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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-9144 - Approving the Government Access Channel Program Policy & Operating GuidelinesRESOLUTION NO. 9144 (2001Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO APPROVING THE GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL PROGRAM POLICY STATEMENT AND OPERATING GUIDELINES FOR THE GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL WHEREAS, the Council adopted Ordinance No. 1238 in 1995 granting a cable franchise which provides for the provision of at least one channel for public, education and government access; and WHEREAS, in 1997 the Council approved a proposed plan for government access that includes the cablecast of Council meetings and directed staff to return with a policy regarding the cablecasting of limited commission meetings, City production of informational videos and the use of the City's cablecast capability by outside organizations; and WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo intends to begin using the government access channel in early 2001; and WHEREAS, a government access channel program statement has been developed by Community Relations Team to define clearly the purpose of the City's government access channel; and WHEREAS, operating guidelines have been prepared in advance of channel implementation in an effort to provide policies and procedures for operating the City's government access channel. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. The Government Access Channel Policy Statement (Exhibit A) is hereby approved, a copy of which is attached hereto and made part of this resolution. SECTION 2. Government Access Channel Operating Guidelines (Exhibit B) are hereby approved, a copy of which is attached hereto and made part of this resolution. SECTION 3. The City Administrative Officer, or designee, is directed to operate the government access channel in accordance with said Policy Statement and the Operating Guidelines. Upon motion of Council Member Marx, seconded by Vice Mayor Ewan, and on the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Marx, Mayor Settle NOES: None ABSENT: None Mulholland, Schwartz, Vice Mayor Ewan and R 9144 O Resolution No. 9144 (2001 Series) Page 2 O The foregoing resolution was adopted this 16th day of January, 2001. APPROVED AS TO FORM: GO• �� p Attorney Resolution No. 9144 EXHIBIT A Page 1 of 2 GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL Program Policy Statement Mission Statement The goal of municipal programming shall be to provide information to all citizens of the City of San Luis Obispo concerning community issues, policies, activities and services to create greater awareness of local government and the local decision - making process. Objectives 1. To make public proceedings and events more accessible to San Luis Obispo residents by providing live, gavel to gavel coverage of City Council and other local government meetings, as opportunities and resources permit. 2. For the convenience of the community, videotape meetings for subsequent replay to insure additional opportunities for viewing. 3. To increase community awareness of City services. 4. To provide more extensive information on key City issues and activities. 5. To promote City sponsored or City co- sponsored special events. 6. To produce and maintain a municipal calendar which shall run at all times, except for when other City programming is scheduled. 7 To act as a source of information during local emergencies.. 8. To offer presentation alternatives to the departments and divisions of the City of San Luis Obispo. C Resolution No. 9144 EXHIBIT A Page 2 oft 9. To improve City services by enhancing and/or standardizing training of City employees through the production of video training tapes. Resolution No. 9144 EXHIBIT B Page 1 of 1 Government Access Channel Operating Guidelines Channel Management The City of San Luis Obispo manages the government access channel and decides which programs will be cablecast on the channel. The City Administrative Officer (hereafter "CAO "), is responsible for the daily management and programming of the channel. Programs produced by the City of SLO will provide specific information about City services, operations and decision making and shall be consistent with the mission statement and objectives outlined in the policy statement. The City's government access channel shall provide direct, non - editorial information to the citizens of SLO concerning their city government. The government access channel is not intended to be a political forum, nor a mechanism for building support for a particular policy, program or issue. Program Content 1) All programming shall be consistent with the City's Government Access Policy Statement (hereafter "Policy Statement'). 2) Programming on the government access channel shall be non - commercial and shall meet all applicable Federal, State and local laws. 3) Eligible programming includes coverage of public meetings, promotion of City and City- sponsored events and services, emergency information, election information programming, public safety information, public service announcements and programming produced by outside sources that is consistent with the Policy Statement and these guidelines. 4) Any City department may suggest or assist in the production of programming for the channel, as resources permit. All programming must be consistent with the Policy Resolution No. 9144 EXHIBIT B Page 2 of 2 Statement and is subject to the approval of the CAO. Departments should budget for costs associated with video production. Any programming prepared or provided by a City department, agency or contract producer may be modified or edited as appropriate for cablecasting. 