HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - SCPTA PUBLIC TV MGMT SERVICES AGMTO
Agenda Item: 7
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
W
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 14, 2026
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARITA PUBLIC TELEVISION AUTHORITY PUBLIC
TELEVISION MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: McKenzie Bright
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
Authorize funding for a two-year Public Television Management Services Agreement with
SCVTV for the ongoing management and programming of Charter Communications
Operating, LLC, and AT&T for playback, programming, and production studio operations
from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, in the amount not to exceed $355,422 for Fiscal
Year (FY) 2026-27 and authorize a Consumer Price Index adjustment to the General Fund -
funded portion of the amount for FY 2027-28.
2. Appropriate ongoing funds in the amount of $6,422 in FY 2026-27 from the General Fund
(Fund 100) to Expenditure Account 1001501-701008 (Public Television -Other Financing
Uses) and one-time funds in the amount of $30,000 for FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 from
the Citrus Facility Fund (Fund 130) to Expenditure Account 1309008-701008 (Citrus
Facility -Other Financing Uses).
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents,
contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the City Council in the annual budget for such
fiscal year and execute all documents subject to City Attorney review.
BACKGROUND
Since 2009, the Santa Clarita Public Television Authority (SCPTA) has contracted with SCVTV
to manage day-to-day operations of public television in the City Santa Clarita (City). SCVTV
has been selected as the preferred contractor through both Request for Proposal solicitations and
direct negotiations.
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SCVTV is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides television, webcasting, podcasting, and new media
services for the local public, nonprofit agencies, and government institutions. SCVTV provides
24/7 community programming to Santa Clarita Valley households via Charter Spectrum
Communications channel 20, AT&T channel 99, SCVTV.com, and various intemet and social
media websites, such as YouTube and Facebook.
On May 28, 2024, SCPTA approved a two-year Public Television Management Services
Agreement with SCVTV to continue operating Santa Clarita's public television studio. The term
of that agreement was July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.
On June 24, 2026, the SCPTA Board approved the proposed two-year contract with SCVTV,
subject to the approval and allocation of funds by the City Council.
Under the proposed agreement, SCVTV would be required to continue managing the City's
public television studio, inclusive of playback, programming, and production studio operations.
Further, SCVTV will be responsible for creating and airing original programming throughout the
year that benefits the community, including, but not limited to:
Communities Magazine and Event Coverage - Regularly produce "SCVTV's Community
Corner" or a similar program which supports the communication efforts of schools and
civic agencies, and provide them with an opportunity to communicate directly with our
residents about their services and needs. Additionally, provide coverage of a minimum of
eight community events.
• Humanities Programing - Programs about the Santa Clarita Valley, its history, and
culture. This may include programs about the history, film, music, and the arts. SCVTV
is prepared to work with the SCPTA and City Communications Division to solicit
feedback about which of these programs and subjects the community values most.
The agreement outlines responsibilities retained by SCVTV for the administration of the Fourth
of July Parade. On May 12, 2026, the Santa Clarita City Council approved the transfer of
responsibility for the Parade from SCVTV to the City, with SCVTV retaining responsibility to
determine the line-up order, designate the grand and division marshals, develop the script for the
television broadcast, and administer the judging process
This proposed agreement recommends a total contract amount of $355,422 in Year 1 and
increasing the General Fund portion in Year 2 by the April 2027 Consumer Price Index (CPI),
All Urban Consumers, for the Los Angeles -Long Beach -Anaheim Area.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the recommended actions, adequate funds in the amount of $355,422
($175,422 General Fund, $150,000 Public Access, Educational, and Government Fund, $30,000
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Citrus Fund) will be available in FY 2026-27. FY 2027-28 funds are contingent upon approval
by the City Council during the annual budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
SCPTA Agreement with SCVTV (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)
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Docusign Envelope ID: 294013116-0544-8E16-82BA-75BF26F812B4
PUBLIC TELEVISION MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Service Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into between the Santa Clarita
Public Television Authority ("Authority") and SCVTV ("Contractor"), as an independent
contractor, for the operational management, production and oversight of video programming to
be shown on the City of Santa Clarita's Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) Channel
carried on the cable and video systems serving the Santa Clarita Valley.
