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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBCCF Min 1994-07-28 . . . I" ;. SEAL BEACH CABLE COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 28, 1994 The Board of Directors for the Seal Beach Cable Communications Foundation met July 18, 1994 at 7:00 pm at Comcast in Seal Beach California. Chairman Joseph Palmer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Rowland. ROLL CALL Mr. Palmer, Mrs. Dahlin, Mr. Rowland, Mr. Clow Mr. Mueller was absent. Mr. Larry Means from Comcast was present. NEW BUSINESS LETTER OF APOLOGY TO RON DILLER Mr. Palmer distributed a letter written by himself which was read by him to the City Council. The letter distributed was verbatim with the exception it did not include the part that he was ill. He then read the letter aloud as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Joseph Palmer and I am presently the chairman of the Seal Beach Cable Foundation. The Foundation meets on the third Monday of each month, there are approximately 10 meetings are held each year. There are 5 Board members. Each is appointed for a 4 year term by a Seal Beach City Council person. Board members are unpaid. Mr. Diller, co-producer and host of Town Hall, a local access production has attended our last three meetings. He appeared to be angry that the statements were not receiving the attention he thought they deserved. After our last monthly meeting, Board members suggested that I speak to Mr. Diller. In response, I called him on Wednesday and visited Mr. Diller in his office on Thursday. Ron Diller and I talked for more than an hour. I assured Ron Diller that no Foundation Board member anticipated that he would have a time slot problem with his main show. In addition, no Cable Foundation member to my knowledge, has spoken to any member of the City Council regarding his show prior to telecasting. Before the recent changes to the Brown Act guideline, the Board strayed from agenda items to topics beyond the limited authority of the Cable Foundation. Mr. Diller and I agreed the primary purpose for the Foundation is monitoring the dispersal of funds. Recently, following this City Council lead we eliminated most two-way conversations between the audience and Board members during meetings. These exchanges sometimes lead the Board into discussions beyond the Boards' jurisdiction. Mr. Diller seemed to appreciate the information I provided. Ron and I parted friends. On the way home, I stopped at a local newspaper and left an apology letter to Mr. Diller to be placed into the Reader's Forum section of the newspaper. I trust everything is now back to normal. . . . . .- PAGE 2 SBCCF min. cont'd 7/28/94 Mr. Palmer stated that in meeting with Mr. Diller on Thursday, Mr. Diller indicated that all he wanted was an apology from the Board or individuals of the Board for the confusion that surrounded his show. He explained that he told Mr. Diller that since he (Mr. Diller) had used the City Council as his forum, that he (Mr. Palmer) would use the Reader's Forum of the local newspaper and that they both agreed. Mr. Palmer then distributed copies of the letter he left at the newspaper. He stated that Ron Diller had told him that it was all over as he was concerned and he wouldn't be involved in further agitations about this issue. Then Mr. Palmer read the letter aloud as follows: The July 28, 1994 Seal Beach Cable Foundation proofed a letter of apology to Ron Diller. Ron Diller produces a local monthly television program called Town Hall. Last May, a delayed reaction by a Comcast representative limited the time Mr. Diller had to prepare his show. Mr. Diller had requested a time slot change to allow his live telecast to reflect a local event. His request should have been granted without delay. As a member of the Cable Foundation Board, I mistakenly assumed the Foundation Board had the authority and responsibility to monitor content and scheduling of public access programming. I now realize that I was in error (next words inaudible) and I will attempt to see that this does not occur in the future. I trust Ron Diller and his whole volunteer crew will accept my apology for the confusion that was added to their efforts to produce a timely first class show. Joseph Palmer, Seal Beach Cable Foundation. Mr. Palmer stated that he put a letter into the paper and that a portion of it was printed. Mr. Palmer read it as it was printed as follows: Ron Diller produces a monthly local television program Town Hall. Last May, a delayed reaction by a Comcast representative limited the time Mr. Diller had to prepare his show. Mr. Diller has requested a time slot change to allow his live telecast to reflect a local event. I trust Ron Diller and his all volunteer crew will accept my apology for the confusion that was added to their efforts to produce a timely first class show. Sincerely Joseph Palmer. Mr. Palmer stated that he and Mr. Diller agreed to put this letter