CTAC Minutes

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven
Meeting Date: October 2, 2013

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of the CTAC was held at CTV, Hamden,
Connecticut on October 2, 2013. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy acting secretary.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, (H)

Johnes Ruta, (NH)

Peaches Quinn, (NH)

Joseph Schofield (CTV)

Sharon Codeanne(Comcast)

Chairman Weinstein called the meeting to order at 6:05. A motion was made by Johnes Ruta to accept the minutes of the September 11 meeting. Joe Schofield of CTV pointed out that the minutes as presented failed to accurately reflect the current status of the PROPETIA funds for FY 2013-2014 and FY 2014-2015. Mr. Schofield noted that all of the PROPETIA funds for FY 2013-2014 had been exhausted and that all of the PROPETIA funds for FY 2014-2015 had been repurposed by state lawmakers to help close a projected budget shortfall. Mr. Schofield suggested that the minutes be corrected to reflect the current status of the FY 2014-2015 funds. Mr. Schofield also pointed out that before the 2014-2015 funds had been reappropriated to the General Fund he had been planning to submit a grant proposal on behalf of CTV. Acting Secretary Don Levy indicated that he would correct the minutes of the September 11 meeting to incorporate Mr. Schofield’s corrections. The motion to accept the minutes as amended was made by Mr. Ruta, seconded by Ms. Quinn and passed.

Sharon Coneanne presented the Comcast report. The report reflected two Community Relations initiatives and three marketing changes. The Comcast report indicated that as of November 1, 2013 the reactivation fee for XFINITY TV will increase from $5.00 to $6.00.

George Alexander remarked that he had received a letter from a local Comcast subscriber complaining of being assessed a fee to fix an equipment problem which interrupted his/her service. Ms. Codeanne indicated that Comcast only charges fee to re-establish service if and when the problem was caused by a failure in the customer’s equipment. She indicated she would investigate the specifics which led to this customer’s complaint.

Joe Schofield noted that the CTV staff had produced a live broadcast reporting on the outcome of the recent primary elections in the CTV viewing area. He said the CTV cablecast had been professional and well received and that CTV will also cover the general election on Nov. 5, 2013. The CTAC members informally thanked CTV for
providing an important pubic service by covering these elections. Joe also updated the CTAC members on CTV’s efforts to provide ATT U-Verse customers with CTV-originated programs. Joe pointed out that he hopes that cables are already available to allow ATT customers to receive CTV programming when CTV moves into its new home in January of 2014
The board revisited the discussion regarding the contest CTAC is planning which would provide cash awards to outstanding student-produced video projects. The board will meet at 5:30 on November 6 to discuss each topic.

Chairman Weinstein provided copies of the proposed agenda for the discussion of the proposed CTAC video contest. Treasurer Alexander gave his report indicting that CTAC maintained a balance of $11,712 in its account. He also said that he anticipated the addition of a new Hamden member to the CTAC board to fill a current vacancy.

The October regular meeting of CTAC was adjourned at 7:03.

Respectfully submitted by D. Levy, acting CTAC secretary

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven
Meeting Date: September 11, 2013

Call to order: A Regular meeting of the CTAC was held at CTV, Hamden, Connecticut
on September 11, 2013. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy acting secretary.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH)

George Alexander, Treasurer (H)

Don Levy, (H)

Johnes Ruta, (NH)

Peaches Quinn, (NH)

Joseph Schofield (CTV)

Chairman Weinstein called the meeting to order at 6:05.

Approval of Minutes of August 6, 2013. Motion was made by J. Ruta and seconded by P. Quinn. Motion carried.

Joe Schofield reported that CTV has closed on its new building on Lower State Street in New Haven, adjacent to its old studio. CTV will be hiring a contractor to move equipment and should be ready to begin limited production in January. CTV has accepted the services of a New Haven architectural firm on a pro bono basis. The decision has
been made not to undertake any substantial renovations to the building until after the move is complete in order to better determine what changes to the building will need to be made. The most important decision will be to determine if the studio will be constructed on the first or on the second floor.