5) Local political candidate debates may be cablecast provided that the debate is facilitated by an outside, non - partisan and impartial group or organization (League of Women Voters, for example). Debates must be approved in advance of the event by the CAO in accordance with provisions set forth in the Council Policies and Procedures as it relates to use of the Council Chamber. 6) Outside programming consistent with the Policy Statement may be cablecast on the channel. Outside programming must be acquired or sponsored by a City department or agency. All outside programming is subject to approval by the CAO. Outside programming shall not preempt any local programming. 7) Public Service Announcements (PSAs) will be solicited and produced for the channel. PSA topics shall be consistent with the Policy Statement and must be in a format acceptable as defined by the CAO. 8) Promotional announcements for events sponsored by a City department or agency are acceptable for cablecast. 9) Information for the community calendar shall be consistent with the Policy Statement and submitted through a City department or agency in accordance with guidelines established by the CAO. 10) Press conferences held for the purpose of providing information to the public but not for advocating a political position may be cablecast. 11) City sponsored events that have a cost and are open to the general public may be promoted on the channel. Content Restrictions 1) No obscene, indecent, libelous, slanderous, or illegal material are allowed on the channel. 2) No corporate or commercial logos are allowed on the channel. The names of sponsors of a video program or City event may only be shown in the end credits of a program. 3) Programming will contain nothing which is subject to copyright, except where the applicant demonstrates compliance with applicable laws. 4) Except as provided below, programs should contain no commercial matter. "Commercial matter" includes: (a) any advertising material designed to promote the sale of any Resolution No. 9144 EXHIBIT B Page 3 of 3 products or services, including advertising by or on behalf of candidates for public office or relating to ballot measures; (b) any audio or visual reference to any business enterprises, service, or products for which any economic consideration was received by anyone in exchange for the display, announcement and/or reference to such business, enterprise, product or service; or (c) any material used or designed for use to solicit funds, support directly or indirectly any business or enterprise for commercial purposes, or for any political party, candidate for office or ballot measure. 5) Programs will not contain advertisement of or information concerning any lottery, gift enterprise, or similar scheme offering prizes drawn or awarded by means of any such lottery, gift enterprise or scheme. 6) Programming shall be removed from the channel if it contains untimely or incorrect information; and/or it does not meet technical standards requiring a clear audio and video signal. 7) The channel will not be used for the promotion of any elected official, candidate or ballot measure. Specific advertising messages on behalf or opposing any political candidate or measure will not be permitted. The channel is exempt from providing equal opportunities to a candidate for time incumbents spend on the channel when performing the routine duties of their position, including participation at regular and special sessions of the City Council, other public meetings and bonafide news events. 8) Requests for access to the government access channel for the purpose of advocating a personal viewpoint shall be denied. Programming Priorities Programming priorities for the channel are listed below. The CAO may make exceptions to these priorities on a case -by -case basis. 1) Emergency programming involving public safety or health. 2) Programming of or about meetings of City policy - making bodies. 3) Programming of City departments and their services. 4) Programming of state, federal and/or City boards, commissions and authorities and/or agencies that are publicly funded. 5) Programming produced by outside sources that is relevant to local government, which otherwise meets the Policy Statement and these guidelines. Programming Policies 1) Program Ownership. All programming produced by the City, its officers and agents, is property of the City. Programs produced by contract agents of the City become the property of the City and will not be sold or commercially distributed without the written permission of the City. Resolution No. 9144 EXHIBIT B Page 4 of 4 2) Use of Equipment. Use of the City-owned video production equipment and facilities will be limited to the City's contract operator and/or City who have been adequately trained. City- owned equipment will not be used for personal use nor will it be rented or loaned to any firms, organizations, or agencies. 3) Editing. Official public meetings shall not be edited or be subject to editorial comment. Any programming prepared, originated or provided by a City Department may be modified or edited as appropriate by the CAO. Text generated messages may be edited to provide clarity and to maximize use of the character generator. Should human or mechanical error result in the cablecast of incorrect information over the channel, the City and any operations contractor shall not be liable for the inaccuracy of transmitted information. 4) Channel Operating Hours. The channel shall be available to operate 24 -hours per day, seven days per week if appropriate and as resources permit.. 