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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-03-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - CABLE ACCESS (2)AGENDA REPORT City Manager Item to be nre UNFIMSHED BUSINESS DATE: March 9, 1993 DEPARTMENT: Public Works BACKGROUND At the January 26, 1993 meeting, Public Works staff provided Council with a progress report regarding the proposed implementation of cable access programming within Santa Clarita. At that time, Council directed staff to facilitate a Public Participation Plan, solicit public input, and report such findings back to Council. At this point, staff believes it is appropriate to provide Council with a detailed description of the two (2) forms of cable access programming available to be implemented within the City. These two forms are: 1) Public, Education and Governmental Programming (PEG, previously referred to as Public Access) and; 2) Local Origination (LO, previously referred to as Community Access). Both PEG and LO programming have the capacity to provide residents with community programming, the broadcasting of Council, Commission and other governmental agency board meetings, the production of educational programming and studio facilities. There is, however,- one specific aspect which differentiates PEG and LO, this being content control. If the City chooses to facilitate an access channel which provides for PEG programming, the City will be afforded little ability to control content which is aired for broadcast. Under the current and proposed federal cable acts, only content deemed to be of a quality level not suitable for re -transmission, obscene or representative of an illegal act can be constrained from broadcast. If the City chooses to facilitate an access channel which provides for LO programming, a Community Cable Advisory Committee will be afforded the ability to control content through the two local cable operators. LO is produced by the local cable operators whom, unlike the City, are not constrained by the First Amendment and have the ability to review prospective programming and choose what will and will not be broadcast. Further, the LO option requires that the City and County amend their .existing Franchise Agreements with both cable operators. Continued To; 3o e5f;Z/P��g rl ►Im:ge., r Cable Access Programming March 9, 1993 Page 2 On Febmary 10th and 18th, Public Works staff conducted two public forums to discuss the proposed implementation of cable access programming. Residents were provided with a detailed. explanation of. 1) what's encompassed within both PEG and LO programming; 2) the specific roles of the City, County and two local cable operators; 3) an update on the Cable Act of 1992 and; 4) an opportunity to express, both verbally and in writing, their likes and dislikes regarding the two programming options presented for their consideration. A detailed analysis of staff's Public Participation Plan and our findings have been attached for Council review. It was staff's original goal to pursue a Local Origination Programming type system. Upon further review of the current Franchise Agreement requirements, and the Public comment received at each of the two Public Forums held in February, staff sensed a desire from the community to pursue and recommend the establishment and implementation of Public, Education and Governmental Programming. However, since the conclusion of these public forums, the City has received approximately 85-90 letters, from 37 individuals, stating their opposition to the implementation of PEG or any other type of cable access programming in Santa Clarita. At this time staff anticipates divided community input, from a large number of participants, at the March 9, 1993 Council meeting. The existing geographic area serviced by both ATC and King Videocable includes both the City and unincorporated portions of the County of Los Angeles. At this time, approximately 80% of both cable operators customer base is located in Santa Clarita. The remaining 20% of their market are homes located within the unincorporated region of Los Angeles County. Both the City's and County's existing Franchise Agreements specify that ATC and King Videocable provide City and County residents within the Santa Clarita Valley with PEG Programming. It is staff's recommendation to establish a quality level of PEG programming at a minimal cost to the City. Such a system would encompass functional studio facilities, a studio training program for City residents, and the production of live Council meetings. Additionally, "Safe Harbor"- periods, establishing specific viewing times when programming of an adult nature may be aired, could be established by a Community Cable Advisory Committee. Further, policies limiting the number of times that a show, produced by any single producer, can be aired on cable access, may be established. At this time staff is seeking