HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12091986 - IO.5 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 10 .
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FROM: INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Costa
DATE: December 9, 1986 C"rlt)y
SUBJECTICOmmunity Access Work Plan
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1) Approve the attached Community Access Work Plan with the 'following
priorities:
a) Conduct a community awareness and needs survey;
b) Develop public information `strategies;
Q) Identify •supports needs and develop a Community Access Grant
Program;
d) Identify resources for Community Access Programming; and
e) Conduct a feasibility study for a county-wide interconnection; .
2) Dedicate 2% of the .5% Cable Franchise Fee as the funding base for
Community Access; and
:i 3 ) Refer to the County Administrator the request for .increased staffing
support, including a 20/40 Administrative Analyst and a 10/40 Clerk
(Experienced Level) .
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Prior to 1986 , Community Access was funded by a yearly payment by cable
companies of 451 per subscriber. This was eliminated with the 2% increase
in franchise fees ( since the County now receives the maximum allowable by
Federal law) . The Board' s intent at the time 'was to dedicate the 2% to
community access if there was consensus between the cable companies, cities
and County on the Work Plan.
The Community Access Trust Fund' s current balance is about $50,000. The 2%
franchise fee would generate approximately $120, 000 per year. As outlined
by the Work Plan, staff costs would be approximately 15% of the total, with
the remaining for the community survey, public information, and grants
program.
' s
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: ,
X
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
1 APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S) N y C. Fanden Sunne !4. McPeak
ACTION OF BOARD ON IlarAmhpr A QR Fi APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X_ OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
X_ UNANIMOUS (ABSENT 17 ) 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE .
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
December 9, 1986
CC: County Administrator ATTESTED
n e or, Clerk of the Elostd of
Sulpervbm as Coidy Adminis dff.
DEPUTY
Maea/T
Page 2
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BACKGROUND .
On February 25, 1985 the Board of Supervisors directed the development of a
policy position paper for long-range improvements to Community Access
Programming. The draft Policy Paper was reviewed by almost all cities and
Cable Companies in the County, as well as the video Alliance and other
interested parties. Following the recommendation of the IO Committee, the
Board adopted the Policy Paper on November 5, 1985 and increased franchise
fees by 2% (Resolution 85-649) . Simultaneously, the Board directed County
staff to work with cable company representatives and other interested
persons (membership list attached) to design a work plan and a time schedule
to implement the Policy Paper.
The attached work plan is the result of the Committee' s efforts over the
past year. The consensus was that the effort is important for the County
and must be adequately funded and staffed if it is to succeed. In
addition, the Committee felt that its continuation would be useful to give
advice and guidance to County staff .
Currently, the Community Access effort is staffed at a quarter time
Administrative Aide and a quarter time Experienced Clerk. . At this level,
progress on the work,-plan would be limited to about one task per year. By
increasing professional staff to a half time Administrative Analyst, we
anticipate being able to complete the community survey and develop the
marketing and grants program the first year.
COMMUNITY ACCESS
WORK PLAN
A. COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND NEEDS
PURPOSE:
To assess the level of. citizen knowledge and interest in community
access.
To identify areas of programming interests.
To • identify current television viewers, their habits, and
information sources about programming.
COSTS:
Consultant: $5 ,000-$29 ,000 (See Appendix A)
County: $5 ,300-$13 ,100 (See Appendix A)
IMPLEMENTATION:
3-6 months (following selection of consultant)
BACKGROUND:
Approximately 185 ,000 households in Contra Costa County subscribe
to cable television. Almost every cable company operates a
community access program to a greater or lesser degree. Yet,
currently there is very little data on household opinions about
community access television on such issues as: viewership of
current programming; demand for additional programming; and ways
to better communicate program schedules. This survey would fill
that informational gap. In addition, survey results could be used
as a "baseline" for evaluating the impact of future efforts in
community access.
ACTIVITIES•
1 . Identify scope of survey - Select a stratified random sample of
all cable subscribers (both city and county residents) in Contra
Costa County.
2 . Determine survey sample size. - Sample size to be determined by a
professional consultant.
3 . Develop questionnaire - Use sample as a basis for discussion with
consultant to develop final questionnaire.
4 . Conduct Survey - Mail or phone survey based on consultant
recommendation and cost.
