CTAC Minutes

CTAC   – Monthly Meeting Minutes – September 6, 2017
Meeting called to order @ 6:05 PM.

Members in attendance:
Tad Weinstein (West Haven), Chair
Peaches Quinn (New Haven) Vice-Chair
George Alexander (Hamden), Treasurer
Johnes Ruta, (New Haven), Advisor, Acting Secretary
Ashley Sklar (New Haven Public Library System)

Sharon Codeanne (Comcast Representative)

1.   August CTAC Minutes (submitted by Johnes).   George makes Motion to approve the August Minutes.
Ashley seconds. Vote carried.

2. COMCAST Report — submitted by Sharon Codeanne.Community Relations
3. Comcast has awarded a $20,000 grant to the New Haven Boys & Girls Club to support their
   digital literacy program called My Future.b. Comcast is sponsoring Concepts for Adaptive Learning’s annual fundraising gala on September 27^th.
   This is free computer training to low-income families, held in New Haven (Anthony’s Restairant),
   Waterbury, and Bridgeport.

   Marketing
   a. Cellular service for iPhone – Smsung Galaxy Android.   No Roaming charges for calls outside
   of the area.   Service available in Comcast service area only.

   Johnes asks about the new Xfinity website – whether there is still user-friendly listings for
   Upcoming and On-Demand programming ?     Sharon will research for next meeting.

   Peaches speaks about Comcast WiFi Router deficiencies. Sharon will research for next meeting.

   3.   Video Contest status:   No entries submitted by the public so far.

   George suggests we each enter a contest application to test the system.

   Publicity recommendations:
   – Connecticut Post Chronicle Bulletin Board
   – Mayor’s Monthly Newsletter
   – Journal Courier for Hamden & North Haven
   – Hamden Journal – www.thehamdenjournal.cp,/

Application deadline:
Johnes makes a formal Motion to extend the entry application Deadline to December 31.
George Alexander seconds this motion.   Vote – carried

4. The next meeting of the CTAC is set for Wednesday, October 4, 2017, 6:00 PM.

CTAC Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.

Minutes Submitted by Johnes Ruta, CTAC Acting Secretary, New Haven Rep #2

CTAC   – Monthly Meeting Minutes – August 2, 2017
Meeting called to order @ 6:08 PM.

Members in attendance:
Tad Weinstein (West Haven), Chair
George Alexander (Hamden), Treasurer
Johnes Ruta, (New Haven), Advisor, Acting Secretary
Laurel Coleman (West Haven), Advisor
Yvonne Manning-Jones (New Haven), Advisor – new member

Joseph Schofield – CTV Representative.

1.   CTV Report – Joe Schofield
CTV had to give up one staff position in order to buy needed equipment. $6 Million taken out of
CT State Fund. CTV spent $35K to upgrade digital equipment.   CTV now can broadcast one
channel in HD.   Frontier has CTV on an NS Server. Comcast does not provide an HD channel.
The bext CTV Board Meeting will be August 10^th; one CTAC member is needed to attend.
CTV management has closed down studio production for the summer in order to do housecleaning.

CTV has acquired a new Switcher – it is a complex unit and performs lots of functions,
90% of the work is done on virtual sets.

CTV is continuing to offer production classes, but there is now a waiting list for these classes.

George Alexander asks if CTV has put the Video Contest Announcement onto the CTV website ?
Joe replies that CTV had never received the email with the announcement.   He requests to ask
Peaches Quinn to record a 30 second CTV video announcement for the video contest. A written
announcement should also go onto the CTV Bulletin Board.

Johnes asks Joe about the current functionality of the CTV Channel Listings on the Citizenstv.org    website,, because the page links for all three channels, 26, 27, and 96, produced errors ?
Joe answers that he is responsible for the website, and that someone recently working on the site
had blocked access for him and other editors. Until this can be fixed, these pages can be accessed
by removing the “s” from the https:// IP name link from the browser address line.

