HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.B. Future Public Access Operations 3,
City of Shakopee
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council .
Telecommunications Advisory Commission
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Kris Wilson, Assistant City Administrator
SUBJECT: Future of Public Access Operations
DATE: February 7, 2008
Introduction
The City Council and the Telecommunications Commission are asked to discuss the
future of the City's Public Access Television facility, in light of the limited usage it
currently receives.
Background
Utilizing revenue from franchise fees and PEG fees collected from Comcast Cable, the
City currently operates a Public Access Television facility out of the Shakopee
Community Center. This facility consists of a studio space, where residents could come
and produce original programming for the public access channel, two edit suites that
provide the necessary computer equipment to edit video footage, storage for public
access equipment, staff workspace and space to check-out equipment to users. Currently,
the hours are 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to noon on
Saturday.
In recent years, we have spent in the neighborhood of $25,000 for basic operation of the
public access facility (rent, staff wages, basic supplies, modest advertising, etc.), plus
another $20,000 - $60,000 on equipment purchases. However, the facility receives very
limited use and it often seems like we are spending a significant amount of money and
staff time for a very small number of users. The actual studio space has not been used to
produce a show for over two and a half years, the edit suites have only been used a
handful of times in the past few years, and camera check-out is primarily to a single user.
(See. attached for additional detail about expenditures and usage for 2006 and 2007.)
Requested Action
The Council and Commission are asked to discuss the best course of action related to the
future of our public access operations and provide direction to staff regarding next steps.
Some issues to consider include:
1. When it comes to the various components of public access (the channel itself, the
studio space, the edit suites and the check-out equipment) what are our priorities?
2. Is our current approach the best use of the City's financial resources, staff time
and physical space?
3. Given the increasing. availability of affordable video cameras and the increasing
ability to broadcast video content over the Internet (YouTube, MySpace,
Facebook, etc.), is it realistic to expect that usage of our public access facility is
going to turn around?
4. Are there opportunities to partner with ourneighbors or possibly SCALE to
provide studio space and equipment check-out?
5. Is there a less costly method of checking out equipment that would serve the same
purpose but not take up the physical space or financial resources?
Telecom Revenue /Expenditures on Public Access 2006
Revenue
m~~~~ ro.~.~. . ~ __oo _
PEG Fees Franchise Fees Total
I'' Odarter $7,967. _ ............._....$63,559x . _._........._$71,526
. ....v
2n`~ Quarter .........~..$8,048...~... $66,416 _~.:.$74,464m.....~
r~.. ~
3 Quarter $7,892 $64,263 $72,,155
~~~4~' Cluarter ~ $8.268 $6,040 $73,3U2S
TOTAL $32,175 $259,278 $291,453
Expenditures
Rent (space at community center) $12,500.00
Staff $5,603.00
Supplies $2,000.00
Advertising $3,000.00
Subtotal $23,103.00
"One-Time" costs (only relating to Public Access)
Public Access Playback System $27,000.00 (half the cost of the full system)
Portable Studio $34,000.00
Field Camcorder $805.00
Subtotal $64,805.00
TOTAL $87,908
2006
Facility Hours
Mon., Tues., & Thurs. - 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Average 9 hrs/week, 36 hYS/month, 432 hrs/year
Facility Usage (hours)
Studio None
Edit Suites 27.75
Equipment Usage (checkouts per project)
Portable Studio 5
Field Cameras 31 (of which 17 were for 1 user)
Telecom Revenue /Expenditures on Public Access 2007 ?
Revenue
_ _ m~ ~
PEG Fees Franchise Fees Total
1St Quarter $8,252 40 X66,406.12 $74 658 52
2~Quarter~~~m ~ $8,297.60 $6~. l 64.32 $76 461 92
w ,
3rcT~~
Quarter 4; (,c>_ii4,.44 X77.702.24
Quartcr
TOTAL $300,000
(estimated)
Expenditures
Rent (space at community center) $12,500.00
Staff $9,482.00
Supplies ~ $2,000.00
Advertising $3,000.00
Subtotal $26,982.00
"One-Time" costs (only relating to Public Access)
Production/Bulletin Board Music $2,250.00. (half the cost of full system)
Facility Improvements $5,200.00 (desks, storage, shelving, etc)
.Equipment Inventory System $5,500.00
Duplication Equipment $7,000.00
Subtotal $ 19,950.00
TOTAL $46, 932
2007
Facility Hours
Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. to Noon
Average 1 S hNS/week, 60 hNS/month, 720 hrs/year
Facility Usage (hours)
Studio None
Edit Suites 25.75
Equipment Usage (checkouts)
Portable Studio 3
Field Cameras 65 (39 of which were to 1 user)
Telecom Revenue /Expenditures on Public Access 2008
Revenue
..m.... ....m.. ~
PEG Fees Franchise Fees Total
(quarter
2"a Quarter
3r~ Quarter
4rh (,quarter
TOTAL $309,000
(estimated)
Expenditures
Rent (space at community center) $12,500.00
Staff $9,482.00
Supplies $4,000.00
Advertising $10,000.00
Subtotal $35,982.00
"One-Time" costs (only relating to Public Access)
Live Web-Stream/Website $6,500.00
Finish Facility improvements $6,000.00 (curtains, backdrops)
Subtotal $ 12,500.00
TOTAL $ 48,482
2008
.Facility Hours
Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Sat.. 9 a.m. to Noon
Average 1 S hrs/week, 60 hrs/month, 720hrs/year
Facility Usage (hours)
Studio N/A
Edit Suites N/A
Equipment Usage (checkouts per project)
Portable Studio N/A
Field Cameras N/A