1. Scope of Services
Contractor shall provide the following services during the term of this Agreement:
a. Provide Staffing. Provide staffing to manage and operate the PEG facility, currently
located at 22505 141h Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321 and subsequently at 26330 Citrus
Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 when it is operational. Provide staffing necessary to
operate and manage PEG facility production and playback equipment. Supervise college
interns and volunteers.
b. Coordinate Playback Schedule. Coordinate and schedule programming produced by
SCVTV and by others for playback on the PEG channel(s) and stream the PEG channel
feed on a SCVTV website.
Production. Retransmit public agency and bona fide non-profit organizations' press
releases on one or more of SCVTV's websites and on SCVTV's social media networks,
and adapt content for television. Retransmit pre -produced public agency and non-profit
organizations' videos on one or more of SCVTV's websites, on SCVTV's social media
networks and PEG channel.
d. Sponsored Programming_. Provide additional programming based on community interest
and requests, only if full sponsorship is available.
Broadcast of Member A Meetings. Board MeetingBoard Meetings. At the request of Members of the
Authority, and where technically feasible, Contractor will air Member Board meetings
live on the PEG Channel, including all regularly scheduled City of Santa Clarita City
Council meetings.
f. Act on behalf of the Authority. Work on behalf of the Authority Board of Directors to
fulfill operational priorities as identified and directed by the Board of Directors.
g. Programming. Produce programs focusing on various aspects of the quality of life in the
Santa Clarita Valley.
Community Magazine and Event Coverage: Regularly produce "SCVTV's
Community Corner" or a similar program which supports the
communication efforts of schools and civic agencies, and provide them
with an opportunity to communicate directly with SCV residents about
Docusign Envelope ID: 294013116-0544-8E16-82BA-75BF26F812B4
their services and needs and provide coverage of community events. A
minimum of 25 episodes, and/ or 15 hours of programming, and/ or 75
segments will be provided annually, whichever is of greater value, for a
cost of $120,000. Depending on specific program and segment lengths,
this constitutes approximately 15 hours of programming.
ii. Humanities Programming: Produce humanities programs about the Santa
Clarita Valley, its history and culture. This may include programs about
the history, film, music, and the arts. SCVTV is prepared to work with the
JPA and City Communications team to solicit feedback about which of
these programs and subjects the community values most: a minimum of
1.5 hours of programming, and up to 20 segments and/or mini -
documentaries depending on their length and production complexity for a
cost of $30,000.
h. Citrus Facility Engineering and System Integration: Provide engineering consulting,
design consulting, system integration, and equipment installation for the new Citrus
Facility. These services include but are not limited to:
i. Collaborating with City staff to determine the technical requirements of
the Citrus Facility.
ii. Conducting engineering assessments and providing equipment and design
recommendations.
iii. Regularly consulting with hired architects, engineers, contractors and staff
to ensure that costs remain low and functionality is maximized.
iv. Integrate existing 14th Street facility systems with any new equipment
required to ensure seamless operation of the Citrus Facility.
v. Installing equipment as per specifications.
Fourth of July Parade: On May 12, 2026, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita
(City) authorized the transfer of ownership and responsibility for administering the Santa
Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade from SCVTV to the City. SCVTV retains
responsibility to determine the line-up order, designate the grand and division marshals,
develop the script for the television broadcast, and administer the judging process.
