CABLE ACCESS ADVISORY COMMISSION
PRESENT: Don Deibert, Bob Granstra,
Jim Huber, Linda Malekadeli
ABSENT: Todd DuBois, Fred Johnson, Roy Green
ALSO PRESENT: Ron Beacom – MCTV, Brandi Pfohl – Secretary
I.
CALL To Order
By
Malekadeli at
II.
APPROVAL Of
April 12,2006 Minutes
Minutes
approved as submitted.
III.
PUBLIC Comments
None
IV.
OLD Business
1. Federal/State Legislation
Beacom
reviewed the status of the Cope bill; it has been passed by the
telecommunications subcommittee. It then
went to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where it also passed. It is now going to the full house;
speculations are it will be voted on in the next week. A Senate version has been introduced, now the
question is whether they can work it out before the summer break or fall election. There will be an update on Friday, May 5 at
the Alliance for Community Media Spring Conference. On the State level, there has been no
movement on the bill, because the Federal Legislation has heated up. If there is a stall on the federal
legislation, it could cause a push on the state level to get it passed.
2. Budget Response Plan
Beacom
reviewed the status of latest budget response.
At a City Council Budget Work Session on Monday, May 1, citizens spoke
in favor of MCTV. Council discussed a
subsidy from the general fund. Council
voted 4-1 in favor of a proposal of providing $106,100 to MCTV to maintain
MCTV’s current level of service for one year.
This gives more time for a “Friends” group to look for alternative
funding sources and to see what may happen with the legislation. Final budget approval by Council is scheduled
for May 22.
V.
Malekadeli
reviewed the subcommittee’s report (agenda packet) on possible alternative
funding for MCTV, and creating a Friends of MCTV, similar to the Friends of the
Library. Malekadeli stated that the
Friends of MCTV would not have to file under their own 501c(3), the City of
Midland already has one, and the Friends of MCTV can fall under that, even
though the Friends of the Library were under their own. Beacom stated that the Friends of the Library
have been around a long time and is not sure why they chose to become a
501c(3). He also reiterated that the
initial goal of the Friends of MCTV is to raise $50,000 to cover half of the
cost of equipment being replaced in 2008-09, and not for administration
costs.
On
the idea of holding a telethon, Beacom has not gotten any word from the city
attorney if this is a possibility.
On
the idea of membership fees, Beacom questioned what would an individual pay
comfortably. If it was a voluntary
payment probably half would pay. Beacom
also stated he did an informal survey on a list serve to find out what other
access stations did. The results
varied. Some stations have a variety of
fees in membership and training workshops, some do not charge anything. Some charge non-resident, while residents pay
nothing. Some membership fees cover all
training.
Malekadeli
stated the message board fees were discussed on messages submitted above and
beyond a certain number per week or month.
Fees
for underwriting were also discussed.
For example a company or individual could underwrite MCTV at a cost of
$300 a day. Beacom stated that a sales
staff would be needed to solicit underwriters.
Malekadeli
stated that they discussed the possibility of City matching funds. If Friends of MCTV raised $50,000, the City
could match the $50,000. Sustainability
also needs to be addressed. Beacom
stated we could get the $106,100 needed for the next year, but will be back at
this point one year from now looking for more.
Deibert
asked where Council was now in the budget process. Beacom stated that there is a meeting on May
8, where public comments will be taken, and then final budget adoption on May
22. Deibert asked about MCTV’s current
budget response. Beacom stated that the
$106,100 for the next year would have to be revised. Deibert stated that the Commission needed to
support City Council’s proposed funding for the next year and to forward them
the ideas discussed for additional funding sources.
Malekadeli
asked for any comments on the subcommittee’s report or anything else from the
public.
Judy
Kuehl, 1204 Marriet Court, encouraged the Commission to support the City
Council’s proposal of funding MCTV with a formal resolution. Also stated, that after speaking to many
individuals there is interest on her part and others in helping to find
alternative sources of money.
Jim
Malek, 3701 Westbrier, agrees with Judy in her recommendation for formal support
from the Commission to City Council.
