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5.3. SR 01-27-2003TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Item ~ 5.3. MEMORANDUM Mayor and City Council Kristin M. Thomas, Government Access Cable Producer January 23, 2003 Assistant Cable Producer Position The 2003 Budget includes monies to hire a full-time Assistant Cable Producer. Due to possible cuts in Local Government Aid (LGA) from the state, it is possible that this position would not be filled until mid-2003, if at all. CURRENT STATUS OF ERtV CABLE CHANNEL 12 WITH ONE EMPLOYEE: · Bare maintenance of programming (meetings, Crime Time) · No new programming · Bare maintenance of Bulletin Board OPTIONS: The following table offers a comparison between three options for the Assistant Cable Producer. The options range from hiring a full-time person to not fdling the position. #2 Hire a part-time #1 Assistant with full-time Hire a full-time position skills (25 #3 Option Assistant hrs/wk) Do not hire an Assistant Cost per Month $2,957.00 $1,516.00 Six Month Cost $17,742.00 $9,096.00 Yearly Cost $35,483.00 $18,192.00 Meetings Live/Taped 6-8 per month * 6-8 per month * 4 per month ** Crime Time (2/ruth), Fire Crime Time (2/mth), Fire Chiefs Corner (l/mth), Chief's Corner (1/mth), The McPherson Report The McPherson Report (l/ruth), Klinzing (l/mth), Klinzin9 Thoughts, the Mayor's Crime Time (l/month), Thoughts, the Mayo~s Show (l/mth) Wouldbeon Fire Chief's Corner Show(1/mth) Wouldbeon 'theairl- l f/2weeksafter (1/quarter) Wouldbeonthe Shows Produced the air 2 -3 days after taping taping air I-2 weeks after taping The Bulletin Board would ;The Bulletin Board would have several new pages have several new pages each week and promote each week and promote :as many City Rec, as many City Rec, Seniors, & Library Seniors, & Library programs/Community programs/Community The Bulletin Board would Other Benefits Events as possible Events as possible have basic information Free programming & Free programming & Free programming & stock programs would stock programs would stock programs would change out every 1 -2 change out every 2 - 3 change out every 3 - 5 weeks weeks weeks After remodeling begins - After remodeling begins - creation of a meeting After remodeling begins - creation of a meeting summary show for some it is uncertain how summary show for each of the meetings that would meeting information will meeting that would have have been taped (as time be covered. It will depend been taped allows) on available staff time. Production of numerous features (10 -30 minutes in length) focusing on community events Examples: the Cancer walk, National Night Out, etc. Creation of a news magazine show that would cover stories ~mportant to the community Coverage of community ~ssues as they arise. We would define the concern and convey actions taken ~n repsonse to said concern Examples: RC Rolloff, preparedness for terror attacks, etc. Create programs highlighting city departments Create safety videos Examples: Snowplow Safety, Fireproofing your home, etc. Create short promotional video packages to promote city functions and community events *This would allow us to consider reintroduction of School Board Mtgs **Staff member, Chris Leeseberg, would tape a 5th mtg -Park Rec Comm. Other 4 mtgs are: EDA, 2nd 3rd Mon. City Council, Planning Comm..We will no longer be taping HRA Mtgs CONCLUSION: Since the inception of ERtV Cable Channel 12, the City Council, city staff, and the Sherbume/Wright Counties Cable Commission have been extremely supportive of the channel's growth and development. In ~act, in anticipation of additional staff, the cable commission recently expended $25,000 on new equipment. This is small portion o£ the total $140,000 planned on being spent for upgrades, digital changeover, and new technology within the next few years. My poskion as the government access cable producer has changed over the years. In the beginning, my entire focus was on the development and growth of the access channel. I created several new programs that were incorporated into the channel lineup. Over time, my focus has spread over numerous iob duties. As a part of my job I deal with: unresolved cable customer complaints; problems caused by construction; the system changeover to fiber optic lines and digital service; new equipment and equipment related problems; yearly budget proposals and budget tracking; I attend cable commission and Minnesota Government Access Producers meetings; and complete other administrative duties as necessary. I also have other duties which include: gathering stock footage throughout the year for the annual report video; producing the annual report video; producing short tapes for presentation during meetings; assisting all departments with their audio/visual needs; taking digital photographs for use in the Current, Inside Citywide, the city website, and other city publications; and taping safety training for employees that were unable to attend the session. The time once spent solely on developing the channel now is spread over numerous iob duties that are not directly connected to the channel. Therefore, assistance is necessary for the channel to continue growing. Unfortunately, potential state aid cuts from our city budget have complicated the decision to continue to develop and enhance our government access channd. Three options have been presented to you for discussion to decide the current stares of the assistant cable producer position. Option One would allow for the continued growth and development of our government access channel. To develop the channel and increase its viewership, ERtV needs to create a news program, more features, and concentrate on community events. Community events would need to be timely. Currently, k takes at least one month to get a community event on the channd (if k makes it at all). It is important to get these items on the air one to two weeks after the events are completed. Focus also needs to be put on getting the shows we produce on within 2 to 3 days of taping. Currently, it takes at least a week, and many times longer, to get the new information on the air. Option Two would remm our channel to its status prior to the resignation of our last cable assistant. It has been difficult in the past to find and keep a person technically and creatively qualified in a part-time position. However, if we were able to locate and hire such a candidate, he/she would be able to help in the production of the meeting summary program and assist in creating stock programs or community event programs when remodeling begins. Option Three would bring us back to our core programming. Focus would be made on taping meetings, maintaining the bulletin board, and producing a very limited amount of shows. Audio/Visual assistance to departments would be limited.