated that it was around the same time that Mr. Mueller "'c. went; ell vacation (early December, 1990). Mr. Mueller to check into ~his matter further. PROGRAMMING UPDATE - Bill Grav Mr. Gray introduced Mr. Chris Guzzeta, Local Origination Producer, to the Board. Mr. Guzzeta explained to the Board that l3 programs have been either shot and/or aired to this date but that there are still 6 programs to be produced prior to March 3l, 1991 or that could be carried over into the programming year. Mr. Guzzeta stated that he'd rather have them done prior to March 3lst. . . . ':.10 ~ .-' _ . . - . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting January 18, 1991 Page 5 Mr. Guzzeta put together a list of some suggested programs that could be produced and wanted input from the Board as to what type of shows they would like to have produced. Mr. Guzzeta stated that he talked with Mr. Fred Cooper of Leisure world and he suggested that he write to Mr. Clow regarding programs to be produced for Leisure World. Mr. Clow stated that they had a Producer I s Meeting on Thursday in Leisure World and invited Mr. Guzzeta to come to the meeting. Mr. Guzzeta asked if he were to have programs produced from Leisure World, could he get immediate approval from the Board, Mr. Clow stated that it wouldn't be a problem. Mr. Gray explained to the Board that there are 6 programs to still be produced this year and that they could do it one of 2 ways, either shoot generic programs or have specific events, b~: that it was up to the Board decide what they would like to hav~ produced. Mr. Arnold asked Mr. Guzzeta if he had contacted Mr. Blades, Principal of McGaugh School, or Lois Cohn, Teacher at ~cGal1q'h School stated that a school talk-show format would be an . - T,lroduction. Mr. :.:;lesias stated that the Board , :.. .,:'.= icgas, and maybe give a' little more .consideration to the elementary and.middle,schools. JIG also stated that cultural events as well as Leisure World events could also be :'"'::.":"'-;:::; "'1..~'7-::1.r?. Mr. Clow stated that he would like to have Mr. Guzzeta bring his ideas to the Producer's Meeting on Thursday and that the meeting would be held in Clubhouse No. 3 at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Clow told Mr. Guzzeta that he could go to the administration office of . Leisure World and get a pass to enter. . C-..,. ~AUDIENCE COMMUNICATro~s Andrew Felton asked when a Public Access Coordinator would be hired. Mr. Gray said that hopefully one would be hired within the next two weeks. Mr. Gray stated that he was informe~ by Comcast Cablevision to postpone the hiring of any staff until after January 15, 1991 and then about a week later he heard that the reason for the hiring freeze was because the region office would be closing and Comcast wanted to give region employees an opportunity to apply for any positions available. Mr. Gray stated that they have interviewed a couple of candidates and that l:1y February 1, someone should be hired if everything goes as sched'J,lec,. . . . . . Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting January 18, 1991 Page 6 Mr. Arnold stated that he had an article regarding Public Access in Pasadena and that it was humorous because they talked about one of the shows that was being aired "The Barbie show" (a Seal Beach Public Access show.) NEW BUSINESS Guidelines - Jim Clow Mr. Clow had a question regarding a statement on page 13 regarding a user's card being revoked by the Comcast Public Access Coordinator ("PAC") and wanted to know if the PAC had that right and authority. Mr. Arnold stated that the staff of the company who had the responsibility of the facilities did have the right and authority. Mr. Gray stated that some enforceability must b", initially established. Mr. Clow also read a statement that was on page 21 regarding the purchase of tapes used for duplication of programs. ~,. Clow t~~t previously, the producer always received a copy of the program free of charge. There '-i<:.S considerable discussion regarding this issue without agreement, which finally resulted in 'Mr.' 'Clow stating' that-- any ,-suggestions, -comments" or questions" regarding the proposed guidelines should be submitted in writing to the Foundation. , ,- _ ' ':.:;1. '.'., +: each suggestion, comment or " ",-..