Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Minutes of March 19, 2009, telecom-board meeting

Telecommunication Board Meeting Meetings
March 19, 2009
Room 219, 113 West Mountain
5:30 P.M.

Aubrey Shepherd called the meeting to order. Board members present were Shepherd, Graves and Hilton. There was not a quorum and Mr. Shepherd indicated this would be an informational meeting only.
CAT Manager Sky Blaylock was present to give the CAT report. Chief of Staff Don Marr came in later in the meeting.
The first item discussed was the UATV Contract. The contract was first sent out in February 2008 but was not signed by the University of Arkansas. Mr. Shepherd indicated that a list of changes that the University of Arkansas thought would improve the contract and clarify the mission of UATV had not been received. Mr. Shepherd indicated that he had visited with the university this month about the contract and suggested that the Telecom Board look into the matter further. Mr. Shepherd indicated that he would be responsible for looking into the matter if the board so chose. Mr. Hilton enquired as to whom the contact person is and Mr. Shepherd said that the university lawyer would be the person handling it. Mr. Shepherd stated the UofA lawyer was contacted and had not responded and that maybe a personal phone call during business hours should be made. Mr. Shepherd stated the U of A lawyer had been contacted by email by a university of official from the station (UATV). Mr. Shepherd stated that did not work and that maybe somewhere in this building (Administration Building) there is a copy of the contract or the returned item. Mr. Shepherd further stated that since there was a new administration that we (Telecom Board) may or may not have access to it (returned item). Mr. Shepherd continues saying the resolution has been open since January 3, 2008. Mr. Hilton asked if there was anyone in the city who was a contact for the Telecom Board. Mr. Shepherd suggested that we could ask Mr. Marr to follow up on this. Mr. Shepherd said that Mr. Marr had been informed and he would contact him again but that he (Mr. Marr) had not been asked to personally to pursue the matter. Mr. Shepherd stated that Mr. Foley had tried to help us but he (Mr. Foley) assumed that the attorney no longer had a copy of it and that it was lost in process of people moving and changing. Mr. Shepherd states that they could re-write them for us if they still want the changes otherwise we can ask them to sign the same contract which our council (Fayetteville City Council) approved. Mr. Hilton states that the Telecom Board ordinance states that the Mayor is supposed to appointment someone from the city staff to support the Telecom Board and in light of the fact that there are two vacancies now in the department that used to do that he wondered if a request should be made to the Mayor who those people are. Mr. Shepherd stated that Mr. Marr said he would act in that capacity during the forum last month. Mr. Shepherd said further that he had addressed Mr. Marr by email regarding another item and had informed Mr. Marr that we would be meeting tonight and needed certain information. Mr. Shepherd suggested that was all that could be done with that particular item at the moment.
Mr. Shepherd asked if anyone had comments on the minutes from last month, Ms. Graves stated that the minutes could not be approved because there was not a quorum. Mr. Hilton stated he went over the minutes and did not notice anything.
Mr. Shepherd then proceeded to the AT&T U-verse. He stated he was hoping to get a full report and that they had some things in writing from AT&T. Sky Blaylock tried to show a video on the status of the FCC’s asking for public comment on the new system but was unable to access the video. Mr. Shepherd reported on a report from Cathy Foraker, Director of External Affairs of AT&T. Cathy said she was working in Little Rock and would not be able to attend. Mr. Jim Bemis asked to speak and was concerned that the AT&T survey only covered two of the PEG channels, Government Channel and CAT. Mr. Hilton informed Mr. Bemis that there were three of them in the survey. Mr. Shepherd continued with the report from Cathy Foraker.
Ms. Foracker’s report stated that, “AT&T Arkansas is pleased to present the following information regarding the launch of AT&T U-verse service in Northwest Arkansas. On December 19, 2008 the U-verse ten day launch notification letter was given to Mayor Dan Coody. On January 6, 2009 U-verse presentation to local elected officials was carried out. On the 7th there was a news conference at the AT&T store at Fiesta Square announcing the launch. All store materials now contain the disclaimer ‘check for availability’ “. Mr. Shepherd interjected that AT&T was now telling everyone that not everyone in out lying areas would have access to this. Ms. Foraker’s report continued, “On the 24th of January AT&T sent an overview and survey for the PEG Center directly to Don Marr Chief of Staff for Fayetteville, Arkansas. On January 30, 2009 the fourth quarter franchise fee payment was made to the City of Fayetteville. On February 11th AT&T received completed PEG service survey from Government, Education and Public Access channels”. Mr. Shepherd interjects that they do have a copy of the forms that Ms. Foraker was just talking about. Ms. Foraker continues, “February 20th the U-verse weather on demand portion was launched. On 26th of March there will be a PEG implementation plan meeting with the Government, Education and Public Access representatives with the AT&T PEG team”. Mr. Shepherd suggested that someone from the Telecommunications Board would want to