2.   June CTAC Minutes (submitted by Johnes).   Requested corrections had been received by the CTAC
Forward list to all members. George makes Motion to approve the June Minutes. Laurel seconds.
Vote carried.

3.   July CTAC Minutes:   no Minutes taken on the July 5^th teleconference call , which Johnes was unable
to connect with.

4.   CTAC Correspondence Letters:
a. Roland Garrett’s letter asks about Comcast having raised the rental price of the Digital Tuner –
the second unit price was raised from $2.99 per month to $5.99. This means that if a customer
has five units, their monthly bill rises by $30 more per month!

b. Angel Graham of West Haven wants to know TCM is only available with the Premium
Sports Package ?

c. William Bonn asks why Comcast has changed all the station numbers on the digital lineup,
and unnecessarily has sent many sheets of paper to cover this information ?

d. Another letter to Comcast asks why the monthly Bill keeps chaning the names of payment itsms,
such as “digital converter” to “TV Box” and “digital adapter” to “Service to Additional TV” ?

5.   COMCAST Report — submitted by Sharon Codeanne.via message.

Community Relations

1. Comcast is a sponsor of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame STEMfems Program
   “Women Transforming Our World,” which addresses the critical need for women and
   girls to pursue careers in STEM fields.

.
b. Comcast is sponsoring Arte’s “Socialization & Learning Adventures Through Education”
program for low-income Latino youth in New Haven.

Marketing
a. Effective August 15, 2017, the Inspiration Channel will be launched in channel 83.
(Expanded Basic tier).

b. Effective August 8, 2017, due to increased costs, the standard shipping charge for
Self-Installation Kits will change from $9.95 to $15.00.

c. Comcast has just received a Connecticut license to provide cable service statewide.

6. Frontier report – no representative from Frontier is present.

7.   Video Contest status:   The Applications and entry process are now live on the cableadvisor.org website.
Questions of contest criteria: Does the on-line entrant’s application comply with the rules ?
If NO- the application must be rejected and reapply. If YES – the video will be graded from 1 to 4,

for each category and the content message, according to the Rules Rubric.

8.   The Statewide Television Advisory Council now has a new website, designed by a council member
designated as CTSVAC.org

9. The next meeting of the CTAC is set for Wednesday, September 6^th, 2017, 6:00 PM.

CTAC Meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM.

Minutes Submitted by Johnes Ruta, CTAC Acting Secretary, New Haven Rep #2

CTAC   – Monthly Meeting Minutes – June 7, 2017
Meeting called to order @ 6:00 PM.

Members in attendance:
Tad Weinstein (West Haven), Chair
Peaches Quinn (New Haven), Vice Chair
George Alexander (Hamden), Treasurer
Johnes Ruta, (New Haven), Advisor, Acting Secretary
Ashley Sklar (New Haven Library System), Advisor
Laurel Coleman (West Haven), Advisor
Yvonne Manning-Jones (New Haven), Advisor – new member

Sharon Codeanne – Comcast Representative.

1.   Introduction of new member Yvonne Manning-Jones, New Haven Mayoral Appointee. And introductions of all members to her. Yvonne has new Frontier FIOS (Fiber Optic) available in her West Haven area.

2.   May Minutes – submitted by Johnes Ruta.   Peaches Quinn makes Motion to accept. George Alexander Seconds the Motion to accept.

3.   COMCAST Report — submitted by Sharon Codeanne..

1. Comcast is a sponsor of the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven.
   b. Comcast will sponsor Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 17^th on the New Haven Green.
   Free WiFi will be provided.
   c. Comcast was a sponsor of the Urban League of Southern Connecticut’s 2017 Diversity Awards which was held this afternoon (June 7^th).
   d. These local high-school seniors were awarded Comcast Leaders & Achievers Scholarships
   at an awards ceremony held last week at the State Capitol:
   *   Dante Frazer – Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School (West Haven).
   *   Brian Henderson – New Haven Academy.
   *   Anna-Allegra Ranelli – Wilbur Cross High School
   *   Judith Suffrard – Sacred Heart Academy (Hamden)
   *   Tytriq Woodson – Hillhouse High School

   e. Marketing; Effective July 1, 2107, Esquire (channel 413) and Esquire HD (1413) will no longer be available because the programmer is ceasing operations.