J. Schofield indicated that there will be a space in the new building suitable for CTAC to hold its monthly meeting, and he said CTAC is welcome to use the space for its monthly meetings. He also said that he is looking forward to overcoming the technical issues which heretofore have blocked AT&T from carrying all three channels of CTV local
programming on its cable system in the three communities.

D. Levy asked J. Schofield if he had learned whether or not any of the funds set aside from subscriber fees intended to provide grant money for equipment purchases throughout Connecticut to encourage the production of local programming (the PEGPETIA Grant Program) were still available. Schofield said that all of the 2013 funds had been reallocated to cover a projected deficit in the Connecticut General Fund. Schofield indicated that he was working through local elected officials to determine if there would be funds available in the 2014 fiscal year to support a grant request he was planning to submit on behalf of CTV. The fact that there is currently no money for 2013
PEGPETIA grants makes moot the CTAC plan to encourage local applications.

T. Weinstein reminded the members that the CTAC Secretary Jennifer Sacco was absent due to the birth of her healthy baby earlier in the week. D. Levy made a motion to send J.Sacco a token of CTAC’s appreciation of her work over the years by sending a baby gift. A discussion followed as to the administrative appropriateness of such a gift. It was
decided that precedent had been set with CTACs small gifts to acknowledge the passing of former board members. A motion to allocate funds for a gift certificate from Baby Gap was made by D. Levy, seconded by P. Quinn and passed unanimously. P. Quinn indicated that she would purchase the gift card and would send the receipt for Treasurer
George Alexander for reimbursement.

The board revisited the discussion regarding the contest CTAC is planning which would provide cash awards to outstanding student-produced video projects. It was decided that T. Weinstein and P. Quinn would brainstorm to establish a series of issues which need to be addressed prior to making public the news of the CTAC Video Contest. The board will discuss each topic and then vote on whether not to adopt the proposed rule. They will report their progress at the October meeting.

The September CTAC meeting was adourned at 7:04.

Respectfully submitted by D. Levy, acting CTAC secretary

Weds.  August 7, 2013

Present:  

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Jennifer Sacco, H

Tad Weinstein, WH, chair

Peaches Quinn, NH vice-chair

Johnes Ruta, NH

CTV representative not present

Comcast representative not present

Meeting called to order 6:15 p.m.

George moves we approve minutes; Johnes seconds.  June minutes approved.  General discussion of PEGPETIA grants ensued; Johnes raised the question of who administers the funds, particularly if the fund gets raided by the state.   Other members argued this issue did not fall under the purview of our council, specifically.

843 State St. has been purchased by CTV; they hope to relocate in December.

Comcast report given via email.  George raised concern about the move by Comcast to start encrypting television signals so that consumers can no longer access Limited Basic signals from Comcast as of Sept. 17^th without additional (for fee) equipment   This means consumers will have to pay on a regular basis for use of decryption devices for their televisions, an effective rate increase on Limited Basic customers.  Council agreed to ask Sharon for more information about this change.

September meeting will be postponed to Weds. Sept. 11^th, because the 4^th is the start of Rosh Hoshannah.

Jen will put the discussion about the grant decisions to be made in an email. 

Meeting adjourned 7: 03 p.m.

Weds.  June 5, 2013

Present:  

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Jennifer Sacco, H

Tad Weinstein, WH, chair

Peaches Quinn, NH vice-chair

Joe Schofield, CTV

Comcast representative not present

Meeting called to order 6:11 p.m.

May minutes approved by online vote.

CTV report given.   AT&T is still not connected because CTV is month-to-month at their current location, and the landlord does not want the disruption or expense involved with the installation under the parking lot since they do not have a long-term lease. 

The new location for CTV still has some environmental issues that the bank wants a costly process to look into further, which is delaying the process.  Joe believes the concerns will be answered fairly easily, however, and they have new assessments ongoing.  They are hopeful to close within the next month or so.