5 . Analyze Survey Results - Tabulate the results of the
questionnaire and analyze the data.
NOTE: All BOLD type are additions/changes to the work plan, in
accordance with the Committee's discussion.
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B. PUBLIC INFORMATION STRATEGIES
PURPOSE:
To identify current public information activities on community
access.
To assess potential for public information about community access.
COSTS:
County: $3 ,300 (See Appendix A)
IMPLEMENTATION:
3-5 months
BACKGROUND:
The concept of Community Access is still a relatively new one and
is not well known. Most broadcast channels are well known and
highly publicized, leading to the following questions:
How can community access cable television become more visible to
its potential viewers? To what extent would a common community
access channel number increase the visibility of community access?
What steps could be taken to make it easier for the media to
publish information concerning programming? What are the other
alternatives, besides newspaper coverage, to inform citizens of
available programs? What are other communities doing to publicize
community access? What are cable companies doing to publicize
community access?
These issues will be examined in a paper which will identify public
information strategies for community access and recommend
alternatives that the cable companies, county and cities could
jointly and individually use to promote community access.
ACTIVITIES•
1. Identify current public information activities - Determine
county, cities, cable companies and news media informational
activities on Community Access within Contra Costa County.
2. Identify other public information strategies - Contact several
cable companies and jurisdictions regarding their Community
Access informational activities.
3 . Examine visibility of community access - Identify barriers and
opportunities.
4. Recommend public information strategies - Identify strategies
(both individual and cooperative) that could be . used by the
cities, county and cable companies.
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C. INVENTORY RESOURCES
PURPOSE:
To determine the availability of resources for producers of
community access television.
To identify gaps and/or overlaps in current assistance programs for
producers.
COSTS:
Consultant: $3 ,000-$5,250 (See Appendix A)
County: $5, 300-$5 , 400 (See Appendix A)
IMPLEMENTATION:
3-6 months (following selection of- consultant)
BACKGROUND:
As awareness of Community Access Television increases, there is the
potential for increased demand for production facilities and
assistance. It will become increasingly important that resources
such as studios, equipment, training opportunities, technical
assistance and financial support are available throughout Contra
Costa County.
Several years ago, the Video Alliance developed the first inventory
of programming resources. This effort would update and expand that
booklet, and include a flow chart of the programming process. In
addition, a guide would supply producers with information on the
availability of resources needed to produce a community access
program.
ACTIVITIES•
1. Develop a flow chart - Identify the community access television
programming process, including studio needs, equipment needs,
technical support and financial requirements.
2. Develop a questionnaire - Using the flow chart as a guide,
identify availability of resources, including' people, studio,
equipment, training opportunities, technical assistance and
financial support. Some issues for consideration, are: citizen
advisory council, location of resources; type of resource;
numbers (if appropriate) ; availability criteria; accessibility
(relative to current demand) ; quality (of equipment, for
example) ; and the agency responsible for providing the resource
( including contact person) .
3 . Determine questionnaire recipients - Including: Cable companies,
the Video Alliance, cities, schools, Universities and Community
Colleges, the county, the State, private producers and Community
Access user groups.
4 . Distribution of questionnaire - Mail the questionnaire and
include a self-addressed stamped return envelope.
5. Tabulate results - Develop report of available resources
including a summary matrix. This report would highlight the gaps
and/or overlaps.
The report would be circulated as a resource guide for the cable
companies, the Video Alliance, cities, schools, Universities and
Community Colleges, the County libraries, the various County ,
Departments, (private producers) and the community access cable
audience.
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` D. INTERCONNECTION
PURPOSE:
To increase the usability of community access as a county-wide
communications resource.
To increase the usability of community access for producers.
To obviate current logistical and technical difficulties of
simultaneous cablecasts.
COSTS:
Consultant: $5, 400-$46,000 (Phase I Feasibility Study/See
Appendix A)
County: $8,200 (See. Appendix A)
IMPLEMENTATION:
4-8 months (following selection of consultant)
BACKGROUND:
Currently there is a bicycling system for CCTV (Contra Costa TV)
one evening each week. This first interconnection effort is a
cooperative venture between Viacom (Pittsburg) , UA Cable,
Televents, Concord TV Cable, the Video Alliance and the City of
Hercules.