Peaches Quinn asks question to Sharon – “Are there any Comcast programs targeted to older adults?
Sharon lists two programs in reply: 1, Urban League Digital Literate; 2. Internet Essentials for adults.
Sharon provides the name of the Comcast Community Relations Manager – Karen Perham-Liptman.

Sharon reports that Comcast’s applicaton for CT Statewide License to offer their services statewide has now been approved.

4. Frontier report – no representative from Frontier is present.

5.   CTV Report – Joe Schoefield not present – no CTV Report available this month..

6.   A volunteer is needed to fill CTAC post of Secretary. Johnes Ruta, has been taking the meeting Minutes as “Acting Secretary” volunteers to fill the post for the remainder of the annual term for calendar 2017. Accepted by CTAC Chair Tad, and council vote.
7.   Video Contest status:   The Applications and entry process are now live on the cableadvisor.org website.
Questions of contest criteria: Does the on-line entrant’s application comply with the rules ?
If NO- the application must be rejected and reapply. If YES – the video will be graded from 1 to 4, for each category and the content message, according to the Rules Rubric.

Peaches Quinn asks: “Can we put together a Procedures Manual ?” George Alexander: “Who will volunteer to “Chair” the Video Contest Application Review for approval.   Tad volunteers Peaches. “Tad and Peaches should co-chair.”
Publicity: Who will write and distribute publicity for the Video Contest ? Johnes requests
talking / bullet points for a Publicity Release with which to put into announcement format.
Johnes will distribute to his curatorial email list. Ashley will distribute to the New Haven
Free Public Library email list. Peaches will contact the local Boards of Education; her contact there is Carlos Torres, a member of the Board. Also distribution to Hamden Weekly Newsletter,

CTV PSA, also a PSA to WTNH-8.

Laurel offers to produce paper Flyers for the Video Contest.

Contestants will contact videocontest at @cableadvisory.org

Peaches speculates that the time period of Video Contest entries of 60 seconds might be too long for an effective PSA. Discussion follows on the format of the PSA. George suggests a blurb:
“CTAC has decided to sponsor a video contest…”

End of CTAC Meeting decided.   Johnes makes Motion to Adjourn. Peaches seconds the motion.
Vote carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:08 PM.

Minutes Submitted by Johnes Ruta, CTAC Acting Secretary, New Haven Rep #2

CTAC   – Monthly Meeting Minutes – May 3, 2017
Meeting called to order @ 6:07 PM.

Members in attendance:
Tad Weinstein (West Haven), Chair
George Alexander (Hamden), Treasurer
Johnes Ruta, (New Haven), Advisor
Ashley Sklar (New Haven Library System), Advisor

1.   March Minutes submitted by Johnes Ruta require one correction paragraph 1: Rather than “Frontier Call Center” was moved to Long Island, should be “Cablevision Call Center” Tad makes Motion to accept
March Minutes with this pending change. George seconds this motion; vote unanimous.
April meeting was canceled; there were no April Minutes.

2. COMCAST Report — submitted by Sharon Codeanne.(absent) via George.
Community Relations

2017. a. Our annual Comcast Cares Day was held on Saturday, April 22^nd. Hundreds of Comcast employees volunteered their time on various improvement projects at the Elm City Communities McConaughty site.
      b. Comcast was s sponsor of the Junior Achievement of Southwest New England Hall of Fame celebration on March 9^th.
      c. Comcast was a sponsor of the Connecticut invention Convention to support STEM programs among students on April 29^th.
      Marketing
      a. The YES Network returned to our channel lineup as on March 31, 2017.