2. Compensation
The Authority shall pay Contractor in the amount listed in the table below for each year of this
Agreement. Services rendered consistent with the scope of services identified in Section 1 "A"
through "F" shall be paid from the City's General Fund, services rendered in Section 1 "G" of
this Agreement shall be paid for from the Public, Education and Government (PEG) fund, and
lastly services rendered in Section 1 "H" of this Agreement shall be paid from the City's Citrus
Fund. Payments will be made in equal installments due on the first of each month. Payments for
services identified in Section 1 "A" through "F" will be increased by the April 2027 Consumer
Price Index (CPI), All Urban Consumers, for the Los Angeles -Long Beach -Anaheim Area in
Year 2. The total amount for Fiscal Year 2027-28 shall be the same as Fiscal Year 2026-27, plus
the CPI increase to the General Fund portion. Specifically, the amount paid each year shall be:
2
Docusign Envelope ID: 294013116-0544-8E16-82BA-75BF26F812B4
Account
Fiscal Year 2026-27
Fiscal Year 2027-28
General Fund
$175,422
$175,422*CPI
PEG
$150,000
$150,000
Citrus Fund
$30,000
$30,000
Total
$355,422
$180,000+175,422 plus CPI increase
3. Reimbursement of Expenses
The Authority shall reimburse the Contractor all reasonable and pre -approved expenses incurred
by the Contractor in connection with cost of operating public television within the scope of
services rendered in this Agreement. Reimbursed expenses must be approved by the Authority
Board Secretary. Expenses in excess of $500 must be brought before the Authority Board
Members. Any reimbursed expenses must be submitted within 45 days from the purchase.
4. Term
The term of this Agreement will be from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028 not to exceed the above
amount, contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the Santa Clarita City Council and
contribution of such funds to the Authority unless prematurely terminated by either party
consistent with the terms of this Agreement.
5. Policies and Procedures
Contractor shall ensure that all public access programming meets the current version of the
Authority's "Policies and Procedures" for the PEG Channel as they may be amended from time
to time. The current version is Exhibit A (updated on September 13, 2022) and is attached and
incorporated herein by reference. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement
and any Policies and Procedures, the Policies and Procedures shall control. Contractor shall
ensure that no public access or educational access programming is aired which is "obscene" or
otherwise unprotected by the United States Constitution.
6. Non -Offensive and Non -Partisan
Political issues may be discussed as part of programming provided by Contractor, so long as
such programming is non -partisan and objective in its presentation of the issues. In no event shall
any advertising, underwriting or sponsorship recognition be used to promote or oppose a
qualified ballot measure or candidate standing for elective office. This provision extends to any
non -television communication platform under the control of SCVTV and which shares content
generated for Santa Clarita Public Television.
7. Compliance With Laws and Local Re-ulations
All Programming and all of Contractor's operations must comply with all federal, state, and local
laws, regulations and authorities addressing access or cablecast requirements, including Title 18,
Section 1468 of the U.S. Code, which ensures that cablecasting of questionable material be aired
at appropriate times.
8. Preemption ofPro,-ramming
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Authority may override any
programming to provide information, news, or programming which the Authority reasonably
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Docusign Envelope ID: 294013116-0544-8E16-82BA-75BF26F812B4
deems to be of broad community interest, which includes, but is not limited to, a broadcast of
any City Council meeting, or meeting of any other governmental body.
9. Advertisinz, Underwriting or Sponsorship Reco-nition
To offset Contractor's costs in producing and/or airing programming, six minutes of every 30-
minute segment of programming aired on the PEG Channel may be interrupted with
"advertising, underwriting, or sponsorship recognition" within the meaning of Public Utilities
Code § 5870(b). To the extent that such receipts exceed all Contractors' expenses, inclusive of
costs associated with staff, equipment, and production and/or airing programming, the payments
for such advertising, underwriting or sponsorship recognition shall accrue to a holding account
for disbursement Authority for re -allocation to support public television operations.
10. Independent Contractor
The parties agree and understand that Contractor will not be an employee of the Authority, but
will be solely an independent contractor acting under the terms and conditions specified herein
and as a self-employed person, shall be solely responsible for payment of federal and state
income and other taxes, and will not be an employee of Authority for Worker's Compensation or
any other purposes, will not have Unemployment Insurance Benefits, Social Security coverage,
or other employee benefits. Contractor understands and agrees that neither Contractor nor any
person employed by Contractor shall be in any way an employee of City, as that term is defined
in the California Labor Code.