While the CCTV bicycling interconnect is a significant advance in
the community access distribution system, county-wide cablecast
still requires the producer to duplicate tapes and distribute them
to each cable company. At best this is a lengthy and costly
process . Recent airings of shows on Aids and the Family Symposiums
cost about $400 for tape duplication and a solid day of driving.
These are serious obstacles to county-wide community access
programming.
ACTIVITIES:
Interconnect
1. Survey existing system - For each cable system determine:
channel capacity, one-way and two-way capability, location and
design of the headend ( including maps and design schematics) ,
identity and location of all significant public facilities
connected and not connected to each system, and frequency
allocation of current channel lineup. .
2. Study feasibility of interconnection -
a. Compare technical and cost considerations of a trunk line or
microwave headend interconnection,
b. Simulate (computer model) frequency coordination to predict
interference to microwave paths which could ,be used to
interconnect the headends,
c. Test actual interference on computer-predicted microwave
paths,
d. Determine if channel realignments are necessary to achieve
interconnection ( and identify alternative alignments, if
necessary) ,
e. Identify possible facilities to originate community
programming on the interconnect,
(continued)
_n_
2. Study feasibility of interconnection - (continued)
f . Analyze the feasibility of connecting to significant public
facilities,
g. on a preliminary basis, analyze the feasibility of two-way
interconnection between: A) two or more headends; B) two or
more origination points within the system,
h. Investigate the feasibility of tying the interconnect into ,
existing Bay Area interconnects.
3 . Identify institutional agreements - Identify any institutional
agreements between the County, Cities and cable companies
necessary to implement the interconnection. .
4 . Develop implementation plan - Develop and recommend an
interconnection action plan to the Board of Supervisors,
including possible phased interconnect.
Coordination of Community Access
1 . Status of common channel number - Prepare a report on the status
of achieving a common community access channel number.
2 . Current common program schedule - Identify issues (such as
selection, timing, availability of programs) affecting use of a
common program schedule (CCTV) for a limited number of programs .
3 . Media coverage - Investigate opportunities for increased media
coverage of CCTV.
4 . Action plan - Develop an action plan for CCTV.
E. PROGRAMMING
PURPOSE:
To identify the level of interest in programming.
To stimulate production of programs on issues of county-wide
interest.
COST:
County: $6,200 (See Appendix A)
IMPLEMENTATION:
4-6 months
BACKGROUND:
Many groups within Contra Costa County currently produce
community access programs, including schools, cities, community
groups, individuals and. the County. Despite this, air time is
widely available for programs of both local and county-wide
interest. At the County level, there is interest in increased
programming to fill the airtime. For example, the Board of
Supervisors recently requested staff to investigate use of
community access to increase citizen awareness. of land use and
transportation issues.
A first step towards programmer support occurred in March, 1986 .
After several requests from programmers, the County began working
to establish an interim grant program to support hard program
production costs, including post production editing, purchase of
video tapes and duplication of tapes ( limited to $500 per
program) . Recognizing a need for this type of support, the Interim
Grant Program was approved on March 18, 1986. To date there have
been 8 grant recipients, with several additional inquiries. This
Work Plan further defines and develops a grant program.
ACTIVITIES•
1. Identify technical, organizational and other support needs -
Identify support needs for programming, based on the prior
surveys and focus group discussions with community access
producers and community groups.
2 . Investigate a County Grant Program - Review interim grant program
and other city and county grant programs in light of County
needs.
3 . Develop a County grant program - Based on focus group discussions
and previous . surveys in the work plan, develop criteria, and
decide upon reviewing authority and funding levels for a County
grant program.
4 . Review proposed grant program - Present recommendations to the IO
Committee and Board of Supervisors.
5 . Develop outreach to inform public about County Grant Program -
Use public information strategies to distribute information about
County Community Access Grant Program.
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Mr. Tom Beatty Ms. Michelle Dietrich Mr. George Brilts
City of Antioch Viacom C.C.F.T.A.
