HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - April 13, 2010 B-02 SMAGENDA ITEM e) 2
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C TY OF LODI<IFOR�
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Update on Local Video Production
MEETING DATE: April 13, 2010
PREPARED BY: Communications Specialist
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: On November 18,2009, in response to cable companies exercising
their rightto operate in Lodi under a State -issued video franchise
rather than negotiating terms with the City, the City Council adopted
a local video franchise ordinance. The new ordinance, in part, established a fee to replace some of the
financial support lost when Comcast's local franchise expired.
This new 1 percent fee on cable television bills is expected to generate $85,000 in Fiscal Year 2010/11 .
Only a nominal amount has been collected in FY 2009/10 from AT&T. We expect approximately $20,000
from Comcast with its May franchise payment. According to the Digital Infrastructure and Video
Competition Act of 2006, this revenue may only be spent on capital items related to the production of
local video broadcasts.
Staff has taken preliminary steps toward putting broadcasts of City Council meetings and other City
programming on AT&T's U -Verse system. Information Systems staff last month visited Walnut Creek,
which recently began broadcasting on U -Verse after years with Comcast and its predecessors, to learn
from its experience.
Based on the visit to Walnut Creek and other research, staff has concluded the equipment needed to
efficiently meetAT&T's production requirements will cost roughly $15,000. Without a key piece of
equipment costing approximately $10,000, satisfying AT&T's video requirementswould be overly time-
consuming.
With that information, staff desires feedback from the City Council as to what DIVCA fee -funded project
should take funding and staff priority. Should it be:
■ Putting City Council and other Lodi government information on AT&T U -Verse as soon as
possible?
■ Preparing a requestfor proposalfor the purchase and installation of a new sound system within
the Carnegie Forum that will enhance the quality of broadcast audio?
■ Some other video -related capital project?
In the absence of City Council comments, staff will continue discussions with AT&T and work toward
including City Council and other Lodi government information on the U -Verse system.
APPROVED: --Z
Bla r , City Manager
FISCAL IMPACT: The City projects new revenue of approximately $20,000 in FY 2009/10 and
$85,000 in FY 2010/11.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Roughly $21,125 per quarter beginning in May 2010.
J&-dah Ayers, Deputy City MO geNlntemal Se rvices Director
Local video production options
We're getting the money, so now what?
Lodi City Council
April 13, 2010
DIVCA fee
• Went into effect Dec. 19, 2009
• Received initial check from AT&T
• Expect roughly $20,,000 in May from
Comcast
• Budgeting $85,000 a year for FY 2010/11
• Video companies providing no other
support
DIVCA fee
• Is there anybody out there?
• One-third of respondents in 2007 Citizens
Survey reported watching local meetings
DIVCA fee
What do we sp end it on?
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Ilk
LN a'0
DIVCA fee
• AT&T U -Verse?
• Equipment roughly $15,,000
• Leightronix system a must
• Will allow U -Verse subscribers to watch
City Council meetings, other City -
generated programming
DIVCA fee
• Comcast upgrades?
• Power supply recently failed,, no li
• Other equipment old, outdated
9 .
ve video
DIVCA fee
• Carnegie Forum audio?
• Need audio for broadcasts
• 21 -year-old system difficult to repair
• Circuit boards eroding
• Replacement and new
equipment will cost
roughly $85,000,, or a
year's worth of DIVCA
fees
.n
4 4
5�
' ' rJ •I � - �ti
DIVCA fee
• Hutchins Street Square?
• Install camera and related equipment
• Install equipment u i ment needed to send
audio/video signal I to Ca ne ie for
9 9
transmittal -
• Local studio?
==
DIVCA fee
• What should we take on first?
• Pay as you go?
• Other projects?