11. Indemnity
Contractor agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Authority and all of its officers,
agents and employees from any and all liability, claims, damages, or injuries to any person,
including injury to Contractor's employees and all claims, which arise from or are connected
with the negligent performance of this Agreement, and all expenses of investigation and
defending against same provided, however, that this indemnification and hold harmless shall not
include any claim arising from the active negligence or willful misconduct of the Authority, its
agents, or employees.
12. Waiver of Liability
Contractor shall provide a waiver releasing Authority from all liability resulting from
Contractor's use of business and/or personal vehicles on project in the form attached hereto.
13. Worker's Compensation Insurance
Contractor shall procure and maintain Worker's Compensation Insurance in the amount as will
fully comply with the laws of the State of California and shall indemnify, insure, and provide
legal defense for both Contractor and Authority against any loss, claim, or damage arising from
any injuries or occupational diseases happening to any worker employed by Contractor in the
course of carrying out this Agreement. However, if Contractor does not have employees, he/she
may be exempt from the Labor Code and must sign an affirmation of such. PEG Channel
volunteers shall be eligible to enroll in City of Santa Clarita's volunteer program, where under
the City provides Workers Compensation Insurance coverage.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 294013116-0544-8E16-82BA-75BF26F812B4
14. Termination for Cause
a. Contractor Default. If, through any cause, Contractor fails to fulfill in a timely and proper
manner its obligations under this Agreement or if Contractor violates any of the
covenants, agreements, or stipulations of this Agreement, the Authority may provide
Contractor with written notice of such violation(s). If Contractor fails to diligently
pursue a cure of all such violation(s) within fourteen (14) days of its receipt of such
notice, or if, for any reason, all such violation(s) are not cured within thirty (30) days of
receipt of the written notice, the Authority may terminate this Agreement by giving thirty
(30) days written notice to Contractor of such termination and specifying the effective
date of such termination.
b. Authority Default. If the Authority fails to fulfill its material obligations under this
Agreement, including timely payment for services rendered, the Contractor may provide
the Authority with written notice of such violation(s). If the Authority fails to cure such
violation(s) within thirty (30) days of receipt, the Contractor may terminate this
Agreement by giving sixty (60) days written notice to the Authority.
c. Excusable Delay (Force Majeure). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Party shall be
deemed in breach of this Agreement, nor subject to termination for cause, for any delay
or failure in performance resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control and without
fault or negligence, provided that the Party claiming such delay notifies the other Party
C
�n� (10) days of the commencement of such delay.
BB121DD7C2304EA...
15. Amendments Only in Writing
This Agreement shall not be amended, except by a writing executed by both parties to this
Agreement.
06/30/2026 1 1:15 PM MDT
16. Entire A,-reement
This Agreement represents the entirety of contracts and agreements relating to the operational
management of Authority's PEG facility and playback of programming on City of Santa Clarita's
PEG Channel. So long as the present Agreement remains in force, Authority shall not enter into
any contract or agreement which would impair or infringe upon Contractor's exclusive authority
to perform any task referenced herein.
[Si,",d by:
BE2ADB7B47034F0...
06/24/2026 1 3:34 PM PDT
5
Docusign Envelope ID: 294013116-0544-8E16-82BA-75BF26F812B4
IN WITNESS WHEROF the parties hereby execute this contract:
CONTRACTOR:
DocuSigned by:
By:
u§%VS Piro, President
SCVTV
Date: 06/30/2026 1 1:15 PM MDT
SANTA CLARITA PUBLIC TELEVISION AUTHORITY:
Signed by:
By:
H
L`--handez, Board President
Santa Clarita Public Television Authority
Date: 06/24/2026 1 3:34 PM PDT