HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04091985 - IO.2 1a re
TO: 130ARD OF SUPERVISORS
Contra
FROM: INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Costa
1 DATE: w��
April 8, 1985
SUBJECT: Cable Television Community Access
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) Q BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Direct staff to circulate the attached draft community
access policy paper to all cities in the County and all
cable companies operating in the County, as well as the
Video Alliance and other interested _Parties for their review
and comment.
2. Direct the Cable TV Administrator to make appropriate
revisions to the community access policy paper based on
input from the cities, cable companies, Video Alliance, and
other interested parties, and return a revised draft to the
Internal Operations Committee.
3. Authorize the Cable TV Administrator to undertake a series
of meetings with the cable TV operators in the County, with
the objective of attempting to reach a consensus among the
companies on the designation of a single community access
channel number for use within the County and a timetable for
implementation of such a common channel number as quickly as
possible.
4. -Direct County Counsel to determine whether authority exists
under the County' s current cable TV ordinance which would
allow the Board of Supervisors to enforce the use of a
common community access channel number and return his
opinion to our Committee.
5. Request the County Administrator and, as necessary, the
Finance Committee, to review the request of the Cable TV
Administrator for an additional half-time person to assist
in implementation of the objectives outlined in the draft
position paper, such position to be funded from the existing
community access trust fund.
6. Adopt the attached resolution which endorses the efforts of,'.
the Video Alliance in strengthening, developing, and
coordination cable television resources in Contra Costa
County.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X RECO ION OF BOA D COMMITTEE
X APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S) Tom Torlakson To wers
ACTION OF BOARD ON pry APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT I ) I 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.
County Administrator
CC: Public Works Director ATTESTED �� 9 19-9-S
Cable TY Administrator PHIL BATCHELOR. CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
County Counsel SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Finance Committee
Maez/�-sa BY � DEPUTY
Page 2
7. Adopt in principle the attached resolution on the subject of
community access programming fund purposes, and refer it to
County Counsel for his opinion on whether the resolution
adequately complies with State law in order to allow
deregulated cable TV companies to elect to pay 40 cents per
subscriber per year to the County pursuant to Government
Code Section 53066, and request County Counsel to return a
resolution to the Board for adoption in final form at his
earliest convenience.
BACKGROUND:
On March 5, 1985, the Board adopted a report from our Committee
which directed the Cable TV Administrator to prepare a work plan
for long-range improvements in the existing cable television
system as it relates to community access programming, and also
referred to our Committee a resolution provided to the Board by
the Video Alliance endorsing their efforts.
Our Committee met with the Cable TV Administrator and
representatives from the Video Alliance and the Contra Costa
Alliance for the Arts, on April 8, 1985. The Cable TV
Administrator shared with us a draft community access policy
paper which outlines goals for community access cable TV in this
County, and establishes objectives in four specific areas;
namely, viewer accessibility, system interconnection, program
production, and financial resources. In order to ensure that the
policy paper adequately reflects the views of all involved
parties, we are recommending that it be circulated rather broadly
and that the Cable TV Administrator revise the policy paper as
necessary and return it to our Committee for further
consideration.
Our Committee believes strongly in the need to develop community
access television in order to make use of the community access
channel by County agencies. We would particularly like to see
the County undertake the production of programming which might,
for instance, allow a public education effort around our current
efforts to site a solid waste disposal facility, or to facilitate
the marketing of the County's Contra Costa Health Plan.
One of the initial objectives which our Committee strongly
supports is the need to designate a single community access
channel number within the County. We have, therefore, included
in our recommendations authority for the Cable TV Administrator
to undertake discussions with the cable companies to determine
whether such a single community access number can be agreed upon
and, if so, how quickly it can be implemented.
We are also asking County Counsel to advise us whether our
existing ordinance would allow the County to impose such a
requirement, although we recognize that cooperative discussion
among the cities, cable TV operators, and the County is far
preferable than any effort by government to impose such a
requirement on the companies.
