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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBCCF Min 1985-02-04 ~ . . . SEAL BEACH CABLE COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 1985 The Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors met in session at 7:04 p.m., with the Chair, Mrs. Terri Jones, calling the meeting to order and leading the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Chairwoman Jones Members: Arnold, Covington, McCurdy, Stein Daniel Joseph, Secretary to the Board Ginger Bennington, Recording Secretary John Monsen, Group W General Manager Fred Esters, Group W Production Manager Kathy Risk, Group W Public Access Coordinator Also Present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was the order of the Chair, with the consent of the Board members, that the minutes of the January 10, 1985 regular meeting, stand approved as presented. It was the order of the Chair, with the consent of the Board members, that the minutes of the January 21, 1985 special meeting of the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors, stand approved as presented. PRESENTATION Kathleen Schuler. Executive Director of the Foundation for Community Services Cable Television (FCSCT) explained the background for her services. Board members ask Ms. Schuler for expertise in the following: success stories in utilization of public access throughout the State, defining the relationship of the foundation to the cable company and to the community as a whole, and whether there is a direct relationship between the succes,of public access due to the amount of equipment that is available for use, along with available training. Ms. Schuler indicated the FCSCT was established in 1979 tied to a rate deregulation bill which permits cable systems to set their own rates at the local level if they meet certain criteria. It is a non-profit corporation with a board comprised of cable and Department of Education persons and operators at large. The main thrust of the FCSCT is for seed money for grants and to act as an information clearing house. The total budget for FCSCT is in excess of $300,000 for the entire state of California. Legislation requires cable systems that de-regulate their rates to contribute 50e per subscriber annually to the FCSCT which makes the base for the Grants Program. The FCSCT serves two very diverse needs - local and statewide. Of those funds received, 20% goes into the Model Program Grants which can be applied for throughout the state. The remaining 80% is reserved . J . . . S.B. Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting of 2/4/85 Page 2 for individual communities. No funds have been set aside for Seal Beach as it is not de-regulated, i.e., the City retains the right to review rates. Specific criteria has been determined that each funding request must meet, prior to review by the FCSCT. Ms. Schuler presented a copy of those guidelines to the Board, stating that these guidelines could be tailored specifically to the Seal Beach community. The FCSCT, with regard to local communities, is trying to establish on-going use of the channel, establish local partnerships and develop advocates for public access in the community. With regard to model programs, the FCSCT is trying to serve the best that is going on in public access, only fund at a certain level - nothing over $5,000, and also try to develop models that a local community will have the resources to continue. The FCSCT does require promotional components in these proposals, as well as a method by which to receive feedback, and that all applicants work in cooperation with the cable companies. Ms. Schuler further explained that the two necessary questions to resolve for a beginning cable foundation is: 1) Why are we giving away the money - what purpose do we wish to attain, and 2) how will we know if we are successful. Ms. Schuler also indicated the FCSCT stayed out of content, franchise discussion, and evaluation of other communities' projects. Their board set down guidelines for which each proposal must comply. These guidelines served as a method of protection to the board, in that errors of omission could be pointed as to the reason for turning down a project. She also indicated that the initial requests were given to able readers for scoring, after ascertaining that all guidelines were adhered to. Ms. Schuler presented copies of the 1983/84 Annual Report of FCSCT, along with recent copies of Cable Scan Newsletter, and copies of the Application Guidelines for the FCSCT grants program to the Seal Beach Board. She further indicated she would be available to answer any questions at a later date, should the Board desire. PRESENTATION - OLD ZOETER SCHOOL CULTURAL CENTER Mr. Stan Hartford, a 20-year resident and member of the Old Zoeter School Cultural Center (OZSCC), presented the proposal to the Board for their consideration. He indicated the OZSCC is a non-profit corporation originally formed to develop a mechanism for public access funds and to save the Zoeter school site from being demolished, and to, in the future, set up a theater environment. He further stated that the group wished to achieve these aims without being political. He indicated that a well regarded professional group was very interested in the formation of the theater company and would provide help for public access programs. He did indicate that the school site is owned by Los Alamitos School District with a value of $5 million. The City of Seal Beach is attempting to resolve the use of that property. In order to achieve that goal, it appears that the property must be renovated. Funding request is for renovation of the site to include: the auditorium, a first class theater, a restaurant (for an on-going source of revenue) and a cultural center. He did indicate . I . S.B. Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting of 2/4/B5 Page 3 that the nursery groups would continue as is. He further indicated this would allow local talent usage, provide a theater for local community, all while keeping the architectural design of the old school site intact. OZSCC is asking for commitment from the Board now to encourage negotiations with Los Alamitos School District. The Board discussed proposed restaurant. Mr. Hartford stated the restaurant was included as anchor tenant on the site as it will allow continual funding for the theater and public access. Mr. Covington suggested that an advance be required from restaurant tenant which to fund the renovation of the site rather than use Foundation funds. Peter Arnold did not wish to spend the bulk of the Foundation's money on this one project, not knowing that the $75,000 annual revenue from Group W would be forthcoming in the future due to current status of renegotiations regarding the franchise agreement. Jay Covington felt the Board's obligation was to fund seed money for a variety of proposals, especially after hearing that the FCSCT recommendation was never to fund any request higher than $5,000. He felt the OZSCC project was an outstanding proposal, but one that the Foundation could not consider. '. PRESENTATION Mr. Mark Biedebach, 612 Balboa Drive, Seal Beach, read his prepared statement on achieving balance in the allocation of the Foundation's funds. (Statement attached.) FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULE The Board discussed need for regularity in meeting schedule. Mr. Joseph felt the part-time coordinator should be hired and a meeting place determined prior to setting regular meeting schedule. Mr. Joseph indicated he would bring to the Board dates and meeting places available. It was the concensus of the Board, that they meet on February 13 at 7:30 p.m. for an executive session in the City administration conference room to review applications for part-time coordinator. Mr. McCurdy indicated he would be out of town on that date. The Board indicated that should few applications be received, the Secretary to the Board would use his discretion to extend filing deadline. NEW BUSINESS Teresa MacNeil, resident of Rosmoor and student at CSULB, expressed her appreciation to the Board for their beginning activities. . OLD BUSINESS Kathy Risk of Group W, asked for clarification of job description for the part-time coordinator. It was her feeling that since the Board deleted those activities specifically relating to public access coordinator, the job title should be "Foundation Manager". The Board agreed to explain fully to job applicants those major duties as outlined in the job description. Jay Covington entertained the idea of "demonstration of good faith" by funding half of Group W's equipment request, to encourage franchise renegotiation process. Mr., Joseph stated that the concept would be taken under advisement, but requested no action be taken which might decrease the City's leverage with regard to renegotiation. . " . . . S.B. Cable Communications Foundation Board of Directors Meeting of 2/4/B5 Page 4 Teresa MacNeil suggested Board attend seminar as Kathleen Schuler would be one of the speakers. It was determined that should Board desire to attend the seminar, the Recording Secretary would be contacted for arrangements. John Monsen, Group W General Manager introduced himself to the Board members. ADJOURNMENT: It was the concensus of the Board, and so ordered by the Chair, to adjourn the meeting of the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation meeting of February 4, 1985 at 10:30 p.m. J21. ~. ~"'",~~ Recording Secretary