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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 02-11 CC MINBook 81/Page 32 2/ 11 /99 MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 11, 1999 The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of National City was called to order at 3:01 p.m. by Mayor Waters. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present: Beauchamp, Inzunza, Morrison, Soto, Waters. Administrative officials present: Dalla, Desrochers, Hradecky, McCabe, Morse, Williams. CIVIC CENTER/MAINT & REPAIRS/ADMIN (1101-2-1) 1. Consideration of Cablecasting of City Council Meetings. Assistant City Manager Park Morse introduced D'Andra La Pierre from Le Pierre Communications, who was retained by the City to provide consulting services and advise on the issue of cablecasting. D'Andra La Pierre, using slides, handouts and videotape, followed a prepared outline and presented information covering the following areas: A. Overview of Cable Issues 1. Franchise Agreements a) Cable franchise agreement provisions; no specific channel/coverage requirement b) Franchise extensions c) Local grants negotiated in franchise renewals Book 81/Page 33 2/ 11 /99 CIVIC CENTER/MAINT & REPAIRS/ADMIN (continued) 2. Government Access Channels a) Live meetings and news conferences b) Replayed meetings c) Electronic bulletin board d) Locally produced programs and PSAs e) Talk shows and interview programs f) Outside source programs 3. City Council Meeting Coverage a) Opportunity for citizen participation b) Explanations of "gavel -to -gavel coverage," "live," and "live -to -tape" terminology c) Brief City Council meeting videotape examples B. City Cable Survey Highlights 1 Equipment a) City -owned equipment vs. contractor: there is a split between City -owned and contractor owned. b) Remote cameras vs. tripods with operators: most cities utilize remote -control cameras. c) Number of cameras in chambers: most cities have three or four cameras in Chamber. d) Quality and budget differences: the high end purchase was $250,000 by the City of San Diego; the low end was $35,000 by the City of Del Mar. 2. Production Crew a) Cable company vs. city staff: there is a split between city staff and contractor produced. b) Number of production crew members: most cities utilize two or three crew per meeting. The two largest jurisdictions use four or more crew per meeting. Annual production costs range from $9,000 to $29,000. Book 81/Page 34 2/11/99 CIVIC CENTER/MAINT & REPAIRS/ADMIN (continued) 3. Live vs. Tape -delay a) Technical considerations: two cities have live coverage. Three cities have tape -delayed coverage only and four cities have both live and replayed coverage. b) Pros and cons of live coverage c) Option of meeting replays 4. Photographs of City Production Facilities a) City of Encinitas b) City of San Diego c) City of La Mesa C. Logistics 1. Cable Company Issues a) Cox Cable and local Government Access b) Interconnection between Cox and National City Cable c) Explanation of zoning to National City residents d) Review channel availability for meeting coverage e) Technical standards and responsibilities to subscribers f) Cable system penetration rates/potential audience 2. Process of Camera System Project a) Needs assessment: Determine City's requirements and expected outcomes; Assess Chamber site for control room and camera locations. b) RFP development and issuance: Conduct research on required video production equipment; develop a Request for Proposals document. c) Evaluation of responses: Create RFP evaluation criteria and rating sheets; Review and evaluate proposals and recommend vendor. F Book 81/Page 35 2/ 11 /99 CIVIC CENTER/MAINT & REPAIRS/ADMIN (continued) d) Selection of vendor: Seek City Council approval of recommended vendor; Negotiate an agreement for system purchase and installation e) Equipment installation: Facilitate any electrical or A\C building modifications; install video equipment, mounts, conduit, wiring, consoles; conduct technical review and testing of equipment; coordinate signal transmission tests with cable operators. f) Staff acquisition and training: Research options of utilizing interns, students, contractors; develop job specifications, recruit and interview applicants; train crew on specifics of production equipment; provide training on procedures for taping public meetings. 3. Policy Issues a) Sampling of issues applicable to National City b) Closed captioning issue 4. Televising of National City Meetings a) Location of meetings/portable equipment option b) City Council workshops c) Community Development Commission d) Planning Commission e) State of City Address f) Board and Commission meetings D. Equipment 1. Camera System a) Tripods vs. remote: ADA, seating, esthetics, set-up b) Number of cameras necessary Book 81/Page 36 2/11/99 CIVIC CENTER/MAINT & REPAIRS/ADMIN (continued) c) Locations of cameras d) Typical equipment list; specifics in RFP: • Four 3-CCD (3 chip) color cameras with lenses • Four camera control units (CCUs) • Pan/tilt system, including heads and joystick control panel • Pan/tilt camera mounts and wall mount brackets • Two S-VHS Videotape Recorder/Players • Character Generator with graphics software, PC and commuter color monitor • Video switcher/special effects generator • Various color monitors: preview and program; presentation; CG preview; air -check • Four monochrome monitors (for cameras) Audio mixer Waveform monitor and Vectorscope • Monitor speakers for control room • Console and rack mounts to house equipment • Lighting for Chamber Playback system Graphics projection system e) 0 g) Low -end vs. high -end equipment Initial costs: equipment, tax, installation Ongoing costs: staff, videotape stock, maintenance 2. Videotape Playback System a) Stand alone system, independent of meeting coverage b) Advantages of playback equipment c) Costs of typical system d) Staffing requirements e) Interim option of manual playback Book 81/Page 37 2/11/99 CIVIC CENTER/MAINT & REPAIRS/ADMIN (continued) 3. City Bulletin Board a) Stand-alone system, independent of meeting coverage b) Purpose and benefit to City c) Examples of information presented d) Types of systems, costs, options e) Brief videotape of City of Poway bulletin board 4. Quality Issues a) Production quality a reflection on City b) Equipment and staff determine quality of production c) Back-up plans for staff and equipment essential E. Personnel 1. Production Requirements a) Required number of crew and responsibilities b) Staff options: employees, contract, students, volunteers c) Quality issues; importance of reliability; crew back-up d) Results if immature, unreliable, inexperienced staff 2. Collaboration with Local Educational Institutions a) National City Adult School b) San Diego State University c) Southwestern College F. Facilities 1. Production Control Room a) Separate room; typical space needs; console size b) Electrical and air conditioning requirements c) Potential locations 2. Chamber Lighting a) Importance of proper lighting for video b) Videssence lighting system vs. studio lighting c) Low -light camera options Book 81/Page 38 2/ 11 /99 CIVIC CENTER/MAINT & REPAIRS/ADMIN (continued) During and after the presentation, Ms La Pierre answered questions t'rom the Council. Extensive discussion ensued regarding, the anticipated capital costs in the range of $70,000 to $100,000 and the unknown ongoing operational costs of cablecasting City Council meetings. The general consensus was that before the matter could be considered further, it would be necessary to have firm costs for the various options discussed. PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS --None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Beauchamp, seconded by lnzunza, the meeting be adjourned to the Next Regular City Council Meeting --February 16. 1999--at 3:00 p.m. -- Council Chambers. Civic Center. Carried by unanimous vote. The meeting closed at 5:32 p.m. The foregoing minutes were approved at the Regular Meeting of March 23, 1999. MAYOR CITY OF NATIONAL CITY ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE TAPE-RECORDED. YOU MAY LISTEN TO THE TAPES IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE. COPIES OF THE TAPES MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE CITY CLERK.