direction from Council to proceed with the implementation of PEG Programming, and anticipates returning to Council at a later date with a detailed explanation of the projected system, including anticipated costs, the functions of the Community Cable Advisory Committee, and the specific broadcast time, length and number of times that programming may be aired. Cable Access Programming March 9, 1993 Page 3. RECOMMENDATION Based upon the City's current Franchise Agreement, and input from the public at each of our Public Forums addressing cable access programming, staff recommends that Council: 1) receive staff's report discussing both PEG and LO Programming options; 2) receive public comment and; 3) direct staff to facilitate the implementation of Public, Educational and Governmental Access Programming. ATTACHMENTS Public Participation Summary Franchise Specifics Current Resources Available (Proposed) Public Access Survey of Other Cities and Cable Operators Cable Access Form Questionnaire Sample Letter to Mayor Heidt from cable subscriber /kmt f:\home\agendas\pegagend PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SUMMARY On February 10th and 18th, Public Works staff conducted two Public Forums to introduce, discuss and seek input on matters related to the establishment and implementation of a Community Access Channel in Santa Clarita. The Public comment received at each forum indicated to staff that a desire exists among the community to pursue the implementation of Public, Education, and Governmental Access Programming in Santa Clarita. However, since the conclusion of these forums, the City has received numerous letters and phone calls from residents of the Community, stating their opposition to the implementation of PEG or any other type of cable access programming in Santa Clarita. Attached is a summary of these meeting, specifically regarding what the Community does and does not want from cable access programming, and an overall consensus. The following provides a breakdown of the number of responses staff has received to'date, regarding the community's position on cable access programming: • As a result of both Public Forums, the City received 14 responses to a questionnaire distributed at each forum (see attached questionnaire), of these responses • 12 respondents indicated they prefer the implementation of PEG Programming • 2 respondents indicated they prefer the City implement no type of cable access programming • To date, the City has received approximately 85 to 90 letters, from 37 individuals, stating their opposition to PEG Programming. • To date, the City has received nine responses to our questionnaire in the February 28, 1993 Signal. Of these nine responses, eight indicated a preference for LO Programming. • Finally, the City has received approximately 10 to 15 phone calls from the Community in regard to cable access. These call range from wanting additional clarification as to the differences between PEG and LO Programming, to requesting information on how they could seek employment as a studio operator, to stating their opposition to the implementation of any type of cable access programming in Santa Clarita. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING SUMMARY WANT: 1. Free speech/lst Amendment 2. Wide spectrum of material 3. Access to every citizen 4. Live broadcasts of public meetings S. School athletic events 6. Music/culture 7. Involvement by students 8. Availability of studio 9. Resources toward educational programs 10. Guidebook 11. Internship program 12. Remote broadcast 13. Talk show - local 14. Local papers to publish schedules 15. Volunteers 16. Remote van for live broadcasts to increase number of government programs 17. Committee to advise city/county on pubic access 18. High quality 19. Franchise containing periodic review clauses 20. Ratings, current warnings 21. Length, quality standards, frequency 22. One half to one hour special events 23. Live city council and school board meetings 24. High school and college students as techs. 25. pet adoption 26. Environmental issues 27. Educational for adults and elementary school students 28. Open/diverse forum - no censorship 29. Late nigh adult content on separate channel 30. Freeway status 31. Charitable, non-profit events 32. Employment opportunities directory 33. Citizen Committee for air time 34. Make it easy to produce material PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING SUMMARY DON'T WANT: 1. Monopolizing time by one group 2. Excessive length of broadcasts 3. Editorial content controlled by government body 4. Delay/taping of government meetings 5. Llimited to the City of Santa Clarita 6. Censorship or editorial 7. Editing of meetings, substance (breaks, closed sessions, etc. are okay to edit) 8.. Illegal acts 9. PEG instead of CSPAN IT 10. Professionally produced programs for government 11. Restrictions beyond required by law 12. Governmental involvement in editing 13. Extensive City money used for system /gmm cable.agn PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN MEETING SUMMARY CONSENSUS Wide spectrum of material diversity/different subjects 2. Live broadcasts of public meetings and government meetings. Volunteers, minimal City money. 