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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPTEMBER 26,1995 I I I 37:0275 C)I/,}. ,,) 0'1 ~ G '16 e.t:. CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE T APE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA and the ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (STUDY SESSION) SEPTEMBER 26, 1995 The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting (Study Session) on Tuesday, September 26, 1995, at 5:30 p.m. in the Arcadia City Hall Council Chambers. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Chang. Kuhn, Ulrich, Young. and Lojeski ABSENT: None SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None. TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL No one wished to address the Council. REPORT AND DISCUSSION OF CABLE TELEVISION ISSUES o~/().::,o In 1978, the City entered into an agreement with Teleprompter to provide cable services to the entire foothill area of the community. Some lime later the City entered into a ten (10) year franchise agreement with Group W which was amended in 1986 when Daniels and Assodates look over the operation of the cable system. In 1988, Daniels was bought out by United Artists, and eventually, United Artists merged with Tele- communications, Inc. (TCI), the City's current cable television operator. In June 1995, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5798 which extended the franchise agreement two (2) yelllS. The expiration date of the current contract is July 5, 1997. The City Manager slated that the purpose of this meeting was to give an update on cable-related issues. He noted there are approximately 20,000 households in the incorporated area of the City of Arcadia, 13,000 of which are subsa'ibers to cable television. John Risk of Communications Support Group noted that there will be a public meeting tomorrow night for the purpose of taking input from members of the community concerning their perception of the service being provided by the cable company, TCI, as far as quality, customer service, choice of programming. and future needs. Mr. Risk explained that the renewal process to negotiate a new franchise agreement with TCI takes three yelllS from start to finish. Holding a public hearing is one of the 1/11/11 3i:0276 requirements which the federal government adopted in 1992 in order to standardize the way in which franchise agreements are renewed. Mr. Risk went over Exhibit A of the staff report, explaining what has been done to date I and what will be coming up in the future with regard to the franchise renewal process, which began on February 22, 1994, with discussion at a City Council meeting. On March 1, 1994, the City retained a legal/technical consultant, Communications Support Group (CSG). From May 1, 1994 to December 7, 1994, CSG did a comprehensive compliance audit of TCI with every measurable performance item within the franchise agreement. There were 16 items which required further review, all of which were satisfied, and TCI is now operating in compliance with the franchise agreement. The needs assessment phase of the process, January 1 through February 28, 1995, included a public opinion survey analyzed by CSG. From the survey it was learned that 48,. of respondents experienced cable outages, and 51,. felt that technical quality was an issue. Mr. Risk explained that the cable system was built several years ago and probably is in need of rebuilding to state-of-the art technology. He noted that TCI is the largest cable company in the United States-possibly the world, and provided some background information about the company. Next in the renewal process is the public opinion community meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening. It is hoped that residents will come forward to give ideas of their needs. Some of the future services specified on the above-mentioned survey included movies on demand; information services brought to the home, such as access to the Internet or news networks; and an interactive 1V guide (scanning a 1V guide on the screen and choosing a desired channel). Mr. Risk noted that problematic areas on the survey, such as reception and picture quality, could be remedied with a new cable system, which would bring a higher quality of service. After the public meeting, CSG will develop a renewal application form that will be sent I to TCI requesting that they submit a proposal to the City to address the public needs as demonstrated, and also to address the financial and technical resources they are gOlng to bring into the Arcadia system, and that they submit an RFP to perform services during the next franchise agreement period. The RFP will be released to TCI In February 1996. It should be received by the City in May of 1996, at wlJich time CSG will review it. Franchise negotiations are scheduled to begin in August of1996. Mayor Lojeski commented that this HRequest for ProposalH is unusual in that rCI IS the only cable company in town. Mr. Risk explained that TCI has the right of first refus.U-d right of renewal to the franchise unless the City can establish that the cable company IS not worthy of renewal. The franchise, however, is a non-exclusive franchise, and It may be sent to any other cable company. It has been found, however, that cities which have looked at having two cable franchises have concluded that it is not feasible or practical. The Community Relations Officer reported that Channel 20 is the City's government access channel which telecasts the California legislature meetings, City COUIlo."lI meetings, and the Community Bulletin Board. She