In order to accomplish the objectives outlined in the draft
policy paper, it may be necessary to provide additional staff to
the Cable TV Administrator. Therefore, we have included a
recommendation asking the County Administrator and, as
appropriate, the Finance Committee, to determine the need for
such a position and the extent to which such a position can be
financed from existing trust fund revenues, as well as possible
future revenues derived from an increase in the franchise fee as
is now permitted under federal law.
Page 3
Marcus Van Hala, Chairman of the Video Alliance, summarized the
resolution which they had presented to the Board and which
generally outlines the past activities of the Video Alliance.
our Committee believes that adoption of this resolution is
entirely appropriate.
Finally, the Cable TV Administrator has presented our Committee
with a proposed resolution which would conform the County's
community service programming fund to State law in order to allow
Televents, and other companies who .may deregulate in the future,
to choose to allocate 40 cents of the 50 cent subscription fee to
local government rather than forwarding the full amount to the
State. We simply would like County Counsel to review the
resolution to ensure that it will conform our fund to the State
law and return a final resolution to the Board for adoption.
- THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on April 16, .1985 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SUBJECT: Community Access Programming Fund Purposes
WHEREAS Contra Costa County Cable Television Ordinance No. 82-28 provides
for the establishment and administration of a Community Service
Programming Fund; and
WHEREAS the Ordinance further permits an initial annual community service
surcharge of 50 cents per subscriber, the amount of which may be
increased or decreased by Board Resolution after February 1 , 1985; and
WHEREAS cable companies which deregulate in accordance to Government Code
Section 53066 may elect to pay 40 cents per subscriber per year to the
local entity and 10 cents per subscriber per year to the Statewide
Foundation of Community Service Television, or elect to provide the
entire 50 cents per subscriber per year to the State organization;
and
WHEREAS under State law, cable company election to contribute to the
County Fund requires the establishment or designation of an entity with
certain purposes and functions.
NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED that Contra Costa County hereby affirms and
states that the purposes of the Community Service Programming Fund
include, but are not limited to the encouragement of, and provision
of, (a) instruction and training for individuals, groups, entities
and agencies interested in using community service channels; (b) the
nondiscriminatory employment and promotion of other opportunities for
minorities and women in the cable television industry; (c) public
information on the effective use of Cable Television community
service channels; (d) production of programs by local groups and
County agencies; (e) program distribution systems which increase the
accessibility of community access to the subscriber, community and
• County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Contra Costa County hereby requests that
Televents elect to provide,.,money to the County Community Service
Programming Fund in accordance with the provision of Government Code
Section 53066.1 .
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bo:catrust.t4
Orig. Dept. Public Works .(Franchise Administration)
cc: Televents (via PW)
RESOLUTION 85/
. J
DRAFT
SUMMARY
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COMMUNITY ACCESS
POLICY POSITION PAPER AND WORK PLAN
e
GOALS
Contra Costa County goals for community access cable television are:
1 . W.idespread -use of cable television access channels for community,
educational., and governmental purposes; and
2. Widespread viewing of community access channels.
OBJECTIVES - VIEWER ACCESSIBILITY
Recommendation - That the Board of Supervisors adopt the following position:
Immediate Objective (1 year) : Designation of a single community
access channel number within Contra Costa County.
- Intermediate Objective (3 years) : Use of the common channel
number by all cable companies
OBJECTIVES- INTERCONNECTION
Recommendation - .That the Board of Supervisors adopt the following position:
Immediate. Objective (1 year): Development and operation of a
centralized repository and distribution system for tapes.
Immediate Objective (1 year) : Policy- agreement by the cities and
cable companies on the desirability of an interconnected system
for community access channels.
Immediate Objective (1-3 years): Joint agreement between the
cities , and County, for the study and development of an inter-
connected community access system with dedicated funding for the
effort.
Intermediate Objective (3-5 years) : Development and implemen-
tation of a single channel one-way interconnected community
access. channel .