Also he stated that in the past this Commission has gone along with all
budget proposals submitted to City Council and he was disappointed in this
because not all Commission members would be in support, then turn around and
vote in support anyway. The Commission
needs to take a stand now and tell Council to keep MCTV at the same level of
service. He is also concerned with fund
raising and proposing of a Friends of MCTV.
Malek felt the amount of money involved in raising was too much. The Commission needs to send a formal
recommendation on the continued support of City Council in MCTV. Deibert asked Mr. Malek if he is not happy
with fund raising, did he think the money should come from the City’s general
fund? Malek stated yes.
Joan
Most, 712 Buchanan, stated that the Commission needs to encourage City Council
not to abandon MCTV. It’s essential in the art and education forum, and now is
the time to do something to keep it going, not letting it go then say in a few
years wish we would of done more to keep it.
Malekadeli
agreed with the comments, and stated she was one who argued against the budget
last meeting but ended up voting in support of it. She felt it didn’t matter if she voted
against the recommendation. Malekadeli said it
would be a shame to lose MCTV and the Commission needs to stand behind MCTV in
keeping the services as they are.
Granstra
stated that there would be more time to come up with additional funding if
Council does support MCTV with a general fund subsidy. Deibert stated that he is very pleased with
Council’s support of MCTV and that the Commission needs to support them with a
resolution, and, as a Commission, to pick up on the comments of the
people. We need to better communicate to
people on how to use public access and get to people who don’t use it. Huber stated that he was also in favor. Granstra agreed to support.
Deibert
proposed a resolution that the Cable Access Advisory Commission support the
City Council’s proposed supplemental funding from the City’s General Fund in
the amount of $106,100 to support MCTV for the next fiscal year; and that the
Cable Access Advisory Commission is appreciative of the City Council’s
willingness to reach out to the community in support of MCTV. In addition, the Cable Access Advisory
Commission will work with groups within the Midland community to research
additional financial support and further educate the Midland community on the
benefits provided by MCTV
Malekadeli
called for a vote. Resolution passed
unanimously. Beacom suggested that one
or two members of the Commission to be at the City Council meeting, May 8th
to read the resolution. Malekadeli
stated she would be there.
Granstra
questioned if the membership fees suggested would be an annual fee and not a
fee per program submitted. Malekadeli
stated as an annual fee. Deibert stated
that the initial groundwork has been started.
Beacom questioned the Commission on next step. Should the Commission create the Friends of
MCTV? Revision of the tape duplication
fees is still to be considered.
The
next scheduled meeting is May 10. Beacom
asked if they wanted to continue with the scheduled meeting, with two seats
vacant or wait and have a meeting during the summer. Malekadeli stated that they should stay with
the May 10 meeting. Malekadeli stated
that Nicole Charles from the Midland Area Community Foundation offered for her
or Denise Spencer to come speak in front of the commission. Should that be arranged for the next meeting
or one in near future? Deibert stated
that he didn’t think the City would want the Commission to be the Friends of
MCTV, and felt there are a few things to sort out before Denise comes to speak. Malekadeli stated she would talk about
Midland Foundations endowment or special funds, not actual fund raising. Beacom suggested breaking it down, revising
tape duplication fees, and discussing membership fees. He suggested that a couple of Commission
members could work with MCTV access users to start the Friends of MCTV. Malekadeli and Granstra stated that they
could continue as a subcommittee to form Friends of MCTV. Deibert suggested that someone could work
with MCTV staff in putting together a proposed agenda in steps to get started
on alternative funding, and then bring it to the Commission as a whole for
approval. Malekadeli and Granstra stated
they would work with Beacom to set up an agenda. Malekadeli stated she would get in touch with
the Friends of Library to find out why they chose to be under their own
501c(3).
VI.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Beacom
stated the ACM Spring Conference, begins this coming
2. Malekadeli
called for volunteers in the community to serve on the Cable Access Advisory
Commission, and to help find ways to keep MCTV at current service.
3. Beacom read
DuBois resignation letter.
VII.
ADJOURNMENT –
Next meeting,
Granstra moved to adjourn. Deibert seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:59pm.
Respectfully
submitted
Brandi
Pfohl
Secretary