      3.   Video Contest status:   (The Applications and entry process are now live on the cableadvisory.org website.)
      No progress made on development due that there was no April CTAC meeting. What next?
      George mentions the Hamden Billboard Contest as similar to our Video Contest, but for Hamden residents only.

      Tad sent a proposal with a Video Contest Procedure proposal via email some time soon after the March meeting, with instructions for the contest entry step-by-step.
      Also following the March meeting, George composed a “blurb” for publicity distribution, sent to CTACForward email, but no other members appear to have received this.

2019. A FaceBook page is needed for CTAC, and FB Friend Requests need to be sent out and connected.

      The Video Contest Entry Deadline in both age categories is October 31, 2017.
      The Video Contest Application Deadline is June 30, 2017, but it is agreed that, depending on the volume of entries, that this deadline can be extended, if the volume is low at that time, This point is agreed, Johnes makes a Motion to accept, Tad seconds the motion, and the vote is unanimous.

      Contestants will contact videocontest at @cableadvisory.org

      4.   The next CTAC Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2017.

      Meeting adjourned at 6:51 PM.
      Submitted by Johnes Ruta, CTAC New Haven Rep #2

CTAC – Monthly Meeting Minutes – March 1, 2017

Meeting called to order @ 6:10 PM.

Members in attendance:
Tad Weinstein (West Haven), Chair
Peaches Quinn (New Haven), Vice Chair
George Alexander (Hamden), Treasurer
Johnes Ruta, (New Haven), Advisor
Ashley Sklar (New Haven Library System), Advisor

Joe Schoefield – CTV Executive Director.

1. February Minutes submitted by Johnes Ruta require corrections: Frontier is not required to be represented
at CTAC as they are technically NOT a cable company. However, Peaches Quinn states that she thinks we
must contact Frontier to have a representative attend, as Steve Gimmel’s job area was changed and he will
not longer be in the area to attend. The Cablevision Call Center was moved to Long Island, and the Shelton
staff of 400 workers was mostly laid-off.
Johnes will make edit changes to Feb. Minutes George motions to accept Feb. Minutes with pending
changes. Peaches seconds this motion.

2. COMCAST Report — submitted by Sharon Codeanne.(absent) via George.
a. Comcast sponsored the New Haven Free Public Library Annual Mardi Gras Celebration on Feb 28.
b. Comcast was a sponsor of the Annual MLK Legacy Celebration at the Yale Peabody Museum
and raffled-off a laptop to attendees at the Celebration Teen Summit.
c. The annual Comcast Cares Day will be held on April 22nd. Comcast employees will be volunteering
their time with the Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven.
d. Comcast was named to the Hartford Business Journal’s annual list of the Best Places to Work in
Connecticut.
e. Comcast and Google have announced a deal that will launch the YouTube app on XFINITY X1
across the country later this year. X1 customers will be able to easily browse and seamlessly access over the internet the entire YouTube catalog of billions of videos.
f. Beginning March 5, 2017, WNET will discontinue broadcasting its “V-Me” service and it will
no longer be available on their channel line-up.
g. The YES Network will return to the Comcast line-up as of March 31, 2017. YES will be relaunched
in the areas in which it was previously carried, and customers will be able to watch the March 31
New York Yankees – Atlanta Braves pre-season game on YES at 7:30 pm.

3. Frontier report – no representative from Frontier is present.

4. CTV Report – Joe Schoefield.
World Vision producers’ controversy with PURA against CTV has still not officially resolved. CTV has
been complying with the PURA ‘s findings. CTV has now made a Motion to PURA to close the docket.

5. Video Contest status: The Applications and entry process are now live on the cableadvisory.org website.
Questions of contest criteria: Does the on-line entrant’s application comply with the rules ?
If NO- the application must be rejected and reapply. If YES – the video will be graded from 1 to 4,
for each category and the content message, according to the Rules Rubric.