Long-term Objective (5-7 years) : Development and implementation
of two-way interconnected community access.
DRAFT
OBJECTIVES - PRODUCTION OF PROGRAMS
Recommendation
Immediate Objective (1 year) : Develop and implement procedures
and .review criteria for programming grants under the Community
Service Programming Fund.
Immediate Objective (1 -3 years): Develop specific community
access programs by County agencies..
Intermediate Objective (3-5 years) : Assess current and potential
community access programming by County agencies.
Long-Term Objective (5-7 years) : Implement a standard package of
County programs including live transmission of Board of Supervisors
meetings (upon completion of the interconnection) .
OBJECTIVES - FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Recommendation - That the Board of Supervisors adopt the following position:
Immediate Objective' (1 year) : Establishment of 2% of cable
companies franchise fees as the revenue base for the Community
Service Programming Fund.
WORKPLAN - 1985-86
TASK SCHEDULE
A M J J A S 0 N D J F M A M J
POLICY POSITION
1 . Review by IO Committee A M J
2. Review by Board M
3. Communication with Cities,
Mayor' s Conf. , Cable
Companies M J J
VIEWER ACCESSIBILITY
1 . Agreement on Common Channel
Number
a. Meetings with Cable
Companies A M J . J
b. Meetings with Cities J J A
INTERCONNECTION :.
1 . Tape Repository
a. Develop proposal M
b. Board: review/approval J
c. City/School approval J J A
d. Establish procedures S 0 .
e.: Purchase equipment : 0 N
J. Institute Program D
2. .. Interconnection Policy
a. Develop policy J F
: b. City/County review F M A
PRODUCTION OF PROGRAMS
1. Draft procedures 0 N =D
2. Review by Board D J
3. Institute first grant cycle. F M
REVENUE RESOURCES
1 . Assess funding:needs and M J
potential revenue
2. Public Hearing by. Board M J
BUDGET
The first year community access program is primarily a staff intensive
effort, not requiring substantive capital costs. Current staff time is
not sufficient to handle the anticipated work load.
Consequently, ' it is recommended that an Administrative Aide (20/40)
position , be established to assist the Franchise Administrator in
carrying out the first year' s programs. The position would be funded
from the Community Service Programming Fund.
Administrative Aide
12 months @ $666/month - $7992
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4/3/85
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DRAFT
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COMMUNITY ACCESS
POLICY POSITION PAPER AND WORK PLAN
BACKGROUND
Community Access Cable Television programming has been described as a "great
resource with tremendous potential ." As a resource, community access can cover
local events, examine . community issues, provide needed local information and
stimulate communication between government and its . citizens. In Contra Costa
County, citizens have been able to touch a button to participate in town meetings
(live telecasts with phone-in questions) , high school football games , local history
reviews, candidates nights , lessons on tackling taxes, discussions of the BART
extension policy, reviews of local history, lessons on individual communication
skills, job searches, and home safety technique reviews.
With as many as 85% of all households connected to cable in Central and East
County (30% in West County) , community access has a tremendous potential as a
communication resource. Yet, the genre is underutilized at present. Although
programming has increased over the last few years, no cable system produces or
shows more than 20 hours of programming per week. Viewers can experience diffi-
culty determining what programs are on at what times (some local papers print
general schedules , others do not; none print program descriptions) . The multipli-
city of community access channel numbers also contributes to viewer confusion.
There are 11 channel designations for the 12 cable companies in the County. In
addition,, there is no interconnection between the community access channels. In
order fora program to be shown on every cable system, someone must physically
deli ver ' a tape to each cable company in the County. In most cases a tape is
bicycled from cable company to cable company with a showing over several weeks.
Simultaneous transmission of tapes requires duplicating tapes one at a time, and
then individually coordinating a common show time. Of course, the tapes appear
on different channels on each system so that the option of "live" programming on
all systems is now technically impossible. Financial resources also contribute
to underutilization of community access in Contra Costa County. Increased
programming, improved distribution and accessibility all depend upon adequate
resources. Strengthening community access will require a coordinated effort to
improve production of programs, viewer accessibility, interconnection of the
system, and financial resources.
