HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-11-14-83-Adjourned Regular Meeting%3
The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at
6:30 p.m., November 14, 1983, in the Green Room of the Downey,Commmity Theatre,
Mayor Fobert G. Commack presiding.
PRESE@7.C: Council Members:
Robert G. Cormack Mayor
Theodore H. Jackneun Mayor Pm Tern
Randall R. Barb
Bob Davila
James T. Quinn
Community Access Citizens Advisory Committee:
John Kennedy, Chairman
Jean Albrecht
Gene Boutault (arrived at 6:32 p.m.)
Dale Hardeman
Paul Lambros
Grace Homey, Ex Officio Member
Dr. Ed Sussman, Ex Officio Member'
ALSO PRESENT: Bud Ovrom, City Manager
Scott F. Field, Assistant City Attorney
Janes R. Jarrett, Acting Director of Commmity Services
Kevin O'Connor, Theatre Manager
Scot Yotsuya, Assistant to City Manager
Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer
Patricia Cabrera, Consultant
Sally Guttierez, Consultant
Mr. Yotsuya explained the purpose of the joint meeting is to review four
recommendations developed by the Commmi.ttee to administer carmnmity access. He
proceeded to explain four steps for iniplementing the Community Access Corporation,
including Articles of Incorporation, By -Laws, and Rules and Regulations.
It was moved by Councilman Quinn and seconded by Councilman Davila to accept
the recommendations of -the Committee for Formation of Downey Co=mlty Access
Corporation to administer Community Access.
Councilman Barb comrented on the high quality ty of preparation of the proposals.
He suggested more than $20,000 be awarded for subsistance grants.
Councilman Davila also caurended the Committee for preparation of the documents
and stressed the need to work with other cau comities in obtaining a basic foundation
for what is going to be used in production.
Mr. Field said Downey is far ahead of the other cities in developing an access
program. The other cities are looking to Downey's rules and regulations as a guide.
Councilman Jackman said the Committee has done an excellent job in preparing
the rec=nandations assisted by outstanding input from staff. He contends there is
capable talent in Downey to lend substance to superior Cable TV productions.
Mayor Cormack does not want to move away from the dollar amounts as reflected
in the report, nor does he want the program to assume a "welfare" status. He pre-
fers to see a joint venture situation.
Councilman Quinn feels Downey should have its own access committee instead of
having Cablesystems perform the activity because it gives flexibility to enhance
the City's culture.
Mr. Ovr mnindicated there is a concensus of the Council at this point for
approval of the motion.
Council Minutes 11/14/83 (adj.) -1-
�bA �
Mr. Yotsuya explained the Community Access Plan of Action, wherein grants of
up to $5,000 per project may be awarded to organizations and individuals. A second
part of the grant program is the Subsistance Grant not to exceed $4,000 in a twelve
month period.
Mr. Ovrom said approximately $400,000 will be available this coming year for
production if all grants were for $5,000 each. $20,000 would be available for
subsistance grants for a maximum of five organizations who qualify.
Mr. Field discussed the financial and criteria handling for the grant program.
Mr. Noel Thompson mentioned funds were loaned to the Downey Symphony and said
the $4,000 to be granted to the five qualified organizations would not pay back
the symphony for the money it borrowed.
Councilman Barb spoke to the budget structure of the grant program.
Mr. Hardeman stated sufficient funds are available to meet reasonable needs.
Applicants must have satisfactory presentations in order to qualify. He'also said
the Committee did not address the Cerritos College District or the Downey Unified
School District because they are not yet certain regarding Cable TV productions.
The School District has fret with a consultant to discuss benefits of Cable TV pro-
duction and is in the process of assembling a package.
Mr. Ovrom commented on the school district budgetary questions.
Councilman Jackman questioned if other cities in the Cerritos College district
have funds available to finance hardware, capital equipment, or canmmity access
to the Cerritos College District.
Mr. Hardeman replied the Cerritos College District takes in about four or five
Cable TV companies. He is mainly interested in a program of integrating the
education system and also program sharing.
Mr. Noel Thompson asked if there is any limitation of has much irony the
school system may draw from the grant funds for the education program.
Mayor Cormack responded that such matters would be submitted to the Community
Access Committee for a determination.
A discussion was held regarding the various possibilities for use of access
funds for determining what is needed to implement an education Cable TV program.
In answer to Mr. Thompson, Mr. Field said there is a $500 completion grant to
cover underestimated costs.
Mr. Yotsuya and Mr. Field gave wrap-up discussion concerning filing for
incorporation to enable expenditure of funds, consider opportunities, and process-
ing of grant applications,
The meeting wac adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
laert L. Shand, Ci Clerk -Treasurer
Council Minutes 11/14/83 (adj.) -2-