attend in order to give a report to the board on what was learned. Ms. Foraker’s report continues that on going activities include direct mail of U-verse availability and door to door marketing to addresses that have the availability. AT&T retail stores also provide customer information. Complete pricing, packages and availability may be found at www.att.com”. The report ended with what Mr. Shepherd consider to be promotional material. Mr. Shepherd gave a price range of $49 per month to $109 per month and noted that there was a Latino version. Mr. Shepherd continued with discussion about the PEG survey. He mentions that the survey was completed on February 3 and returned to AT&T. He questioned what was done with the survey and stated that there was no one here to tell us. Ms. Graves states that at the top (of the survey) that there was a request for two channels. Mr. Hilton and Mr. Shepherd state this was a mistake and that it had been revised. Ms. Graves states she sees there was information for three and that she just did not want that to throw anyone off. Mr. Shepherd continues with a description of the survey for City 16 the Fayetteville Government Channel. The survey asked if the cable company inserted programming on the channel down stream from the local source. Mr. Hilton interjected that on the question of the cable company inserting program downstream from the local source, it needed to be mentioned the fact that there are several input points beside the two mentioned in the survey. Mr. Hilton stated he was unsure if they were going to be used but they were probably still in place and there might need to be a question about that. Mr. Hilton states there used to be one at the school (Fayetteville High School) but they were now inserting theirs with Channel 14 and he recommends checking on that (the downstream input points). Mr. Shepherd asked if the library had the capability, Mr. Hilton answered that they didn’t but at one time they had requested one during the franchise negotiations. Mr. Hilton stated there needed to be an assement. Mr. Shepherd mentioned the Quorum Court room at the courthouse and Mr. Hilton affirmed that the quorum court room does have an input point. Mr. Hilton suggested that there used to be 6 downstream inputs. Mr. Shepherd mentioned that there was no closed caption available and that there is no closed caption currently but that it would be nice. He did not know the cost of it or whether AT&T could provide it on their broadcast. Mr. Shepherd indicated he would wait to here from CAT Manager Sky Blaylock as to what she provided in the survey.
Mr. Shepherd then moved to the CAT Manager’s report. Ms. Blaylock stated that she does receive national bulletins, press releases and alerts. Ms. Blaylock passed out packets to the Telecom Board members with information. She indicated there would be discussion of U-verse at CAT’s upcoming Community Media Summit. Ms. Blaylock indicated that the last page of the packet contained information regarding the comment period being extended talking about the AT&T U-verse service. Ms. Blaylock indicated that the issue a lot of the PEG channels are having is their channels being located on channel 99. She indicated that there was a problem with the pricing packages. The cable operators have to offer a lower tier for the under served and the under privileged, AT&T U-verse 100 the lowest tier priced at $45 required another $15 to get the HD converter while the other packages had the converter included. She felt it was onerous for the underserved to have to pay another $15 for the HD converter on the U-verse basic tier. Ms. Blaylock indicated that the problem with PEG channels is that they are all located on channel 99. She indicated you have to locate it and the channel has to load up. She felt it was discriminatory because a lot of stations offer closed caption. She indicated you can’t channel surf and record using DVR. The main issue is the quality of the programming which is through a smaller file, the program want look as clean and clear compared to all of the other channels. Ms.Blaylock stated those were some of the problems the PEG Access channels were having and they are directing comments to the FCC to get a fairer approach because the cable companies were mandated to make the PEG channels equivalent to the other channels. Ms.Blaylock was glad the new technology was available but was concerned because it has problems with PEG which can be seen at the national level because of complaints to the FCC. She also provided a document by Charles Benton, of the Benton Foundation and who is appearing at the Community Media Summit by webinar, about getting to work on purposes of broadband grant program. This is a program designed to make broadband deployment happen in communities, especially in rural communities. Ms. Blaylock then described the Community Media Summit which is happening March 27-28 and being hosted by CAT and the Alliance for Community Media Southwest Region. She informed that there were people coming from a 10 state region. Mr. Shepherd invited her to go into greater detail of the events taking place at the summit. Mr. Shepherd asked about the ‘commercials’ that had been produced by CAT staff to promote this activity, Ms. Blaylock corrected him and said they were not commercials but promotionals and Mr. Shepherd asked if the government channel had shown any of the promotionals. Mr. Shepherd felt it was not only about CAT but also about the PEG channels. Ms. Blaylock indicated she would check into that and indicated that all of the events would be taped and played back so that anyone unable to attend would be able to view the events. Ms. Blaylock indicated that CAT received an $8000 grant to advertise the event and had submitted the promotional spot to the commercial stations as well as Cox.