~.:ately, because if the Board other issues submitted would be rejected as -,- rejected one issue, all well. -c~ Comcast Reoraanization - Jim C~~W Mr. Claw stated that he talked with Mr. Jim Bequette and Mr. Bequette told him that he was leaving Comcast Cablevision and that there would possibly be only two people at the Seal Beach facility, beyond that, he had no other information. Mr. Gray explained the reorganization of Comcast cablevision by saying that even though the regional offices would be closing, it would not affect the day-to-day operations with the Foundation and its association with Comcast Cablevision. Mr. he and his facilities. Gray also stated that it would be a possibility that staff might possibly move into the Seal Beach . . . .. . Seal Beach Cable communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting January 18, 1991 Page 7 Mr. Gray also stated that in the next five years, Comcast will be replacing a lot of equipment with regard to the studio, ~-I:r.:.. Mr. Yglesias expressed his concerns about the loss of Pat Sharp, Staff support to the Foundation. Mr. Gray stated that Ms. Sharp may be asked to stay or else she would be replaced by someone else. Mr. Yglesias stated that he wanted it on record that the Foundation wanted someone from Seal Beach to act as a liaison and that it was very important to them to have a Seal Beach resident since they were promoting the city of Seal Beach. Mr. Gray stated that as the situation develops, he would keep the Board up to date on any information he may encounter. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Mueller asked Mr. Gray why the were so many problems with some of the channels, particularly 9, 10 and 1l. Mr. Gray stated that some problems were due to satellite broadcasts versus ~~~~~ave broadcasts and ~tmospheric conditions but that they were working on tr.e pro~:cms. . -' ".. .' :<:..;;-' 3'Cs:t:ed. .that a "Couple of meetings ago a check -fot., -;:'<;::1 -,,) :: " '--:,"l':t-~p costs was presented to the Foundation from the . .':" i:orn up and that they were go~ng ';;.0 resubm~l: ~'t: at. t.ne following meeting. Mr. Clow asked if anyone had any information regarding this matter. Mr. Clow asked : ": M-:- ,..,..,...~, 01'" "":>'1' A ~1-"~"k: into the matter. Mr. Karl Deeds stated "- '...' '-c~ e")'f what was left in , ,,". _ '.!: was torn , ,":' . .:ud passed a week , before ~he meeting and the amount on the check was no longer valid. -C~Mr. Deeds also stated that there was no pre-arranged agreement to -return the money to the Board, but they felt that it was the thing to do since the funds were not being used. Mr. Gray stated that the en~ of the 3 year agreement was fast approaching between the cable company and the Foundation and they needed to sit down and talk about any changes that may have to be made. Mr. Arnold stated that the agreement needs to be handled between the Board and Comcast without interference with the City of Seal Beach because it was a separate entity from the franchise agreement with the city. . . . '" . Sc~: ~~~C~ Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting January 18, 1991 Page 8 Mr. Arnold stated that if the time passes the 3 year interim agreement, it just goes away and that the $75,000. still goes to the city Council and then to the Foundation. Mr. Yglesias stated that someone from the Board needs to see the agreement, the amendment to the agreement, know the expiration date and determine what action needs to be taken by the Board. Ms. Sharp is to give the Board the copies of the documents requested. Mr. Clow stated that a letter was sent to the city Council regarding the airing of the Redevelopment meetings and wanted to know if the council had made a decision. Mr. Gray stated :' ..' ':':o?" '70i:~-:! .~.t doToT!l ~-o. Mr. ,Arnold stated that the council dJ.Cl. rlO"t. 'wan"t. to extend "t.he Council meetings that were already running to 1:00 a.m. and wouldn't consider the airing of the Redevelopment meetings. Mr. Arnold stated that it was interesting because Gwen Forsvthe brought the matter before the Council and the Council ,,'=,-.,.. , ~. they didn't want to hold meetings any longer than necessary. Mr. Clow stat=::: that there was another matter to be Lrought before the Board. He had a suggestion to be put on the Agenda for the February meeting that every Board member receive " $50~OO a ~~nth (to be retroac~ive to January 1) J991) for-services" rendered to the Foundation. - .~NT It was the consensus of the Board, and so ordered by the Chair, to adjourn the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board Meeting at 10:25 p.m. . 'c ~, Transcribed by: Pat Sharp, Staff Support Secretary ACCEPTED AND APPROVED: James Clow Foundation Chairman Oat!'!'