CABLE ACCESS ADVISORY COMMISSION

MINUTES OF February 11, 2004

 

PRESENT:    Linda Malekadeli; Norm Neher; Todd DuBois, Roy Green; Bob Granstra

 

ABSENT:       Alex Berehula – unexcused

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Ron Beacom, MCTV; Brandi Rytlewski, Recording Secretary;

         Melissa Barnard, Library Director     

 

 

I.                     Call To Order: By Malekadeli at 7pm.

 

II.                   Approval of December 10, 2003 minutes: Minutes were approved as submitted.

 

III.                  Public Comments:  None

 

IV.               Old Business

1.      Programming on MCTV 15:  Beacom reviewed the issue of placing the overflow of program series on MCTV 15 – Messages.  Beacom also reviewed what the commission voted on at the December 2003 meeting to send to City Council.  Green questioned if this would just reallocate current Midland County produced programs to channel 15 and not delete any programs.  Beacom stated yes.  Granstra motioned to accept recommendation, DuBois seconded.  Barnard stated the City of Midland is not just in Midland County.  Should say City of Midland and Midland County.  Beacom stated it could say submitted by City of Midland or Midland County resident.  Neher motioned to accept new wording.  Granstra seconded.  Motion carried 5 – 0.

 

2.      CAAC Promotional Sub-committee Mtg. Report:  Commissioner Green reviewed the subcommittee report submitted to the Cable Access Commission, to promote awareness of cable access.  (agenda packet or attached).  Malekadeli questioned if the target dates of having the psa’s done will be met because of the renovation.  Beacom stated it will be a challenge, not sure about the April 1 deadline. DuBois motioned to adopt the report.   Granstra seconded.  Motion carried 5 - 0

 

3.      CAAC Vacancy – At Large:  Beacom stated Council has discussed holding off filling vacancies of all boards and commissions until May.  Two current members terms are up, they will be contacted to find out if they are interested in reappointment.

 

4.      Viewer Comments: None

 

V.                 New Business

1.      CAAC Attendance:  Beacom reviewed the question presented at the December meeting about attendance requirement when serving on a board or commission.  Beacom reviewed ordinance and the attendance record of CAAC since July 2002.  (agenda packet or attached).  Malekadeli stated one commission member, Alex Berehula, has been absent all of this fiscal year.  Neher asked if anyone has talked to Berehula.  Malekadeli stated she has tried and left messages. He returned one call but she was unable to reach him.  Green asked what happens to the member.  Beacom stated if required attendances aren’t met, the position is considered vacant. Malekadeli questioned what should CAAC do.  Beacom stated CAAC could send information to  Council and let them decide.  Neher stated we should contact Berehula to find out if he wants to be on the commission.  Granstra stated could staff send a letter. If there’s no  contact, then the commission can make formal action.  Beacom stated staff will try to contact him.   If no success, position will be considered vacant.

 

2.      MCTV Annual Report, 2002-03:  Beacom reviewed MCTV’s annual report submitted to City Council.

 

Beacom asked Neher to discuss the progress of MPS-TV 17.  Neher stated they are having audio problems. Thanks to MCTV staff and Charter who have been working on the problem but haven’t solved it.  Other than that, things have been going well. 

 

Malekadeli discussed two items not on the agenda. There was a suggestion at the last meeting for CAAC to present a special award on an occasional basis. Malekadeli asked if the commission saw the need to add an award to what MCTV already presents at “Honors Night.”  Dubois stated before the commission could do something like that, parameters would have to be set.  Malekadeli questioned whether there was interest to pursue this matter right now.  There was none.

 

Malekadeli stated the second issue was the archiving of programs at MCTV.  Beacom stated MCTV has an informal policy.  More of a staff function to decide what to archive.  The staff will formalize its procedures.  Malekadeli agreed with Beacom, asked if there were other thoughts from commission.  There were none.

 

VI.               Announcements:  Beacom presented the renovation plans for MCTV, to begin the week of February 23.  Hope to be completed by mid-March.  Malekadeli asked if the station will be down at all.  Beacom said on February 19th programming will be down while the replay system is moved.

 

Beacom also presented an article in a national trade magazine about MCTV access user, Edith Doil. He wrote an article about Doil for a special issue focusing on seniors in the

“Community Media Review.”

 

Beacom said MCTV’s Open House will be on April 24 during National Library Week.

 

VII.              Adjournment.  Meeting adjourned at 7:56pm.

 

Next meeting, May 12, 2004, 7pm, City Hall Council Chambers

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

Brandi Rytlewski