The task to strengthen community access is complex, involving 12 cable compan-
ies , 17 cities, the school system, the County and current and potential programmers
of community access (Video Alliance) . The priorities of each group may not be
the same. However, success depends upon coordination and cooperation between all
groups. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the County' s effort be based
upon a coalition of interests for the benefit of all .
1
DRAFT 2
GOALS
Contra Costa County goals for community access cable television are:
1 . Widespread use of cable television access channels for community, educa-
tional , and governmental purposes; and
2. Widespread viewing of community access channels.
OBJECTIVES - VIEWER ACCESSIBILITY
Issue - The multiplicity of community access channel numbers in Contra Costa
County (11 different numbers) hampers. the accessibility of community access
countywide by creating_ confusion about the channel number, inhibiting marketing
of programs of multi-city and countywide interest and making it difficult to
publish program guides on community- access.
Facts/Alternatives - Currently, community access channel numbers are chosen by the
individual cable companies. The designation usually reflects technical concerns
and internal company needs for channel lineup. -
The only guidance in the current County Ordinance No.82-28 on an optimum or
Countywide channel number is the direction that it be "viewable by all sub-
; scribers," (Section 58-14.006) . Whether or not this language means that all
cable companies, -must have a common community access channel number would be
subject to County Counsel opinion. Of course the Ordinance could be amended to
clearly mandate a common channel number. The previous County cable television
ordinance does not address community access channels in any form.
Televents (East and Central County) and Viacom (Crockett area) are franchised
under the current Ordinance. Seven other franchises will be up for renewal
within the next four years: 1985-Western Cable System (Clyde) ; 1986-Concord TV
Cable, UA Cable (Walnut Creek) , Viacom (South County) , Viacom (East County); and
1988-Bay Cable (Richmond) and Century Cable (San Pablo) .
r
Each of these franchises is part of a larger system franchised by one or more
k cities. Consequently, any mandated action by the County not in conformity with a
.i
City requirement could put a cable company in a difficult position of conflicting
loyalties. Obviously, any action to develop a common community access channel
number would be much more effective with City agreement and support.
For the cable companies and cities to join the County in an effort for a common
community access channel number will depend upon the perception that the advantages
outweigh the disadvantages. While i.t is not possible to anticipate all concerns,
some disadvantages are: viewer identification with the current community access
channel number; technical considerations; and any necessary agreements regarding
use of channel space. Some advantages are: greater community access visibility;
increased ability to inform viewers of programming; and the ability to use
community access to inform citizens of countywide issues and programs (thereby
promoting a sense of community) .
a
3
1
DRAFT 3 1
Recommendation - That the the Board of Supervisors adopt the following position:
Immediate Objective (1 year Designation of a single community
access channel number within Contra Costa County.
Intermediate Objective . (3 years) : Use of the common channel number
by. all cable companies.
These objectives will be accomplished through cooperative agreements between the
County, cities and cable companies. Individual cities will be contacted for
policy support and requested to consider appropriate language as part of their
franchise renewals (as will the County) . Similarly cable companies will be
asked to work together to designate a common channel number and institute the
common 'channel upon adoption of new channel lineups (i .e. , following a rebuild or
other redesignation of channels) .
OBJECTIVES - INTERCONNECTION
Issue - In Contra Costa County today, -it is not possible to simultaneously
cablecast a live program. . Simultaneous cablecast of taped programs is also
technically and logistically difficult.
Facts/Alternatives - Each cable system now operates as a "closed loop" which is
not connected to other cable systems. A cable system receives its access program-
ming from its studio ' at the headend where it is then processed for distribution
via cable to its subscribers. As noted earlier, community access programmers and
cable company production staff "bicycle" tapes from cable company to cable
company.' Besides the disadvantage of not being able to simultaneously cablecast
productions , this system consumes time and resources that could be devoted to
programming.
