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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-01-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - CABLE TV UPDATE (2)J, A UNFINISHED BUSINESS DATE: AGENDA REPORT January 26, 1993 SUBJECT: Cable Television Update DEPARTMENT: Public Works City ManWp?fval'�I; Item to be presented by: Jeff Kolin DQutv City Manager Pursuant to the provisions of the existing Franchise Agreement, the City's Franchised cable operators, King Videocable and ATC Cablevision, are obligated to establish a Community Channel which will provide Public Access, Education and Government (PEG) programming for City residents. Public Works staff has developed a Public Participation Plan in order to facilitate the implementation of.a Public Access Channel. This participation plan has been. developed in a manner which presupposes the establishment of PEG Programming as outlined in the original franchise agreement. If the Council direction calls upon staff to pursue a different course, staff will simply revise the participation plan and timeline accordingly. Staff is closely monitoring the progression of the recent adoption of the 1992 Cable Act recently passed by Congress over President Bush's Veto. Staff will have a clearer understanding of the impact this act has upon the City of Santa Clarita after April of 1993. That is when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to release their guidelines for implementation and administrative procedures in following the new Cable Act. Council has three options to consider pertaining to the implementation of community cable programming. Outlined below is a summary of each option for Council review. Upon Council approval, staff will aggressively proceed with and implement the selected option. Continued To A9 sada Item:3:.�. OPTION NO. 1: PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT (PEG) PROGRAMNIING Staff is prepared to move forward and execute the measures necessary to implement (PEG) by September 1, 1993. Based upon the current Franchise Agreement and a decision to pursue PEG Programming,the two cable companies will provide the following to the City: • $75,000 to $125,000 worth of equipment and an additional $10,000 to $30,000 to renovate a studio facility • One full and part-time employee to assist the public in operating the equipment. • Training classes provided to the public and an Internship program with College of the Canyons would be established • Educational and Government programming such as Council meetings • Out -reach programs sponsored_ by the City • Broadcast City Council meetings same day or live The selection of PEG Programming would allow the City to move forward without the need to renegotiate the existing Cable Franchise Agreement and allow for the implementation of PEG Programming by September 1, 1993. Staff estimates that. PEG Programming would require the City to: Purchase of a minimum of three (3) cameras at an estimated cost of $5,000 each Dedicate of a minimum of three (3) City employees, including the efforts of the Public Information Officer, and train staff to operate in this capacity. Directly determine all programming rules and regulations for the use of the studio and equipment, which may be set by a committee comprised of City and cable personnel. Finally, PEG Programming raises First Amendment concerns for the City. PEG Programming does not allow the exclusion of programs at will since this would violate the provisions of the First Amendment. Therefore, it would be difficult to include programming deemed acceptable to the community while excluding material deemed unacceptable. OPTION 2: COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAMMING Community Programming is produced by the cable companies. The City would bear no responsibility for the programming content; however, could accept and air only those programs pertinent to our community. This process is analogous to a community newspaper in that articles may be submitted, but it is the editor (cable operators) who choose the content of the newspaper, or in this instance what shall be aired. A decision to move in the direction of Community Access would require that the current Cable Franchise Agreement be renegotiated. If Council chooses to develop Community Programming, it is anticipated that the cable companies would provide the following: • Studio and equipment for their use only • Programming (with limited input from the City) • . Production of a negotiated number of City programs/events per year • School productions; aired at the cable operators discretion • Taped City Council meetings aired the next day 4 Staff estimates Community Access would require minimal staff time from the City's Cable Liaison and Public Information officer. However, in choosing this option the City risks losing concessions already agreed to in the current franchise agreement. Additionally, renegotiating and reworking the agreement and implementation plans would set back the programming timeline approximately 3 months, or to December 1993. The most obvious benefits of .Community Access programming are the minimal costs and elimination of the decision to air questionable programming. - However, Community Access limits the City's control and input with regard to programming. OPTION 3• EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT(E&G) ACCESS The third option for Council consideration specifically provides the Citywith control over Education and Government Programming, while leaving the cable companies control over Public and Local Access. Again, a decision to move in this direction would require the current Cable Franchise - Agreement to be renegotiated. Based upon a decision by the City to administer Community Programming, it is anticipated that the cable companies and the City would provide the following: City would be responsible for Education and Government Access Programming and be provided with: -Live City Council and Commission Meetings -Out-reach Programming -Educational Programming Cable companies would provide (pending amendment of the Franchise): -Studio facilities, accessible to the public and City staff -$75,000 to $125,000 worth of equipment -One full and Part-time employee -Training classes and Internship Program with College of the Canyons Rules and Regulations set by a committee comprised of the City and Cable Personnel Cable operators would provide Public and Local origination access Of the above 3 options staff recommends pursuing Option 2:, Community Access Programming. Although this option requires renegotiation of the current agreement, and causes a delay in implementation, it is the best long-term choice with regard to cost and programming responsibilities. Concessions already provided for.in the current agreement are at risk, and further delay in implementation is evident under this option. However, staff has been in contact with the cable companies and is confident that they will work with the City towards an equal or better solution than the one currently in place. Wagnda