stated that staff is aware that gellltlg information to the community is a high priority with the City Council, and expanding Channel 20 to include other features is another step to accomplish this goal anJ hopefully to add mOre viewers. However, there are limitations as to how Channel 20 may be expanded due to the fact that the City has no real production facility, no mo","y budgeted for programming expansion, and no staff to produce the programs. For U- reasons, staff believes that providing informational videos for broadcast over Charuwl I 1/11/11 I j -;: UL j I I 20 would be a way of educating and informing the community at little or no cost. Staff is requesting direction from the Council to proceed in that direction. Mayor Lojeski asked why it is that other dties produce and air cable programs of local interest to their communities and Arcadia does not. The City Manager replied that the City has not allocated funds for that purpose, although there has been talk in the past regarding a studio and equipment. Mayor Lojeski thought it is time to work together with the School District and to utilize the resources of the senior dtizens to bring various kinds of information to the community via cable channel 20. I C. Earl Davis of the Arcadia Unified School District expressed his gratitude to the City, on behalf of the School District, for seeking the District's active partidpation and partnership in the process of developing an enhanced media capability to serve the community. He stated that Arcadia High School does have a television production location; however, the studio and its equipment were installed in 1965 and are in need of upgrading. The School District would welcome the opportunity to work with the City to provide a location for programming and to upgrade its existing facility. The District would be interested in exploring programs which relate to student activities at all grade levels: athletic events, music productions, college guidance, homework hotline, preschool reading, intercultural information, parent programs, and others. 1be District has committed approximately $1,500,000 of its bond money toward the infrastructure, to run fiberoptic cable to every classroom and every administrative area throughout the School District. There is also interest in having mobile capability; the District would be willing to provide a van if it could be equipped for remote programming. Although additional staffing will be needed, perhaps that could be explored with the City. Mr. Davis stated that a 12-foot satellite dish has recently been installed directly behind the District office in order to receive the Los Angeles County Educational Timesharing Network and other educational programming that is available, and to integrate it into classroom curriculum. 1be District would also like to explore with TO the data transfer capability that would enable the linking together of school sites. 1be City Manager stated that between the City and School District there is a lot of potential for cable programming. Although there is no money for a full-time cable person, much can be accomplished by allocation of resources of present City staff in coordination with the District. One of the City's goals is to work with the District to renovate the facility, find funds for new equipment, and use the District's equipment and personnel to produce programs. The City Manager commented that, rather than having a duplicate studio for City and District, there should be one government process. Mayor Lojeski noted that Santa Anita Race Track has a studio on site which is rarely used. The City Manager commented that although this is a fantastic studio, the track management would probably not allow students to use that facility for their productions. 1bey might allow professionals to come in. but this would be costly. Staff has had some discussion with race track personnel, but that is all. Mr. Risk stated that in the franchise renewal, the City will be negotiating facilities for the School District to upgrade its current production facility. In exchange, the City could make it a condition that the District would allocate support of the City's programming needs. School District students would produce City programs. Mr. Risk noted that, ultimately, the cable subscriber will pay for whatever improvements are made. In the future, the cable company may itemize on its bills the amount of money allocated toward local programming and toward the studio facility at the School District. I 1/11/11 I 37:0278 Discussion continued. In reply to a question by Councilmember Chang. Mr. Risk slated that the School District has been asked to document its video resources and its need for equipment in detail. This need will then become part of the City of Arcadia's I community needs, which then gets negotiated with TCl. It is not uncommon to have an equipment list attached to the franchise agreement, which TCI is obligated to either purchase or fund. Juan Herrera, Jr., General Manager of TCI, stated in part, that he has the results of a scientific survey conducted by TCI. It addresses many of the issues that will be reviewed in the meeting tomorrow. TCI is a big company, and a large amount of the money it receives is put back into the communities, back into capital, and back into producing programs. Mr. Herrera gave some additional information about TCI and its cable operations. He noted that TCI welcomes competition. There is not much competition between cable companies, however, because the rate of return does not always make up for the costs of setting up side-by-side service. Since TCI took