Interconnection of the cable systems would obviate the current logistical and
technical difficulties of simultaneous cablecasts. Interconnection would link
the separate cable systems by wire or wireless (microwave) . For our County a
microwave link would .be probably technically preferable.
Interconnection could involve a single channel or - multiple channels and have
either a one-way. or two-way capacity. The simplest isystem, a single channel
one-way system.'would permit a simultaneous delivery of a signal to all cable
system headends from a central facility. This is the least-cost type of inter-
connection and has limited flexibility, although it could be quickly established
and expanded incrementally to incorporate two-way capabilities. With a two-way
system, each cable system headend could transmit signals upstream to a central
facility, which could in turn retransmit them to any or al l of the other cable
system headends for distribution to the subscriber. - This would allow for a
program originating from any cable system to be disseminated on a countywide basis
from the originating cable system rather than .the central location. More sophis-
ticated multi-channel two-way interconnections would provide added flexibility
and capacity. However, are not considered in the context of this policy paper.
Interconnection would require technical feasibility studies to determine the most
appropriate linkage system, hardware requirements, and transmission capability of
DRAFT 4
considerations. Agreements and procedures concerning use, administration and
management of the channels would also need to be addressed, with an organiza-
tional structure developed on the operation of the interconnection. And, of
course, funding would need to be made available. The technical and administrative
issues surrounding an interconnected system make this an intermediate (3 to 5
year) possibility for the County.
As an interim measure, there is a current need to improve the distribution of
tapes. Apparently, some tapes of multi-city or countywide interest are not*
being played on all systems simply because the logistical difficulties of bicycling
the tapes from system to system. Consequently, the Video Alliance is developing
a proposal for a centralized repository for tapes located at the Educational
Media Service in Concord. ' As proposed , the facility would house six dubbing
decks , a time-base . corrector and other. equipment necessary to produce multiple
tapes simultaneously. On a weekly basis the tapes would be distributed to the
cable companies for simultaneous showing. With this coordinated system, for the
first time it would, be possible to provide program guides with program descriptions
on community access programs in the countywide paper. Although the County has
not yet received a formal proposal from the Video Alliance the estimated cost for
equipment of this system would be approximately $35,000. The County could
consider contributing to the project and requesting that the cities provide
matching amounts. .
Recommendation '- .That the Board of Supervisors adopt the following position:
Immediate Objective (1 year) Development and operation of a
centralized repository and distribution system for tapes.
Immediate Objective (1 year) : Policy agreement by the cities and cable
companies on the desirability of an interconnected system for community
access channels.
Immediate Objective (1-3 years) : Joint agreement between the cities
and County for the study and development of an interconnected community
access system with dedicated funding for the effort.
- Intermediate Objective (3-5 years) : Development and implementation of
a single channel one-way interconnected community access channel .
Long-term Objective (5-7 years) : Development and implementation of .
two-way interconnected community access.
These objectives will be accomplished through cooperative agreements between the
County, cities and cable companies. The Video Alliance could act as the lead
agency for' the centralized tape repository with seed money ($5000) from the
County. Individual cities will be contacted for policy support on the interconnect
objectives, followed by discussions on the best way to facilitate implementation
of the objectives in a cooperative manner.
DRAFT 5
OBJECTIVES - 'PRODUCTION-OF PROGRAMS
Issue - Currently the County does not have a formal procedure or policy onsupport
for the production of programs by County agencies or by local groups.
Facts/Alternatives - County policy regarding production of programs is contained
within the Cable .Television Ordinance which provides for the establishment and
administration of 'a dedicated Community Service Programming Fund to "foster the
development of community service programming." Subsequently, the Board activated
the fund through contributions from cable companies. Further direction regarding
the fund will be given if the Board adopts the statement of purposes as proposed
by staff. These purposes include the encouragement of and provision of (a )
instruction and training for individuals, groups, entities and agencies interested
in using community service channels; (b) the nondescriminatory employment and
promotion of other opportunities for minorities and women in the cable industry;
(c) public information on the effective use of cable. television community service
channels; (d) production of programs by local groups and .County agencies; and
(e) program distribution systems which increase the accessibility of community
access to the subscriber, community and County.