4. Limit length of programs and monopolizing of one group. 5. Free speech (some want censorship or warnings). 6. High quality. FRANCHISE SPECIFICS Upon incorporation in December of 1987„ the City adopted an existing cable franchise agreement, originally negotiated by the County of Los Angeles between King Videocable and ATC. Among other items negotiated, this franchise agreement provides that both cable operators will provide for a community access programming channel.. As negotiated, the current agreement provides that the City's cable operators will implement community access programming channel on July 1, 1993. The current franchise includes numerous provisions pertaining directly to community access programming, these include: The cable operators will dedicate six (6) channels for public, educational and governmental (PEG) use. 2. Initially, up to three (3) channels shall be activated for PEG use, with the remaining activated upon written notice from the City. The cable company shall submit to the City a written plan for community access programming. This plan shall include: a. Description of equipment available b. Establishment of Community Cable Committee C. Description of a Training program d. Description of funding sources and grants available for support of the community access programming e. Description of an information outreach program for the community f. Timetable for implementation of the plan f: \home\agendas\pegagend CURRENT RESOURCES AVAILABLE (PROPOSED) The following figures are based upon what the City has already negotiated with both ' cable operators. The anticipated costs to the City are just that, anticipated and approximate based upon our current franchise agreement. CABLE OPERATOR'S COSTS • Studio facilities for Public to produce material for airing • Training program and intern program at COC • $75,000 to $125,000 towards the purchase of equipment • $15,000 to $30,000 to construct a studio facility • 1 full time/1 part time staff member ($60,000) • $36,000 miscellaneous repairs and maintenance STUDIO EQUMIENT (AS'REQUIRED BY THE CITY'S FRANCHISE) • Two (2) high industrial cambers • One (1) or more editing suites/control room(s), including editing and control equipment • One (1) character generator and/or titler • Complete studio lighting and portable lighting equipment • Audio and audio equipment • One (1) special effects generator • Intercom/head set communications system • Set equipment including table, chairs and ancillary equipment • Sufficient tapes, in appropriate format and quality for routine operation of this production facility for five (5) years CITY COSTS (OPTIONAL) • 1 full time staff member ($50,000) • $32,000 towards the cost of live or taped Council and Commission meetings • $30,000 for part time staff .(camera operators) • ADA requirements (live broadcasts) $6,000 • Creation of Community Cable Advisory Committee (determine broadcast times, programming and quality levels) fAhome\agendas\pegagend February 16, 1993 Mayor Jan Heidt City of Santa Clarita 25663 Avenue Stanford Santa Clarita, CA 913:55 Ref: Public Access Television Dear Mayor Heidt, 1 am very concerned about the idea of Public Access T.V. being brought into our valley. I have two children, ages 5 and 7, and the thought that they could turn on T.V. any time of the day and see some immoral or racially motivated program scares me to death. My family has already limited T.V. to be shut off by 10:00am and not turned on again until 7:00pm. If Public Access T.V. could be limited to one channel with the ability to block it out would be one thing. But the Idea of no control on what Is said or done is completely out of line. Where do we draw the line on what we see on T.V. You, the City Counsel and the American Public are responsible to our children. Lets face it, garbage in -garbage out. If this goes through, I will completely disconnect my cable in order to protect my children. Also, somehow we the people would wind up footing the bill for the $85,000 van, equipment, etc. either• through higher cable bills or higher taxes. I refuse the pay for something I am completely against. I realize the Public Access has some good points such as televised high school games, City Counsel meetings, Water District meetings, etc. However, I sincerely feel that the bad outweighs the, good. Please, vote NO to Public Access Television in any form. Thank you, j�lr1C37�111't- Brenda Solomon Canyon Country Ci 7 1 / £X4 �f �. (. REECEI V ED FEB t y 1993 CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SANTA CLARITA COP JS TO CITY COUIX.M, Cift MANAGER, CITY CLEC' Dale / Zb