The City 16 Television report was read by Mr. Shepherd. The report read: A damaged fiber cable was repaired by Cox on March 6th. AT&T is moving forward with placing the PEG channels on U-verse service. Neal Bilbe will be the point man and is supposed to meet Monday March 23 with AT&T along with Mark Warren, Sky Blaylock of Community Access and Daniel Phillips of UATV. City Attorney Kit Williams and Chief of Staff Don Marr were not available at that time. Mr. Shepherd questioned Ms. Blaylock about the meeting on March 26 which was previously discussed during the AT&T agenda item, he wanted to know if the 26th was a separate meeting and the 23rd was a technical meeting. Mr. Bemis asked to speak and referred to the March 26th meeting mentioned in the Cathy Foraker report and then mentioned the March 23rd technical meeting. He questioned that both meetings were crowded into one week and suggested he would like to have the meeting video taped by the government channel and as an aside wished that the government channel play some of the CAT programs mentioned earlier in the CAT Manager’s report. Mr. Bemis wanted clarification of the two meetings and did not know why the meetings were being held outside the board’s purview. Mr. Shepherd asked Ms. Blaylock what the purposes of the meetings were and she indicated she had not heard about the March 26th date. Ms. Graves indicated she thought the meetings were the same and that someone had simply gotten the dates wrong. Ms. Blaylock indicated she was only aware of the 23rd meeting. Ms. Graves asked if that was a one hour meeting and then stated that she suspected that the meeting was actually on the 23rd not the 26th. Mr. Shepherd indicated that they needed to find out exactly when the meeting is and Ms. Blaylock stated she did not know why it was not a public meeting. Ms. Blaylock felt it should be defined if it was a public meeting and that the government channel should be invited to tape the meeting. Mr. Shepherd agreed. Mr. Shepherd indicated that he was going to try and attend the meeting.
Mr. Shepherd went back to the City 16 Television report and brought up the Telecom Board roundtable brainstorming session on March 31st at 6:30pm at the PEG Center studio. Mr. Shepherd questioned as to whether we were ready to keep that date because of a lack of quorum at the meeting. Ms. Graves spoke and said she would rather not keep that date as she has something that conflicts. Mr. Hilton was asked by Mr. Shepherd for his thoughts and Mr. Hilton said it was fine with him if it was moved into the second week of April because of projects that he has which would not end until then. Public comment was asked for; Mr. Bemis spoke and said he agreed with Graves and Hilton and that the second week in April would be great because of all the meetings that were coming up. Mr. Shepherd said he would cancel the March 31st date and would consult with the board about rescheduling before the next Telecom Board meeting.
Compliments were asked for and Mr. Bemis stated he would like to compliment Ric DeLahoussaye for his service. Mr. Shepherd asked for other comments on Ric’s retirement and Ms. Graves stated she was unaware that Ric had retired. Mr. Shepherd also said he thought a great deal of Ric.
There were no complaints voiced.
Mr. Hilton gave a report on the February forum. Mr. Hilton stated he had paraphrased it and he directed everyone to the summary at the end. Mr. Hilton said that the rules of the entity as he heard them at the forum are that the Telecommunications Boards role is to advise the city council by recommending policies and actions. The city council’s role is to make final decisions on those recommendations in the form of ordinances and resolutions. The Mayor’s job is to see that those decisions are followed. The city staff’s role is to decide what procedures are to be used to accomplish the policies contained in the ordinances and resolutions. Mr. Hilton said it seemed fairly straightforward. Mr. Shepherd agreed. Mr. Hilton said he thought it was obvious that one of the key issues that came up, what is a policy and what is a procedure. During the forum it was mentioned policy and procedures needed to be thoroughly discussed and each defined and the government channel policy devised according to the findings. Public comment was asked for and Mr. Bemis stated he would like to see a full board discussion so that the full board would understand what we did at the forum and the public understand very clearly what is encompassed by the roles that are outlined. Mr. Bemis stated he was still confused about how procedures are developed by the city to mirror the policies. Mr. Bemis addressed Ms. Graves and said he felt she was concerned that we had not really pinpointed some of the things that had caused some of the issues. He asked that the specific point be looked at in the brainstorming session. Mr. Bemis stated that before Ms. Thomas left she was preparing some procedures and it was not clear to Mr. Bemis how the board would have a role in approving those procedures or if they do. Mr. Bemis stated that which every way it comes out is fine but just to pinpoint those responsibilities. She (Ms.Thomas) was asked by Ms. Bell last October based on a complaint, to prepare a list of the staff responsibilities. Mr. Bemis felt like those issues related directly to how procedures and staffing tie to policy. Mr. Hilton said the ideal of transparency was discussed also. He said that it was stated that there was much controversy from