With this policy in place the-.Board can either set a formal procedure and criteria
for disbursement of funds or continue to consider requests as received.
The advantage of a procedure is that it provides a priority guidance to groups
. and agencies interested in using community access programs..
Many jurisdictions have used community access to inform citizens of governmental
operation and services, providing information on regional issues and communicating
public health and safety information. Some County departments may have already
produced community access programming. However, there is no comprehensive list
of what has been done. Similarly, departments may not realize that the Community
Service Programming Fund may have resources to support programming. An internal
survey of past -programs and programming needs .could resolve this dilemma. Note:
depending upon the volume of County produced programs, it may be desirable to
examine the feasibility of equipment purchase. This is an issue that could be
examined at a later date.
Recommendation.
Immediate Objective (1 year) : Develop and implement procedures and
review criteria for programming grants under the Community Service
Programming 'Fund.
- Immediate Objective (1-3 years) : Develop specific community access
programs by County agencies.
Intermediate Objective (3-5- years) : Assess current and potential
community access programming by County agencies.
Long-Term Objective (5-7 years) : Implement a standard package of
County programs including live transmission of Board of Supervisors
meetings (upon completion of the interconnection) .
DRAFT 6
These objectives can be accomplished internally to the County and require no
'cooperative agreement with other agencies. However, it is recommended the County
work closely with the Video Alliance and cable companies, particularly regarding
programming support for local groups.
OBJECTIVES - FINANCIAL .RESOURCES
Issue - Current financial support for the community access programming fund is
not adequate to achieve the objectives for the production of programs, viewer
accessibility and interconnection of the system discussed in this paper.
Facts/Alternatives - Currently the. County receives approximately $8000 per year
or support of community access. This revenue will decrease next year due to the
incorporation of Orinda.. In any case it is not sufficient to •accomplish the
objectives of this policy paper.
However, a new funding alternative is available to the Board since the adoption
of the Cable. Communications Policy Act -of 1984. The Act permits the County to
receive 5% franchise fee. It is now at 3% plus the contribution to the Community
Service Programming Fund. By law any increase in the franchise fee may be passed
on to the subscriber by the cable company.
The advantages of dedicating the 2% increase franchise fee to community access
are many:
1 . There is a direct relationship between the fee and subscriber benefit;
2. It would not place a burden on General Fund revenue for the effort;
3. It would not divert current use of the franchise fee from other purposes;
4. It would put the County in appreciably improved negotiating position
with the cities and cable companies by affirming the seriousness of the
County' s commitment to community access; and
' 5. Without the use of dedicated funds it will not be possible to accomplish
these objectives.
Since the franchise fee is dependent upon gross revenues of. the cable companies ,
which change over time, it is not possible to precisely estimate revenues from
the 2% franchise fee. In addition, the 2% would be available only upon renewal .
of the franchise , except for Televents (East and Central counties) and Viacom
(Crockett area) -1 This would mean that the support for community access would be
gradually implemented with one new franchise in 1985, four in 1986, and two in
1988. The gradual increase in support for community access would fit very well
with the phased development of' the community access program.
INote: County Counsel has made an initial determination that the franchise fee for
cable companies currently operating under Ordinance No. 82-28 may be increased 5%
at this time. The Board will need to determine if it wishes to increase the fee.
f
DRAFT
In accordance with Ordinance No. 82-28 it is necessary for. the Board to hold a
public hearing to establish the 2% franchise fee (instead. of th*e' 50 cent per
subscriber per year) as the revenue base for the Community Service ;Programming
Fund.
Another alternate way to fund this effort would be a yearly appropriation in
the budget from the General Fund.
Recommendation — That the Board of Supervisors adopt the following position:
- Immediate Objective (1 year) : Establishment of 2% of cable companies
franchise fees as the revenue .base for the Community Service Programming
Fund.