5) Scheduling. Scheduling shall be the responsibility of the CAO, and shall be consistent with the orderly development of diversified programming. Emergency messages affecting the health, safety and general welfare of City residents shall receive highest priority at all times over regularly scheduled programs. Scheduling or programming conflicts will be resolved by the CAO. 6) Program Playback Log. The operator shall keep and maintain a daily log of all programming cablecast on the channel for each playback day. Log information shall include program title, airtime, length of program or other information as deemed appropriate. Retention of the log shall be defined in the City's record retention schedule. 7) Back -up Tapes. The operator shall, whenever possible, make a duplicate tape at the time of the original recording as a back -up. 8) Retention of Tapes. Videotapes shall not be considered an official record of public meetings. Tapes are the property of the City of San Luis Obispo. Tapes shall be retained according to the City's record retention schedule and/or State law. At the end of the scheduled retention time, all tapes will be erased and re -used. 9) Tape Duplication. Requests for copies of tapes must be made in writing pursuant to the Public Records Act and are subject to a charge of $10.00 per tape. 10) Progamming Acquisition and Exchange. Cooperative arrangements and agreements with local educational programmers, broadcasters, cable companies and other production groups may be established for efficient operations and communications. City Council and Planning Commission Meeting Coverage Resolution No. 9144 1) Regular City Council meetings will be cablecast gavel -to- gavel, excluding closed sessions. Special meetings will be cablecast gavel -to- gavel, whenever possible. 2) Regular Planning Commission meetings will be cablecast gavel -to- gavel. Special meetings will be cablecast gavel -to- gavel, whenever possible. 3) Public meeting coverage will not be edited or subject to editorial comment. Editing of technical difficulties is permitted. 4) Coverage will be focused on the officially recognized speaker or on any visual information that may be displayed as part of a presentation. 5) There shall be no reaction shots. 6) A City- operated character generated message may indicate the name of the officially recognized speaker, identification of the matter(s) being considered by the Council/Commission, and the date of the discussion. 7) Public meetings taped for cablecast will be m- cablecast at least once, if possible. 8) Meetings not held in the Council Chamber require special equipment and additional staffing and may be videotaped for later cablecast with the prior approval of the CAO, as resources permit. 9) The Minutes shall remain the official record of the proceedings. City Advisory Bodies, Task Forces and other Public Hearings Coverage will be as resources permit and will generally conform to all of the provisions of live cablecasting of City Council meetings. Coverage may be live, videotaped and aired at a later time: Coverage will be replayed if airtime is available. Public Meetings of Other Government Entities Public meetings held in the Council Chamber by other government entities may be cablecast live or videotaped and aired at a later date if approved in advance of the event by the CAO. Said approval shall conform to the provisions set forth in the Council Policies & Procedures as it relates to the use of the Council Chamber. The City maintains the right to request compensation for costs incurred by the City for coverage of meetings held by other governmental entities. Coverage will be replayed if airtime is available. Resolution No. 9144 EXHIBIT B Page 6 of 6 Use During Emergencies Government use of the channel during emergencies and disasters declared by the Mayor of the City of San Luis Obispo, , has absolute priority over other programming. During such emergencies or disasters, the channel shall be permitted to accept live, taped, charger- generated and audio information from other governmental or non - governmental entities when such announcements are deemed to provide important public information pertaining to the emergency or disaster or other conditions requiring protection of the public health, safety and welfare. Technical Standards All programs submitted or produced for cablecast must meet the following technical standards: 1) Tape format must be' /< inch videocassette, or other format as specified by the operator. 2) Video and audio quality must be acceptable for cablecast transmission, as determined by the operator. Audio must be audible with minimal noise when amplified. 3) Program must be no more than a third generation dub with a minimum of color smearing. Tapes with excessive "drop- outs" or other technical problems will not be accepted. 4) Tapes submitted for cablecast or produced by the City shall be clearly labeled with the following information: a) Title of program b) Name of producer c) Total running time (TRT) in minutes; seconds from fade -up to fade -out. d) Audio channel designation (if applicable) e) Number of segments on each tape (if applicable) 0 Generation of dub if not cablecast master g) Multiple tapes for a single program shall be clearly labeled (ex: Title, Tape # 1 of 3, Tape #2 of 3, etc.) 5) All tapes (with the exception of public meeting coverage) must begin with a title slate and time with no less than 10 seconds of color bars followed by a 10- second countdown and 2 seconds of studio black. 6) Tapes should have no less than 15 seconds of black at the end. 7) All tapes must have consistent control track.