Peaches Quinn asks: “Can we put together a Procedures Manual ?” George Alexander: “Who
will volunteer to “Chair” the Video Contest Application Review for approval. Tad volunteers
Peaches. “Tad and Peaches should co-chair.”
Publicity: Who will write and distribute publicity for the Video Contest ? Johnes requests
talking / bullet points for a Publicity Release with which to put into announcement format.
Johnes will distribute to his curatorial email list. Ashley will distribute to the New Haven
Free Public Library email list. Peaches will contact the local Boards of Education; her contact
there is Carlos Torres, a member of the Board. Also distribution to Hamden Weekly Newsletter,
CTV PSA, also a PSA to WTNH-8.

Contestants will contact videocontest at cableadvisory.org

6. CTAC Website and Video Contest status:

a. George Alexander presents an Invoice for work done on the CTAC website by Adina Alexander
in the amount of $1,420. George states that the website is now operational with the Video Contest
Guideline, Application, and Submittal forms.
b. Johnes contests the amount to be paid as being in excess of the originally budgeted and Estimated
amount of $1,200, and may be intrusive into the budget amount ($4,000) for the allotted two Video Contest Prizes of $1000 each. Johnes reminds George that he had recommended that the web design
contractor submit a professional statement of Hours Worked with the web designer’s final Invoice.
The hours stated are general totals and not timed. George informs Johnes that there is more money
available than $4000 for the project, so that the web designer can be paid their Invoice amount.
Johnes makes a Motion to limit the payment to $1,200, the original Estimate amount. All members
vote against Johnes, and his motion is defeated. A check will be written to Adina Alexander for $1,420.

c. Peaches Quinn again states that we need to have a Procedures Manual for the Video Contest.
There is a discussion of publicity strategies: communication to be directed to the New Haven
Board of Education, the Mayors’ Offices of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven; also the
New Haven Commission on Cultural Affairs, Facebook for New Haven, and the CTAC
YouTube account.

CTAC March Meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.
Submitted by Johnes Ruta, CTAC New Haven Rep #2

CTAC   – Monthly Meeting Minutes – February 1, 2017
Meeting called to order @ 6:04 PM.

Members in attendance:
Tad Weinstein (West Haven), Chair
Peaches Quinn (New Haven), Vice Chair
George Alexander (Hamden), Treasurer
Johnes Ruta, (New Haven), Advisor

Sharon Codeanne (Comcast representative)
Steve Gimmel   (Frontier representative)

1. COMCAST report — Sharon Codeanne.

1. Comcast made a $36,000 donation to Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven to support their work to create neighborhood revitalization in some of the most challenging neighborhoods in New Haven.
2. Comcast held a sneak-preview of the animated family film “Sing” at the Bow Tie Criterion
   Cinema in New Haven in December and donated 100 tickets to local children’s non-profits:
   New Haven Boys & Girls Club, Arte Inc, United Way, and the Urban League of Southern CT.
   c.   The Comcast Cares Day will be held on Saturday, April 22^nd.
   d.   The YES Network and Comcast have reached an agreement regarding carriage of the YES
   Channel, which will be returning to the Comcast lineup.
3. The Annual $2,000 support check has been delivered to CTAC. Tad forwarded it to George.
4. No technology or rate changes to be reported.
   g.   Mobile and cellular businesses are possible future business ventures.

   2. Introduction of Merissa Hammie – West Haven resident, awaiting WH Mayoral appointment.

   3. Frontier report – Steve Gimmel.
   Steve mentions the Frontier has undergone some organizational restructuring, including that his job
   responsibilities have been assigned to a different vicinity. He asks about the required representation of
   Frontier to CTAC meetings. Tad replies: “Frontier has a state-wide license so that their representation at
   CTAC is required, but not required to attend every monthly meeting, but to attend at least four times a year.
   Tad mentions previous delegates, also that technically Frontier is not a cable company, therefore not under
   CTAC jurisdiction.
   George Alexander raises an issue with Frontier, as a subscriber with “No More Robo” system, that robo-calls were automatically transferred to the Washington D.C. agency, and that these calls ran over his 200 subscriber minutes, and he was being charged 3 cents per minute on his bill. This was a Frontier billing problem that was corrected.
   Peaches Quinn asks if Comcast offers this kind of service. Johnes explains the way to block calls on Comcast VOIP using the *60 dialing sequence.

