06/05/1996 - C-View Task Force Meeting C-VIEW TELEVISION ADVISORY TASK FORCE
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 5, 1996
Present: Deanna J. Bennett Acting Chair/Task Force Member
James Martin Task Force Member
James Smith Task Force Member
Rich Whitaker Task Force Member
Carrie Huntley Community Outreach Manager
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
Absent: David Campbell Task Force Member
Dan Hamsmith Task Force Member
Carla Soave Task Force Member
The Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 5:12 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes
Member Whitaker moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 9, 1996, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Facility Tour
Community Outreach Manager Carrie Huntley lead a tour of the new C-View television studio facilities in the Municipal Services Building.
ITEM #4 - Schedule
It was noted the voice mail related to the recorded schedule is not working correctly.
Ms. Huntley reported staff is distributing monthly meeting schedules to the Libraries, City Hall brochure rack, City Commission Chambers, and Municipal Services Building. A utility
stuffer is planned. Meetings also are listed on the VBB (video bulletin board). The Tampa Tribune always carries the schedule while the St. Petersburg Times carries it sporadically.
She noted every change, addition, or cancellation cannot be updated except on the VBB and schedule recorded for telephone access. C-View's World Wide Web address was distributed: http://public.lib.
i.clearwater.fl.us/cview/events.html.
Member Martin felt it would be difficult for staff to do a better job with scheduling. He recommended the schedule carry a disclaimer indicating it is printed in advance and may be
canceled, altered, or changed by meeting participants.
Consensus was that discussion of C-View's schedule is closed.
ITEM #5 - Station Publicity
Acting Chair Bennett noted the need for C-View to build public awareness regarding their programming. She recommended addressing rotary clubs and civic organizations and suggested
developing curriculum for schools to use as a tool to teach how government works and its impact on residents. Member Whitaker said the Discovery Channel provides teachers with lesson
plans for use with their shows. He agreed C-View also could provide outlines for this use. Member Martin expressed concern C-View does not appeal to children as it is intended to inform,
not entertain. He felt lesson plans would be difficult to develop. Acting Chair Bennett suggested the lesson plans could be used for occasional assignments. Results could be reviewed.
Member Martin expressed concern students would have difficulty with abstract issues discussed at meetings. Acting Chair Bennett suggested high school students would benefit. Teachers
may be willing to use the programming if they are provided sufficient materials.
Ms. Huntley said most viewers watch C-View for short periods of time when something catches their eye as they channel surf. Tent cards for hotel and motel rooms are being redesigned.
Acting Chair Bennett suggested distributing C-View information at the tourism information centers. She suggested the Chambers of Commerce publicize the station in their packets containing
area information. Ms. Huntley said a C-View brochure is being developed. Acting Chair Bennett suggested the brochure list the types of programming available. Ms. Huntley reported
bumper stickers advertising C-View have been affixed to more than 500 City vehicles. Staff is considering in-house promotions with Time Warner. It was recommended that franchise negotiations
include commercial insertions on cable channels as PSAs (Public Service Announcements). Ms. Huntley indicated no publicity funds to purchase commercial time had been budgeted.
Member Whitaker recommended broadcasting C-View on televisions installed in the lobbies of main City buildings with placards indicating the programming is broadcast by C-View.
ITEM #6 - Ethical Issues
a) Define "Official Government Interest"
Acting Chair Bennett noted C-View's charter requires it to cover government meetings and issues of official government interest. She suggested establishing guidelines. Ms. Huntley
recommended the scope be kept narrow. The school system's programming covers the role and purpose of local education. County related meetings are covered separately. Citizens can
produce public access programming though the cable franchise. If C-View features a new downtown business, she expressed concern other City businesses may demand coverage. She agreed
C-View could do stories featuring the City's redevelopment efforts. Member Smith suggested C-View feature groups of businesses without focusing on individual ones. Member Martin noted
the importance of protecting C-View against conflicts of interest. It was suggested the Chambers and DDB (Downtown Development Board) publicize local and downtown
businesses. Member Martin said limiting C-View's scope is important as competing parties may demand equal access.
b) How to Cover Local Business
Member Whitaker noted one of C-View's roles is to promote the City to outside businesses interested in relocation. Ms. Huntley will provide Task Force members with a tape produced
for the Chambers of Commerce, CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), and Economic Development Department to send to prospective businesses. C-View's main purpose is to broadcast meetings,
not to market the City. The importance of limiting C-View's scope to avoid the appearance that C-View endorses any business was noted. It was suggested staff modify the tape for local
broadcast to explain how the local business climate is good and to encourage relocations here. Ms. Huntley said C-View's award winning video, Clearwater, Florida, One Great Place, continues
to be distributed. Member Whitaker recommended advertising the video's availability on the web page.
The meeting recessed from 6:06 to 6:16 p.m.
ITEM #7 - Funding
Ms. Huntley reported C-View is funded by the General Fund and is not allowed to generate revenue. Departments are not charged for C-View's services. C-View's franchise agreement forbids
them from selling time. Acting Chair Bennett questioned if businesses could sponsor some programs. The differences between government and commercial television were noted.
Consensus was that C-View needs to work within its budget.
ITEM #8 - New Business
It was noted Member Shawn Stafford had accepted a position with C-View TV and resigned from the Task Force.
Member Martin recommended the Task Force consider themselves nonessential and discontinue their meetings. He felt City staff could be better used for other tasks. Member Whitaker
said the Task Force was formed due to a few complaints. He noted either the problems were resolved or they cannot be fixed. He said with a large budget, problems with the cameras and
sound could be addressed. He felt C-View is well run by a dedicated staff who try their best. Member Martin said the Task Force has discovered no "skeletons" in the operation. He
noted C-View is limited by their scope, technical abilities, funding, and staff. He said C-View staff is doing an outstanding job and deserves a grade "A." As all members are not present,
he recommended the Task Force decide at the next meeting if they have resolved the mission assigned by the City Commission. If they have, the following meeting would be the final one.
Acting Chair Bennett suggested at the next meeting, the Task Force discuss a final report that summarizes the issues and provides solutions. Ms. Huntley felt the Task Force has addressed
a number of concerns with the schedule. Staff continues to work on the audio.
Consensus was that C-View does a great job.
The next meeting was scheduled for August 14, 1996, at 5:00 p.m. at the Information Management conference room at the Municipal Services Building.
Consensus was to appoint Member Smith as Acting Chair for the next meeting.
ITEM #9 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Acting Chair
C-View Television Advisory Task Force
Attest:
Board Reporter