in the paper is it is. Mr Palmer then made a motion to the Board to put his letter in the paper. Mr. Rowland asked to discuss the matter. There was much discussion about the events and how they took place regarding the scheduling of Mr. Diller's show. There was a question about whether another show was already slotted for that time and what happened after that. Mr. Palmer explained that as they learned at their previous meeting, the Board has no jurisdiction regarding program content or scheduling. There was further discussion about whether or not Mr. Palmer asked Ms. Kreps to cancel Mr. Diller's show. Mr. Palmer said that in his conversation with Ms. Kreps she stated to him that there was a show already scheduled for that time slot and it would not be changed. Mr. Palmer said he asked her if she had the authority to do that and she said yes. . . . .' PAGE 3 SBCCF min. cont'd 7/28/94 Then there was a discussion about whether Mr. Palmer called anyone at home and what he spoke to them about. Mrs. Dahlin stated that she did not understand how the Board could not be involved with the scheduling situation. She said she felt that Ms. Kreps would know whether or not the Board had any authority to make any decisions concerning scheduling and since she contacted the Board regarding the schedule, it appeared that they were involved. She said that she didn't understand why the Board was put into the position of apologizing when now it is clear that the Board has no authority to make any decisions regarding scheduling. Mr. Clow stated that the Board was not involved in this situation; members of the Board were. He then explained a similar situation earlier in the year when 4 members of the Board voted against a program by the League of Women Voters because it was political. Mr. Rowland stated that he recalled voting against it because it was taking the time slot of a public access program already scheduled. Then he read the minutes from the Board meeting of February 21st. The minutes reported the following: Ms. Kreps asked the Board if it was okay to use Foundation equipment to videotape the "Candidates Forum" debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters and that the Foundation was not funding this program. Mr. Rob Roy asked why it was on a public access night. Mr. Palmer stated that Monday and Wednesday nights were the local government meetings. Mr. Roy then asked why it was an L.a. shoot rather than a public access shoot. Ms. Kreps stated that the Board did not want to fund a political show. Mr. Palmer clarified that it was not an L.a. shoot but a Comcast shoot. Comcast crew would be provided and the same amount of time given up would be replaced on the L.a. programming. It was stated that this in no way was setting a precedent and that this was an isolated incident. Mr. Roy stated that the Board could not regulate public access programming. There was discussion about whether or not this meant that the Board rejected political programming. Discussion continued about whether or not the Board approved a political program or approval of the use of equipment. Mr. Palmer stated that he felt that the Board had originally felt that like advertising they did not want to get into any amount of political programming. He also stated that in the past they had had more guidance from Comcast and that he felt someone should had advised them if they were getting into an area in which they had no authority. Mrs. Dahlin stated that she felt the wording of the Board's position in Mr. Palmer's letter was incorrect. There was discussion and about a different or better choice of wording which everyone agreed with and this was done. Mr. Palmer stated that Mr. Diller was happy with the letter and he explained that he was looking for the Board's approval to resubmit the letter in it's entirety to the newspaper. Mr. Clow stated that he wanted on the record, that he did not appreciate the manner in which Mr. Palmer treated him. i' , . . PAGE 4 SBCCF min. cont'd 7/28/94 He also said that Mr. Palmer has already apologized to him and that he has accepted his apology. Mr. Rowland motioned for the Board to accept Mr. Palmer's letter to be resubmitted for print into the newspaper. Mrs. Dahlin seconded. Mr. Clow stated that he wanted Mr. Diller to be shown the letter prior to having it published. Mr. Palmer said he would right away. AYES: Mr. Palmer, Mr. Rowland, Mrs. Dahlin, Mr. Clow NA YES: -a- MOTION PASSED: 4-0 Discussion came up again that the Board should have been advised if they were getting into an area of which they had no authority. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Palmer stated that there were comments from himself to the Board in summary of what went before the City Council and other comments. AUDIENCE COMMUNICATION There was no audience present. . ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned. The motion and the time were not recorded. Joseph Palmer, Chairman Robin Fort-Lincke, Comcast . .