   4.   Review of January Minutes: Tad makes request Johnes correct a typo indicating $1,000 showing as $1,00 –.
   5. Tad presented the 2017 Budget Proposal.
   Peaches recommended that the Budget line for “Community Outreach” show an identifier as website
   development rather than “Other.” Tad and George stipulate that the Budget format is supplied by PURA,
   and not itemized. Johnes asks what is the amount that is being paid for the website development to include
   the Video Contest, will the estimate provided by Alexander Associates be held to?
   George confirms that the website cost will not exceed $1,200, and kept within the budget allotted.
   Peaches makes Motion to accept the 2017 Budget, Johnes seconds the motion. Vote carried.

   6. Website:
   a. Statement of work: Enhancement of the CTAC website cableadvisory.org is completed except for the         Video Contest form entry section.

b. Joomla conversion to WordPress website was done by Johnes, Enhancement of the WordPress site done by Alexander Associates.
c. Contest entry on the website via the hosting server failed as GoDaddy indicated a message “Excessive Backup Files” and deleted some of the test entries, as GoDaddy storage for this subscription was exceeded. Fortunately, the last 7 days of backups were preserved. The rate for additional 200 GB of storage on GoDaddy is $200 per year.

7. Video Contest Webpage:
   a. Issue #1: Contest format. George Alexander did research on other video contest programs and found two
   similar ones, one in Pennsylvania PSA for driving in flooded areas, and another called “World of 7 Billion.”
   with entry topics of Climate Change, Ocean Healt, and Rapid Urbanization.   These use a procedure for
   entries with directions to contestants to upload their video entry to YouTube, and for the contestant to
   provide their YouTube video address to the contest managers.
   b. George questions the length of the video that Comcast and Frontier will accept.
   George makes a Motion to change the Video Contest Rules to change the video length to 60 seconds.
   Johnes seconds this motion. All are agreed. Vote carries the motion. Adina Alexander will make these
   changes to the entry program.
   c. Issue #2: Underage Contestants.   What will be Rules and Regulations ?   Does CTAC need legal
   advice on this matter? Is a Parental Release needed for each contestant?   Yes, we should initiate
   this: need Release Form for those creating and appearing in a video, and a Permission Form for winners.
   We should consult with Joe Schofield regarding these forms. Need Content Guidelines.
   d. Issue #3: Video Judging Guidelines – The PA criteria uses a quality points system of 1 to 4, CTAC should
   use the PA system for examples.

   8. Video Contest procedures, finalization of Rules and Regulations, and procedures needed:
   a.   Students may work together. No adult participation. One lead producer.
   b.   Titles
   c.   All crew credits to be cited.
   d.   No externally copyrighted material.
   e.   No professional assistance.
   f.   Script must be entrant devised.   No illicit behavior to be depicted.
   g.   Intellectual property will have a delegation of retainer. No compensation other than Award.

   9. Video Contest distribution:
   a. submit Contest to schools in CTAC unit jurisdiction to be publicized by them.
   b. 6 weeks for entry approval.

8. CTAC organization – discussion of the delegation of the tasks of the video contest.
   a.   Who will Chair the contest ?
   b. Johnes will edit the Rules document, to have ready by next meeting. Also documents for Overview, FAQs,
   Tips for Video Entry, Judging Rubric, Application, Parental Permission, and Actor Release Forms.
   c. Determine entries deadline.
   d. Pre-Application – 1 month, by end of May, include Parental Approval.
   e. CTAC Contest review, approval, and notification response by June 30.
   f. Video submissions by October 31, 2017.
   g. CTAC judging and prizes announcement by December 31, 2017.