over the cable system in Arcadia, there has been a 10%. increase in subscribers, and a 5%. increase in the last two years to a current total of 14,400 subscribers. Mayor Lojeski thought it would be interesting to know how many cable subscribers are located north of. versus south of, Huntington Drive. Mr. Herrera stated that TCI will look at the needs of subscribers in various areas, in an effort to provide the types of services they desire. Councilmember Ulrich asked about the new rates which go into effect on October 1, 1995, and how they compare with surrounding cities. Mr. Herrera did not know, but offered to obtain the information. Federal Communications Commission rules which allow cable companies to submit rate changes once per quarter are being changed to once per year. Mr. Risk explained that telecommunications bills currently in Congress . would not strip city governments of their ability to regulate basic cable rates. The City of Arcadia's rates are lower than some charged elsewhere because of the regulatory resolutions adopted by the City Council. The City Manager commented that, for this fiscal year, present City staff time will have to be reallocated in order to expand the opportunities for cable use, and work with the School District to see what they can do. More could be accomplished in the future if money could be found for a half-time position, to be staffed by a person with the skills to handle cable programming. Mr. Risk noted that most cities which have invested in community programming are taking a share of their 5%. franchise fee and dedicating it in some way to supporting staff or outside contract resources to generate programs. The City Manager stated that the City's franchise fee has been put into the General Fund, and that this year's budget was balanced less $25,000. However, If it is Council's consensus, money can be found and costs can be explored. Mr. Risk stated that in the future, any contribution that is made to public or education government access by TCI can be represented by TCI as a franchise fee, which means they can credit or reduce or debit the franchise fee in the 5%. net amount they pay to support your program. The City Manager suggested that staff will work with Mr. Herrera and Mr. Risk. and come back with some alternative programs of different costs for Council to choose from. It was MOVED by Mayor Pro tern Kuhn, seconded by Councilmember Ulrich and carried to DIRECT staff to continue with the franchise renewal process as set forth in the timeline included in the September 26, 1995 staff report; APPROVE staff to proceed with the expansion of the City's government access Channel 20 as indicated; and DIRECT staff to pursue specific discussions with Arcadia Unified School District as to their participation in the franchise renewal process. 1/11/11 t I I I I I 37:0279 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 5880 ELECI1NG A CANDIDATE FOR A SEAT ON THE SAN GABRIEL BASIN WATER QUALITY AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECfORS (CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 19, 1995, MEETING) RESO. 5880 Consideration and election of one of the nominated candidates to a vacant seat on the (Continued San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority Board of Directors and consideration of to 10-3-95) Resolution No. 5880: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, CASTING ITS VOTES FOR COUNCILMEMBER 01 ~O- cil f} TO REPRESENT ClTlES WITH PRESCRIPTIVE PUMPING RIGHTS ON THE BOARD OF THE SAN GABRIEL BASIN WATER QUALITY AUTHORITY." Mayor Lojeski requested further discussion on the matter of electing a representative to the Water Quality Authority Board of Directors to represent cities with pumping rights. This election became necessary due to the resignation from the Board of former Arcadia City Coundlmember Bob Margett upon his election to the State Assembly. The candidates are: Mary Young, Arcadia; Tom Adams, Monrovia; Maria Avila, EI Monte; Larry Glenn, Glendora; and Lois Shade, Glendora. Mayor Lojeski stated that Tom Adams of Monrovia has withdrawn his name from nomination and has asked his City Council to support Larry Glenn of Glendora for the position. The cities with pumping rights and the number of their votes are: Arcadia, 5; Alhambra, 8; Azusa, 4; Covina, 4; EI Monte, 11; Glendora, 5; Industry, 1; Irwin dale, 1; Monrovia, 4; Monterey Park, 6; South Pasadena, 2; and Whittier, 8. Mayor Lojeski would like to determine how best to cast the City's five votes so as to elect the person who will best represent the City's interests. The Water Manager stated it was his understanding that the votes were split, which could be in Coundlmember Young's favor. Council discussed the nominees and which candidate each city might support. It was not possible at this time to determine who might receive a majority of votes. The only way would be to delay voting until the next Council meeting in order to gather information from other cities as to how they have voted. Mayor Lojeski directed staff to place on the agenda for the Council meeting of October 3 the adoption of Resolution No. 5880 to elect a representative to the Water Quality Authority Board. ADJOURNMENT (Oct.3,1995 7 p.m.) At 7:15 p.m. the Adjourned Regular Meeting (Study Session) ADJOURNED to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 3,1995, in the Council Chambers for a Regular Meeting to conduct the business of the City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency and any Oosed Session necessary to discuss personneL litigation matters, and evaluation of-properties. ATTEST: 1/11/11 I