government channel policy revisions that were made in February 2006 and October 2008 and there were several opinions that transparency was not practiced in those revisions which was caused by two actions, policy being transformed into procedure and the Telecom Board Sub-Committee on policy and procedures was bypassed. Also the cities Chief of Staff stated that the administration is committed to using a very open and transparent process and will be very open about what they want to change, why they want to change it and why they believed it should be changed. Interest was expressed in forming a task force to review the present Telecommunications Board Ordinance for possible changes because of technology changes, the laws and the comprehensiveness of the present ordinance. It was suggested that several sub-committees could be formed to deal separately with such things as the government channel, educational and public access channel. Interest was expressed in doing a communications audit for the City of Fayetteville to determine where we are. The then upcoming brainstorming session was discussed to talk about some of the specific ways to deal with some of the telecommunications issues and help prepare for revisiting the government channel policy.
Mr. Hilton mentioned the vacancies on the board and no one applying for it. Mr. Shepherd stated he knew it was advertised. Mr. Marr stated there were no applicants and no appointments were made at the city council meeting.
Mr. Hilton questioned Mr. Marr about the former structure in the city staff as to who would now be the support person that the mayor is going to appoint for the Telecom Board. Mr. Shepherd stated that he had said it was Mr. Marr. Mr. Marr stated that there was reorganization at the city of the organizational chart. Mr. Marr stated that as it related to staff and telecommunications, because Ric retired it was another change at the PEG Center related to government channel staff. A job was posted originally for Cable Administration position but after meeting with staff it was determined that Ric’s position was actually Office Coordinator position. In the budget reformation last year that position technically was given to the Yvonne Richardson Center so the PEG Center government channel staff was reduced by one but the position that remained was the Cable Administrator because it was a higher graded position. After meeting with Ric, Frou, Steve and Neal it was determined that there was not a job description that Mayor Jordan really wanted. There were positions in both the Office Coordinator and the Cable Administrator positions. Mr. Marr stated that the staff at the PEG Center will ultimately report to the Director of Communications, which has not been hired yet and is Susan Thomas’s old role. Mr. Marr stated he was fulfilling that position currently. It was determined that more programming was wanted by the government channel to highlight city services to introduce city staff where it was not just the reporting of meetings. The job description was rewritten to Government Channel Division Manager. That will be the direct staff member assigned to the Telecommunications Board, with the support of Director of Communications of Marketing. Mr. Marr stated that the reason the government channel management position was reorganized was because the public access and educational channel was outsourced and the management duties related to the government channel management only. The position that will coordinate with the other positions will be the Director of Communications and Marketing. Ms. Graves asked Mr. Marr if the direct liaison with the Telecom Board would be the new government channel manager. Mr. Marr stated the Telecom Board would actually have two, the Government Channel Manager and the actual policy advisor would be the Director of Communications and Marketing. Mr. Shepherd asked where the new position had been advertised. Mr. Marr answered it had been advertised on the city web site and in the state newspaper. Mr. Shepherd asked about an item concerning advertising that had been on the City Council’s agenda and wanted to know if they had changed anything about that. Mr. Marr answered that the item was tabled for further study but indicated that does not affect job postings.
Mr. Marr invited the board to the upcoming Fayetteville Forward Summit starting March 31st. He also gave a brief description of the events.
Mr. Shepherd asked Mr. Marr about UATV contract that could not be found. Mr. Marr said they would research Ms. Thomas’s work files and if it was not there that they would have some dialog with Mr. Foley about it.
Mr. Marr was asked about the meeting with AT&T as to what the correct date is and Mr. Marr stated it was March 23rd on his calendar and that he was going to try to attend. There was further discussion about the two dates and Mr. Marr indicated he was not familiar with the March 26th meeting and said he would confirm the meeting and send notification.
Mr. Hilton brought up the open position on the Telecom Board and suggested that it should be advertised on the government channel bulletin board. Mr. Shepherd agreed and Mr. Marr indicated he would be happy to see that it was advertised.
Ms. Blaylock wanted to know if the AT&T meeting could be videotaped and if someone from the Telecom Board or someone from the city could be on the policy panel at the summit. Mr. Marr indicated that either he or the city attorney would be on the panel. Mr. Marr indicated he needed to talk with them (AT&T) and if we could we would film (tape) it.
Mr. Hilton moved for adjournment and Ms. Graves seconded.
Minutes Prepared by Steve Odom
March 31, 2009