Comcast sent a written report of their public outreach and channel lineup changes. 

The news release that Don drafted regarding the PEGPETIA grants was reviewed, with some additional clarifications suggested by Joe Schofield about stipulations of the grant program—that programs be aired on CTV, and that the support offered by CTV for grant-seekers is for residents of the three towns served only.  Also, Joe raised the concern that the state may be raiding the PEGPETIA funds (again), so that there is a chance there will be no funds available, anyway.  We will hold off on releasing our press release until we know that the funds are available, which Joe is looking into for us.

George summarized the contents of our mail received.  We received a paper copy of price adjustments sent to the state by Comcast; Peaches suggested that we seek an electronic copy from Sharon so that we can post a link from our website.  A general suggestion was raised that we seek all documentation from Comcast in digital format so that we can post on our website.

We revisited the issue of making grants to schools in the three districts; we had discussed in the past asking students to submit video public service announcements, possibly about the value of public access in a democratic society, or possibly about the value of voting.  We had agreed previously that we would target the public middle schools as eligible schools (though George suggests that we reconsider this).  The PSAs could be aired on CTV.  We will continue our discussion online to firm up our contest specifications.  We need to firm up: which types of schools are eligible, how many prizes to offer and for how much and for what, what format we want to receive the videos in (and length), how many students count as a team, what the subject of the PSAs should be, stipulations around ownership of the content (becomes property of CTV), how we’ll announce the contest, the deadline/timetable, our criteria for judging and when it can be judged.

July meeting will be cancelled because of proximity to the 4^th.

Meeting adjourned 7:13 p.m.

Weds. May 1, 2013

Present:  

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jennifer Sacco, H

Tad Weinstein, WH, chair

Peaches Quinn, NH vice-chair

Joe Schofield, CTV

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast

Meeting called to order 6:10 p.m

Comcast report given.  A few increases for installation and equipment fees will be effective July 1^st.

CTV report given.   AT&T is still not providing a return line to the CTV headquarters.  Also, there is language in the proposed contract with AT&T which CTV is not willing to sign because of concern that it contravenes state law, and CTV still hopes to be able to resolve the problem without resorting to legal action. George has proposed that if the issue cannot be resolved soon, our board could contact PURA with our concerns about the issue being resolved. 

CTV hopes to close this month on a new location.

July meeting will be cancelled because of proximity to the 4^th.

Notifications have been sent to all the mayors, library directors, and superintendents that we have openings  and need new appointees.

Don will draft a press release highlighting the availability of PEGpetia funds from the state.

Meeting adjourned 7:12 p.m.

Weds. April 3, 2013

Present:  

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jennifer Sacco, H

Tad Weinstein, WH, chair

Joe Schofield, CTV

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast

Meeting called to order 6:06 p.m.  February minutes reviewed because March meeting was cancelled due to snow.  Johnes moved to accept the Feb. minutes, Don seconded.  Minutes approved.

Comcast report presented.  Some installation service prices are decreasing slightly.  George mentioned a letter from the State that legacy packages are being phased out, as some customers who had packages that were no longer available to new subscribers had been grandfathered in before, but would be losing their access to those packages.  They would have to buy a package available to the entire public (at a higher price.)

Johnes expressed concern that his Comcast bill had increased by $20/month, due to price increases.  Comcast claims that this is somehow due to competition.

CTV report is that the problems with the new cameras in the studio have a temporary fix, and fix should be permanent after they move, which hopefully will be November or December.

Return line from AT&T still not available to CTV.  There are some issues to be hammered out in the contract, as well as issues pertaining to the broadcast of licensed music outside the 3 towns where CTV is available on Comcast.

George indicated that we had received our $2000 check from Comcast to support our work for the year.

We received a copy of a letter from Joyce Listro (NH BOE), resigning her position on the council.

