Telecommunications Minutes February 8, 2010
North Liberty Telecommunications Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2010
Attendance: Valerie Hoffman, Glen Cox, Katie Colony and Denise Schechinger
Also Present: Telecommunications Director Cheryl Caplinger and Promotion Producer Corinne Lemmage
Absent: Joseph Wagner and Production Coordinator Nick Bergus
Hoffman called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Comments from the public. None
Mediacom Update.
Caplinger stated that Lee Grassley was unable to attend because of the weather. Caplinger said that Mediacom and Sinclair came to an agreement for 2010 and was unsure how fees would be affected. And included in our packet was a copy of the franchise checks.
South Slope Update.
Also included in our packet was a copy of the franchise checks from South Slope.
Telecommunication Goal Discussion.
Caplinger talked about the goals included in our packet. She talked about the first video camp that would be for mostly teenagers to show them how NLTV works and shooting videos. This probably would replace the annual department open house. Caplinger said that they are also working on creating general program descriptions to say what the series is about, rather than the program itself. Hoffman asked about the budget and if they have what they needed. Caplinger said the plan is adequate. That pieces of equipment may not last as long, some of the equipment may last three to five years and tend to be ancient. The plan is to replace the equipment before it breaks and have serious problems. Hoffman asked about the website regarding the short-term goals. Caplinger stated the goal is just to maintain the website. There is still ongoing maintenance and that residents are still getting used to it. Hoffman asked if there were places for feedback. Caplinger stated that there is a comments page available and comments are left up on the page so residents can see previous problems and other comments. Colony stated that she wasn’t aware of the services regarding bringing in tapes and DVDs to the department and they can be transferred and she wanted to know if that was on the website. Caplinger answered that it is located under the description for the Telecommunications department. Schechinger asked for more information regarding the goal to increase community programming. Caplinger said they wanted to know what residents themselves wanted or wanted to see and that the Telecommunications department would help them if needed. Or maybe residents could tell their story through pictures. Currently they are meeting with the Stormwater Board and recycling to see what information they can provide to the public.
Cable Access Policy and Procedure Guideline Review.
Caplinger stated that the goal of the review was to help define them and what is our role to serve the residents of North Liberty – how does our department fit in. Bergus sent a message via text to Caplinger stating he believes the goal of the department and the city is to garner support and understanding for city direction by being as transparent as possible. That means explaining procedure and showing process. Being as transparent sends the message we trust our residents. They will in turn trust us. Caplinger wanted to know what we should cover. Whether it be meetings and work sessions that are not closed to the public. Hoffman asked if there were more meetings that were work sessions and open to the public that were not being taped. Hoffman thinks that if these meetings are open to the public they should be taped for either the NLTV or posted online. She suggested that regarding paragraph C #3 in the procedures that any meeting open to the public should be taped and broadcasted. Colony agreed that people do need that access. Cox also agreed that it should be open to the public. Schechinger agreed also. Caplinger said that we need to know how we fit in with notifications. The agenda for meetings are posted, but not required and minutes are required. Caplinger’s question was if the Telecommunication department was essential to the documentation, or for the record or just an extra information tool. Hoffman said that the Telecommunication department posts to the website about these meetings and we should suggest to council that it should be accessible for the public. Colony agreed. Caplinger said we could make a recommendation to City Council that it’s more than just a courtesy or if we don’t want to cover a meeting what’s the process. Does someone just say don’t cover it or should there be an appeal process or a form that needs to be filled out. Hoffman asked when would that be appropriate not to tape something. Caplinger said that agendas are submitted to the city administration before a meeting. Hoffman said that those should also be submitted to the Telecommunications department. Cox agrees that it should be posted. Caplinger also stated that we should define in our guidelines what gavel to gavel taping would be and thinks that the commissioners should speak to the city council. Caplinger stated another issue was if someone shows up to a meeting with a camera and NLTV wasn’t there does NLTV show it or if they get a tape what do they do with it? Hoffman said we should first see if we can change the procedure regarding all open meetings be taped then we can discuss that issue if needed. Colony said she thinks it would be ok to accept the tape for instance if there was bad weather and NLTV couldn’t make it to the meeting. Colony asked what other communities do. Caplinger said that others do city council meetings, but we do more and by doing more meetings that makes our department unique. Hoffman asked if we need to consider our resources. Caplinger said that we wouldn’t be affected if we do more. But where would the line be. The focus was to cover public meetings and that’s how we started, but we’ve grown. Hoffman stated that the motion could be to change paragraph C #3 under the guidelines to say “All meetings open to the public shall be recorded” instead of “The following public meetings must be recorded gavel to gavel.” Cox wanted to know if we should still tape after the gavel? Colony stated that it would be up to city council and the mayor to decide that and if there should be talk after the gavel. Hoffman wanted to know if there was a gavel at the work sessions. Caplinger said there is a call to order on these, but not sure about the gavel. Caplinger stated that under paragraph C #3 that the North Liberty School Board and the North Liberty Tree and Stormwater Advisory Board have been moved up to the list of meetings that are routinely cablecast. Hoffman moved to approve the motion that the verbiage be changed in the guidelines regarding paragraph C #3. Colony seconded and all agreed. Caplinger stated that the Board of Appeals was missing from the list in paragraph C, but they don’t meet regularly though. Also in that list we do receive the tapes for the Iowa City school district meetings. Caplinger also said that if we decide not to cover a meeting what would be the process. And she stated that all meetings are available online.
Commissioners’ comments.
Colony thanked the Telecommunications department for the goal setting. Cox said he echos that. Schechinger and Hoffman agreed.
Telecommunications staff report.
Caplinger said that the Super Bowl party was well attended. She counted at first 100 attendees and then the 1st quarter she counted 200 attendees. This was provided at no fees to the residents and she wanted to thank all of the business that helped with this. Caplinger said that City Hall’s new location will be for about 3 to 5 years. Caplinger also stated that she really wants residents to say what they want on NLTV.
Approval of January 4, 2010 meeting minutes.
Cox moved to approve the minutes from January, Hoffman seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 1st, 2010.
Colony moved, seconded by Cox to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 pm. Motion passed with all in favor.