This objective will be accomplished through a public hearing before the Board of
Supervisors. At that time staff will prepare an estimate of future revenues and
expenditures.
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1. Community Access Draft Policy Paper.
2. Cable Television Community Access
3. Cable Television resources
4, Video Alliance efforts endorsed
5. Same as 2 above
6. Community Access Programming Fund
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on April 1&, 1985 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson, Fanden
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Powers
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUPPORTING THE VIDEO ALLIANCE
: IN ITS EFFORTS TOWARD STRENGTHENING, DEVELOPING AND COORDINATING
CABLE TELEVISION RESOURCES IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County supports the concept of community cable tele-
vision and sees value in coordinating on a countywide basis and,
WHEREAS, the County ordinance on cable television makes provision for
implementation of community cable television to unincorporated areas and,
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County received and reviewed the Contra Costa
Foundation for the Arts Consortium/Video Alliance proposal for Contra
Costa County as presented to us by the Contra Costa Alliance for the Arts
on August 22, 1983 and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the aforesaid proposal , Contra Costa County endorsed
the creation of a Video Alliance by granting $3,000. from the Community
Access Trust Fund and,
WHEREAS, by Board Order of November 1, 1983 the following stipulations
were attached to the grant:
1. that additional funds for the project are to be considered only
after an equal amount is received or committed from non-County
sources;
2. that within six months an inventory of community television
resources and potential sources for community television in the
County would be returned;
3. that a thorough planning and organizational process would ' be
conducted with appointed representatives of participating
agencies interested in community access throughout the County;
4. that the project would strive to enhance public information on
community television throughout the County, and would supply the
county with a list of projects being completed with the grant
money; _t
5. that, if the funding permits, those involved in the project will
work to provide a user's guide to community television and video
in Contra Costa County and,
WHEREAS, the Contra Costa Alliance for the Arts has secured non-County
funding in the amount of $11,878, for the purchase o_f video editing
equipment which will enhance the quality and quantity of community access
television in the County and,
WHEREAS, the Video Alliance has published a Video Directory for Contra
Costa County, and has completed distribution of the first 100 copies to
agencies throughout the County and,
WHEREAS, the Video Alliance has undertaken a thorough planning and organi-
zational process involving the appointed representatives of participating
agencies interested in community access throughout the County and,
WHEREAS the Video Alliance has committed itself to publishing a monthly
newsletter, called the VIAduct, which is dedicated to providing information
for and about the video community to interested individuals throughout the
County and,
WHEREAS, the Video Alliance has established the basic agreement for a
network of Cable Operators in Contra Costa County, and has proposed that
it should be called the Open Door Network, whose purpose is to provide a
uniform community access program package to all participating, operators
and to provide program content information to all publishers of 7V .Logs in
the print media and,
WHEREAS, the Video Alliance has determined a procedure whereby its video
editing system can be used to enhance video training workshops as well as
providing a low-cosi editing service to community access program producers
and,
WHEREAS the Video Alliance, having studied the structure and organization
of non-profit corporations in detail for eight months has finally reached
basic agreement on the form and the scope of its own by-laws within that
structure and,
WHEREAS the Video Alliance has begun the countywide distribution of a
user's guide to community television, published by the Foundation for
Community Service Cable Television, entitled "Community Guide to Cable TV,"
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board -of Supervisors of Contra
Costa County supports the Video Alliance in its efforts toward strengthen-
ing, developing, and coordinating television resources in Contra Costa
County and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors welcomes and appreci-
ates Video Alliance review and advice on cable television matters within
Contra Costa County.
1 hereby certify that this Is a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the:;iautes of LNe
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: =���
PHIL SATG tELOR, C!err. of:he Board
CC: Public Works Director of Supervisors and County Administrator
cable TV Administrator
CCAFTA By Deputy
county Administrator ,Y�
i1. Video Alliance efforts supported
2. ' Cable Television resources