Motion made that letters will be sent to the mayors with copies to city school superintendents and librarians about the openings on our council. 

Meeting adjourned 7:10 p.m.

Weds. January 2, 2013

Present:  

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jennifer Sacco, H

Tad Weinstein, WH, chair

Joe Schofield, CTV

Meeting called to order 6:05 p.m.

Comcast representative not present, but submitted written report of proposed price increase.  Jen mentioned an article in the Atlantic magazine recently about channel bundling which she said she would send around. 

Minutes from December 2012 meeting were reviewed and amendments suggested regarding notifications already having been sent to former members about de facto resignation from the council by non-attendance.  Discussion of appropriate titles to use for organizations, individuals, and representatives ensued, and amendments will be made to reflect that.

Don moved and Tad seconded that we accept the minutes from the December meeting with the discussed changes.

George moved and Johnes seconded that the mayors be sent letters by Jen indicating the openings on the council due to these withdrawals and reminders of other openings in existence. 

CTV report: CTV is attempting to get an HD-compatible switcher, so that the broadcast picture can be improved. 

We received communication from PURA that CTV can file reports yearly instead of monthly in docket 10-10-08 (docket is not closed).

Wednesday. Dec. 5, 2012  CTAC Meeting 

Present:  

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Peaches Quinn, NH

Johnes Ruta, NH

Tad Weinstein, WH, chair

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast representative (non-voting)

Annual Dinner Meeting at App’s Restaurant, West Haven.

Meeting called to order 6:25 p.m.

George Alexander gave report on  status of N’zinga Shani complaint against CTV: She wants a second weekly hour for her video show “One World,” while CTV offers only one hour per week, according to its Charter. N’zinga has been  communicating directly with PURA and bypassed CTAC from the very beginning. — Discussion takes place about how to best remedy conflict  between N’zinga and CTV.   Tad explains that Sharon Codeanne, Representative of Comcast, had a meeting with both N’zinga and CTV in 2011, but issue of second hour demanded was not agreed, show has Sunday showing, but she also wants a Wednesday showing added. 

From October meeting  (last previous meeting because of November 7 storm meeting cancellation),
Tad reminds us again of the recent passing of Sidney Evans, who frequently attended and taped meetings in 2010 & 2011.  Peaches Quinn proposes  to remember memories of Stuart Arotsky (former CTAC member and Chair who  passed away in 2010)  and to  Sidney Evans for his work and involvement with the CTAC  to defend and enforce the public’s First Amendment rights at Citizen Television.

CTV –  Not attended and report

COMCAST REPORT – Sharon Codeanne

Comcast bought 500 backpacks for students which were donated to Strong Elementary School of New Haven, in order to replace that school’s teachers’ use of zip-lock bags for homework assignments, Elementary classes K thru 6^th grade.  This gift will be announced tomorrow, Dec. 8^th. Kids will also get internet access at reduced subscription rates.

FINANCIAL REPORT – George Alexander

1. George says that the CTAC bank account with TD Bank has now been closed and remaining  2012 balance transferred to a new CONNEX Credit Union account: approximately $11,000, minus tonight’s bill for the annual CTAC dinner at App’s .

2. George proposes motion to authorize payment for web design work.  Budgeted amount authorized in September by CTAC was $500, and the total Bill for Services came to $480 — $20 under budget.
George’s motion to make payment is seconded by Peaches Quinn. Vote taken and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

October Minutes recorded by Don Levy are submitted for approval. Two typographical errors had been corrected. Johnes makes motion to accept. Don seconded motion. Vote taken, carried unanimously.

Johnes recommends that CTV give N’zinga Shani second hour for her show “21^st Century Conversations” to resolve her issue once and for all.  General comments that this offer would not resolve her complaint as well as CTV modified their rules and procedures  which makes not possible to add the second showing live.  George recommends previous offer be made again – to put all her shows onto the CTV On-Demand system, for easy access.  CTAC awaits response indications from PURA as to follow up on this issue. No actions will be taken by CTAC until then. 