   CTAC February Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.
   Submitted by Johnes Ruta, CTAC New Haven Rep #2

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: January 4, 2017

A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at the offices of Citizens Television of New Haven, Connecticut, on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. President Tad Weinstein presiding.
Meeting called to order at 6:06 PM.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH), George Alexander (H), Ashley Sklar (NH Library),
Laurel Coleman (H), Johnes Ruta (NH).

Representatives attending:   Joseph Schofield (CTV.)

Agenda change: Joe Schofield requests to present his CTV Report first, due to his time constraints. Approved by Tad Weinstein and council without objection.
1.   CTV Report – given by Joe Schofield:
a.          “Frontier is still having issues but their connection to input CTV programming into their statewide system. Frontier has been responsive to work on the problem. They have their amps set too high. The CTV signal level is set correctly. The Comcast signal level is also set correctly.”   Joe sent an email to Steve Gimmel (Frontier Field Manager) to come to CTV to reset the signal level. Another monitor is needed for Frontier in the CTV Reception area where relays to Frontier and Comcast are observed continuously by the receptionist.

b.         Joe: “A new SWITCHER is needed:   “It may be time for a 2008 Switcher to be replaced. The cost would be $30,000. The cost issue will be brought up at the next CTV Board meeting.CTV will need to increase its Credit Line with the Wells Fargo Bank. CTV will pay the interest on its own money account at Wells Fargo. CTV hopes to complete the new Switcher installation by the end of February. Graphics will be improved.”

1. Joe: “CTV wants to get more use from the CTV website http://www.citizenstv.org/
   Program producers must now fill put a “show- log” which will accommodate and expand the channel listings on the CTV website.”d. Joe: “CTV is retraining program producers in terms of their production and technical standards.   Lots of money has been spent on changing sets (curtains & props) so that each show will look different. These have been installed, to improve quality and aesthetics.”

1. Joe: “CTV is implementing a TRI-CASTER to run a virtual sets with a “Chromo-Key”
   to continually monitor transmission color standards.f. Joe: “A Holiday Party on December 20, 2016, given by CTV at its headquarters, was a success. A pianist was hired, and the food catered by Christopher Martins Restaurant.” CTAC members were invited, with apologies for the late date of the invitation notice.

2. CTAC December Minutes.
   Copies of the December Minutes recorded by Don Levy were distributed by Tad Weinstein for review. Clarification on video prizes: two at $1,000 each. No objections raised to text. Johnes Ruta made the Motion to accept the Minutes as written.   Tad seconded the motion. Vote taken, unanimous.

3. CTAC Meeting topic: Don Levy’s resignation.Email received to all CTAC members on December 24, 2016 from Don Levy, CTAC Secretary:
   To my colleagues on CTAC,

Effective immediately I am resigning from the Cable Television Advisory Council.

I am redirecting my energies and my commitments and, as a result, I am not able to devote my time and attention to CTAC.   Please remove my email address from CTACforward.

Regards, Don Levy
George says that Hamden Town Hall should be notified, so a new appointment for a second representative for Hamden will be made for the CTAC.

4. CTAC Video Contest
   Form design submitted by George Alexander.   Changes since December meeting:
5. 14 minute video maximum length.
   b. Digital media only allowed.

CableAdvisory.org home page will have a tab on the menu to link to the Contest Entry form. Rules Page displayed, must be entered with a AGREE check-mark by entrant, in order

1.    for entrant to proceed to the online Application Form.b. Applicant would create a User Account. Applicant completion of this form will notify
   all CTAC members via email at [email protected], so that the applicant’s entry will be review and determined that it meets rules criteria.
2. On CTAC approval of Applicant qualifications will then be qualified as a Contestant.
   The database should then allow the Contestant to upload a video to the website,
   via a private link for the contestant only. The link should allow upload and play
   (for CTAC reviewers) of all types of video files (ex. .mp4, .wmv, .flv, etc)
   (A video file is technically too large to be sent to CTAC as an email attachment.)