2201 Arbol Ct. 6640 Sierra Lane 92 Monte Cresta Ave.
Antioch, Ca. 94509 Dublin, Ca. 94568 Pleasant Hill,Ca.94523
Ms . Carol Brylka Ms. Peggy Christiansen Mr. Gene Cook
Video Alliance City of Concord United Artists Cable
217 Village Gate 1950 Parkside Drive Post Office Box 4308
Orinda, CA 94563 Concord, CA 94519 Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Mr. Brian Coyne Mr. Frank Hernandez Ms. Myrt Jones
Vice President General Manager General Manager
Televents Inc. Bay Cablevision Viacom Cablevision
2631 Pleasant Hill Road Post Office Box 5009 6640 Sierra Lane
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Richmond, CA 94805 Dublin, CA 94568
Ms. Janet Kennedy Mr. Duncan McIver Mr. Don McNay
City of San Pablo Century Cable-No. Calif. Televents of East Cnty
One Alvarado Square Post Office Box 328 101 Village Drive
San Pablo, Ca. 94806 San Pablo, .CA 94806 Brentwood, CA 94513
Mr: Joseph Meneghini Mr. ErnestNelligan Mr. Bill Pollacek
Assistant City Mgr. President, City of Martinez
City of Pinole Concord TV Cable 2012 Silver Lake Way
2131 Pear Street 959 Detroit Avenue Martinez, Ca. 94553
Pinole, CA 94564 Concord, CA 94518
Mr. Brad Rovanpera Dave Hobbs Mr. Charlie Sheppler
City of Walnut Creek City of Pittsburg Televents
P. O. Box 8039 2020 Railroad Ave. 2631 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Walnut Creek, Ca. 94596 Pittsburg, Ca.. 94565• Pleasant Hill,Ca,94523
Mr. Steve Shriver Mr. Guy Stark Ms. Deb Stewart
Video Alliance Viacom Cablevision Office Manager
4256 Santa Rita Road 550 Garcia Avenue Viacom Cablevision
E1 Sobrante, CA 94803 Pittsburg, CA 94565 751 Belmont Way .
Pinole, Ca. 94564
Ms. Amey Stone Ms. Louise Stone Ms. Pat Sully
Dir.of Community Affairs 2710 Genest Street City of Pleasant Hill
Televents Inc. Martinez, Ca. 94553 3300 North Main Street
2631 Pleasant Hill Rd. Pleasant Hill,Ca. 94523
Pleasant Hill, Ca. 94523
Ms. Dee Trotta Harry E. Gill Mr. George Maat
General Manager City of Brentwood Video Alliance
Viacom Cablevision 708 Third Street P. O. Box 94
550 Garcia Avenue Brentwood, Ca. 94513 Martinez, Ca. 94553
Pittsburg, Ca. 94565
Ms. Ilene Ward Ms. Lorraine Weese Ms. Tamara Wickland
City of Lafayette Los Medanos College City of Hercules
500 St. Mary' s Road P. O. Box 280 555 Railroad Ave.
Lafayette, Ca. 94549 Bethel Island,CA 94511 Hercules, Ca. 94547 .
Mr. Larry Whitney Ms. Sue Lewis Ms. Ruth Steiner
Western Cable System City of Lafayette City of Martinez
818 Douglas Street 3711 Rose Ct. 525 Henrietta St.
Redwood City, CA 94063 Lafayette, Ca. 94549 Martinez, Ca. 94553
Ms . Bobbie Landers Ms. Lyn Simpson Mr. Joe Schaeffer
Orinda City Council Kinley Simpson & Assoc. Kinley Simpson & Assoc
26 Orinda Way 4549 Sandalwood Dr. 4549 Sandalwood Dr.
Orinda, Ca. 94563 Pleasanton, Ca. 94566 Pleasanton, Ca. 94566
Ms. Jann Rose Chris Lammers Joan Nobel
United Artists Cable Western Communications City of Danville
P.O. Box 4308 P. O. Box 4610 542 San Ramon Valley B7"
Walnut Creek, Ca. 94596 Walnut Creek, Ca. 94596 Danville, Ca. 94526
Terry Cotten Mr. Craig Monroe Mr. A. Don Donatelli
Concord TV Cable City of San Pablo Director
959 Detroit Avenue 1 Alvarado Square Learning Resources
Concord, Ca. 94518 San Pablo, Ca. 94806 Los Medanos College
2700 E. Leland Rd.
Pittsburg, Ca. 94565
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Dave Kinley Judith Andrea Trice
Kinley Simpson & Assoc. Attorney at Law
4549 Sandlewood Dr. 219 Broadway
Pleasanton, Ca. 94566 Richmond, Ca. 94805