General discussion regarding CTAC protocol of responsibilities to advise CTV and Comcast planning and policies, CTAC advisory responsibilities to the Connecticut Legislature, and reporting to PURA of CTAC research and minutes.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Letters approved to be sent to 3 CTAC representative members who have not attended 50% of meetings, or have missed more than three consecutive meetings without communicating their reasons to CTAC – that they are no longer members. 

2. Accordingly, letters have been sent to mayor’s offices of represented towns (Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven) of CTAC membership positions for towns, libraries, and school systems, to recommend for each  town mayor to notify their Board of Education Superintendants and Library Directors to appoint new members to fill vacant positions on the CTAC Council.

Meeting adjourned 9:10 p.m.

Weds. Oct. 4, 2012

Present:  

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Joyce Listro, NH

Peaches Quinn, NH

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jennifer Sacco, H

Tad Weinstein, WH, chair

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast

Joe Schofield, CTV

Meeting called to order 6:05 p.m.

Johnes moved to approve August minutes, seconded by Peaches; motion carried.  George moved to approve Sept. minutes with minor change to reflect “links to documents on homepage;” Johnes seconded.  Motion carried.

Sharon gave Comcast report.

Johnes asked about Classic Arts Showcase being added On Demand;  acc. to Sharon, seems not likely, because not in demand by the public.  Classic Arts Showcase is available on CTV in our area.

George asked about Comcast’s policy about returning equipment at end of service—does Comcast regularly pick up boxes, or do they have to be brought to a service center.  Seems to be some different responses from Comcast.

Jen asked Sharon to suggest that the website for Xfinity make it possible to adjust services for a customer more easily; one cannot add a DTA or a DVR via the website.

Joe gave CTV report.  CTV received the grant for $45,000 for new studio cameras and accessories from the state.  These will be digital cameras with HD capability (though CTV does not broadcast in HD).  Joe anticipates the cameras will be on site and running within a few weeks.

CTV has found a property of interest to move in to, though it will not be available for a year.  AT&T has agreed to hook up CTV here, as well as when they move.  There are still some outstanding issues to be worked out, including the return line.  Some purchased national programming will not be available to AT&T users, however, because it would go statewide, instead of just to the three towns, as it does on Comcast.  Proprietary issues will prevent broadcast to the rest of the state.

George moved that the CTAC recognize Mr. Sydney Evans for his efforts to defend and enforce the public’s First Amendment rights at Citizen Television by means of our Cable Television Advisory Council for Hamden, New Haven and West Haven.  Johnes seconded; motion carried.

George moved that we transfer the balance of funds of CTAC at TD Bank to the CTAC account at Connex Credit Union and thereafter close the CTAC account at TD Bank.   Peaches seconded; motion carried.

Peaches moved that we list our names on our website, but only contact info for the group email address and P.O. box.  Joyce seconded. 

We reviewed the list of members to see who has effectively resigned by their non-attendance (consistent with our bylaws.)  The towns will be notified of the vacancies, and Peaches moved that we email members to let them know that they are effectively resigned, according to our bylaws.  This applies to Paul Scanlon, Shalita Sampson, and Richard Gay.  Peaches moved that we send notice to our resigned members; Joyce seconded.  Motion carried.

DRAFT

“According to the bylaws of the CTAC (September 6, 2006), Section 2, Paragraph B “Term of Members” “Each member of the Advisory Council shall serve for a term of two years from the first day of July in the year such members is appointed.  At the end of the two-year term, a member may remain on the Advisory Council until re-appointed or replaced.  If an Advisory Council member has three consecutive unexcused absences or does not attend 50 percent of meetings duly noticed and held within a 12 month period, then the member will be deemed to have resigned from the Advisory Council.”  The council has determined that you have resigned; we appreciate your previous service and will notify your town of the vacancy on the council.”

Meeting adjourned 7:13 p.m.