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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - LOCAL PUBLIC TV MGMT (2)Agenda Item: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Manager Approval: �_J--i"T Item to be presented by: Darren Hernandez DATE: December 9, 2008 SUBJECT: LOCAL PUBLIC TELEVISION MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: 1. Direct the City Manager to continue efforts with community stakeholders to work towards the creation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) or non-profit organization to partner in the administration and direct financial support of Channel 20. 2. Appropriate funds in the amount of $180,000 from Public, Education, and Government (PEG) Capital Grant Fund Balance (330) to Account 12205-5201.002, and appropriate $25,000 from Contingency Account 19300-5401.001 to the Communication Division's Professional Services Account 11500-5161.002 for the continued operation of Channel 20. 3. Direct the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with SCVTV in an amount not to exceed $25,000 to operate Channel 20. 4. Direct City Manager to return to Council with additional information in April 2009. 5. Reject all proposals as non-responsive to the published Request for Proposals. BACKGROUND At the October 28, 2008 regular meeting, Council directed staff to meet with all community stakeholders to determine their interest and ability to economically partner in the operation of the City's Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) station (Channel 20). ' 'OVED On June 11, 2008, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking proposals from qualified groups with the financial ability to partner in the operation of the City's PEG station, known as Channel 20. Staff reached out to several local entities to make them aware of this RFP including the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, KHTS, The Signal, and College of the Canyons. A total of 27 individuals downloaded the City's Public Television RFP document. On July 31, 2008, the City received two proposals from local entities that included Santa Clarita Valley Television (SCVTV) and the Santa Clarita Public Television Corporation (SCPTC). A seven member panel evaluated and ranked each proposal. On September 3, 2008, a panel comprised of internal staff and the City Manager interviewed representatives of each proposing party. The evaluation panel found SCVTV's proposal inadequate as its business plan relied upon the City funding all initial operational costs and it lacked a long-term approach for financial self -sustainability. With regard to SCPTC, further consideration became unnecessary when, on September 22, 2008, the City received formal notification of their intent to withdraw their proposal. As such, the evaluation panel recommends the City Council reject all proposals. Following the October 28 Council meeting, staff met with Leon Worden (SCVTV), Carl Goldman (KHTS)„ Ian LaMont (The Signal), Gloria Mercado-Fortine and Jamie Castellanos (William S. Hart School District), Dave Brill, Mitjl Carvalho Capet and Bruce Fortine (College of the Canyons). The focus of these meetings was to discuss the level of interest that each stakeholder had in economically partnering with the City in operation of Channel 20. While no firm commitments of funding were made, these stakeholders reiterated their support for Channel 20 and expressed interest in participating in a joint meeting with City staff and all other stakeholders in early 2009. The purpose of this meeting would be to discuss the potential formation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) or non-profit organization whereby each stakeholder would economically participate to support the operation of Channel 20. In this structure, a JPA or non-profit organization serves as the governing community agency that manages and finances the long-term operations of Channel 20, with each agency appointing members of the board. For its part, the City can bring more than $300,000 in annual funding to this partnership in the form of Capital PEG Grant Funds that Santa Clarita receives. The City's economic contribution would include the assumption of all capital costs including leasing of the existing studio, and purchase of production and playback equipment. These funds can only be used by the City for capital -related expenses that support local public television. Future uses of the City's capital funds may include the purchase of a remote production vehicle to broadcast local events live on Channel 20 and the construction of a state-of-the-art studio. The City will also continue to fund costs associated with staff and production equipment to produce all government programming that airs on Channel 20. While the City and stakeholders agencies determine how to best partner in the long-term operation of Channel 20, it is requested the City Council appropriate interim resources to maintain day-to-day operations of Channel 20. To accomplish this, staff recommends the award of a six-month professional services agreement to SCVTV. In addition, staff is requesting appropriation of $150,000 in PEG Capital Grant Funds to purchase studio equipment. These capital monies will be used to supplement the estimated $75,000 in existing studio equipment Time Warner Cable will grant to the City. Staff also requests appropriation of $30,000 in PEG Capital Grant Funds to lease the existing studio for the remainder of fiscal year 2008/09. Finally, staff recommends the Council appropriate $25,000 from the Contingency Fund to provide seed money to SCVTV to operate the studio through the conclusion of FY 2008/09 while a long-term collaborative solution is developed. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Do not approve recommended action. 2. Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT 1. Appropriate funds in the amount of $180,000 from the Public, Education, and Government Fund Balance (330) to Account 12205-5201.002. 2. Appropriate $25,000 from Contingency Account 19300-5401.001 to Communication Division's Professional Services Account 11500-5161.002.