1. Applicant approval will then allow Contestant to upload their video to the WordPress      CableAdvisory.org’s contestant’s private account, notifying judging subcommittee that the video is available for viewing and judging.Discussion on Application Form:
   Johnes recommends Name & Age entry field be modified to 3 separate fields:
   First Name, Last Name, Date-of-Birth (to automatically calculate age of applicant).George specifies the need for a Date-of-Entry field. Tad recommends elimination of “Anticipated Budget” entry line. Laurel Coleman voices concerns about accessibility of contest entry, standards to be applied for videos and judging for awards categories.
   Laurel contributes ideas for criteria. Johnes offers a written outline of aesthetic criteria.Motion made by Johnes to accept all modifications to Form: Tad seconded. Vote unanimous.

Meeting adjourned at 7:32 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Johnes Ruta.

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven
Meeting Date: December 7, 2016

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at Carmine’s Restaurant at 1500 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut, on Wednesday, December 7, 2016. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy Secretary. Meeting called to order at 6:44.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH), Don Levy, Secretary (H), Laurel Coleman (H), Johnes Ruta (NH), Peaches Quinn (NH), George Alexander (H).

Minutes from the October meeting (as corrected) and from the November meeting were accepted.

Comcast report was provided in absentia. Comcast has asked PURA for a rate adjustment to become effective on December 20. It has added Sling TV to the X1 platform providing additional streaming content options. Customers on the X1 platform in many locations will be able to view their Netflix content over X1.

Members voted 5-1 to drop the age group 20 and over from the CTAC Video Excellence Awards contest, thus leaving two age groups 14 and under and 15 – 19. There will be a total of two prizes of $1,000.00. One prize will be awarded in each category. If none of the entries is worthy of recognition, no prize will be awarded in the category..

Members voted to exclude employees of Comcast, Frontier Communications, CTV and members of CTAC from eligibility to enter the contest.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Don Levy, CTAC Secretary.

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven
Meeting Date: November 2, 2016

Call to order: A regular monthly meeting of CTAC was held at CTV Offices at 843 State Street, New Haven, Connecticut, on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy Secretary. Meeting called to order at 6:00.

Members in attendance:

Tad Weinstein, Chair (WH), Don Levy, Secretary (H), Laurel Coleman (H), Johnes Ruta (NH), Peaches Quinn (NH), Ashley Sklar (NH),George Alexander (H).

Comcast Representative Sharon Codeanne, Frontier Representative Steve Gimmell, CTV representative Joe Schofield.

Minutes from the previous meeting were discussed and will be amended and voted on at the next regular meeting.

Steve Gimmell of Frontier noted that CTV programs had been cablecast on Channel 99 for about three weeks. Any Frontier subscriber in Connecticut can now receive CTV programming by scrolling through the offerings on Channel 99. The CTAC members thanked Frontier for finally securing access to CTV programs for its local subscribers. Frontier is also currently programming a local sports channel and is encouraging high school students to volunteer to cablecast programs featuring their schools. Frontier has agreed with Yale University to become the prime media sponsor of Yale Athletics. Additional home shopping channels have been added to Frontier offerings.

Sharon Codeanne of Comcast said her company has expanded its low-cost “Internet Essentials” program to qualified families receiving HUD assistance. All such families who had not had access to Comcast internet for three months or longer may request the service. Comcast was recognized by the national Points of Light program as one of The Civic 50 companies based on its involvement in improving the quality of life in its service areas. It was also recognized locally by the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven.

Sharon also said with regard to the Comcast equipment upgrade program announced last month that subscribers could request a new cable box and Comcast service reps would install it free of charge.

George noted that the upgrade to the website cannot be completed until the video contest forms have been finalized. The members decided to hold a special meeting on November 9 to put forward a final document outlining the rules of the video contest. The entire Council will vote on this document at its next regular meeting in December. The December 7 monthly CTAC meeting will be held at Carmine’s Restaurant at 1500 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, beginning at 5:30.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Don Levy, CTAC Secretary.