Friday, March 27, 2009

Please go to CAT's Community Media Summit Web pages for schedule of events today and Saturday

Community Media Summit
Greetings from Community Access Television. We are pleased to announce
CAT Fayetteville is hosting the Create~Connect~Community Media Summit at the Cosmopolitan Hotel on the historic Fayetteville downtown square March 27-28.

The idea is to bring together community media makers, artists, activists, and advocates beginning a dialogue about how community media will thrive and continue to be a rich source of news, ideas, and inspiration. We are reaching out regionally in areas of community radio and TV, print media, visual arts, music, theatre, and entities using the internet. Our goal is to create a networking and educational event involving community media and anyone who values free speech, localism, inclusion, diversity, creativity, and media literacy.

*Events include:
Luncheon Workshop with Paper Tiger TV, Media & Democracy: The Next
Frontier
Opening Session Speaker, Mr. Charles Benton of the Benton Foundation
Workshops/Panels on Outreach & Diversity, New Media 2.0, Future Media
Policy
Show Your Stuff Trade Show with local and national vendors
Video Reception on Friday night - submit Your video today!
Alliance for Community Media Regional Meeting
Freedom Stage - Your chance to Speak or Perform publicly
FAT CAT Awards Banquet

There are a variety of ways you can participate:
We invite you to set up a table at our Show Your Stuff Trade Show (rates
on registration form).
We are also having a Show Your Stuff Video Reception which is free to
attend and only $10 to enter your video
(10 min. or less) to play on the big screen.
The Freedom Stage will be set up throughout the day on Saturday and
provide an opportunity to speak or perform for 5 minutes. This is similar
to our Short Takes at CAT which we offer free twice weekly.
The workshops/panels that are planned are on three main subjects:
Outreach - how you as an artist, non-profit, or local business owner can reach the public with emphasis on inclusion and diversity. Media 2.0 -
how you can use the new digital tools and social networking sites to enhance your message. Policy - how local and national legislators affect policy on media and how to keep media open and accessible to the People.
The FAT CAT Awards Banquet will be the grand finale of the Summit and will celebrate our C.A.T. Producers who aired shows in 2008. This is our red carpet catered event with 10 categories for producers to enter. If you would like to be a judge for this event, please contact us at: 479-444-3433 or email heather@catfayetteville.org
Please check out the official website at: summit.catfayetteville.org Community Media Summit for details. See flyer and registration form attached.
In Community,
Jori Costello, CAT Fayetteville Outreach Specialist
Community Access Television
101 W. Rock Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
watch online at: www.catfayetteville.org

Schedule
Friday, March 27, 2009
noon-6:30pm - Registration - top of stairs
4-6pm - (FULBRIGHT ROOM) ACM SW Regional Meeting
6-9pm - (PIKE ROOM)Video Reception -
FREE and open to the public $10 to show your video - 10 minutes or less

Saturday, March 28, 2009
8am-4:00pm - Registration - top of stairs
8am-5pm (GARLAND ROOM) Trade Show
8-9am - (GARLAND ROOM) Opening Session Speaker with Contintental Breakfast - Webinar with Mr. Charles Benton of the Benton Foundation
9-10:30am - (GARLAND ROOM) Outreach Workshop/Panel - "Diversity Discussion"
9-10:30am - (McILROY ROOM) Raising Funds for Your Independent Film
9:30-10:30 - (PEG CENTER) PEG Center Tour
10:30-11am - (GARLAND ROOM)Entertainment - Everyone Can Sing Community Choir
11-12:30pm - (GARLAND ROOM) LUNCH with Keynote Speaker - PaPeR TiGeR TeLeViSioN -"Media Democracy:
The New Frontier"
12:30-1pm (GARLAND ROOM) Entertainment - Mashburn Scholarship Recipients present "Love or Money"
1-5pm (GARLAND ROOM) Freedom Stage
1-2:30pm - (McILROY ROOM) Media 2.0 Workshop/Panel - "New Media and YOU"
1-1:30pm - (UATV) UATV Tour
2-3pm - (UA LEMKE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM) Free Speech Lecture Dr. Steve Sheppard
3-4:30pm - (McILORY ROOM) Policy Workshop/Panel - "The State of Community Media Today and Tomorrow"
6-9pm (CAT STUDIO) FAT CAT Awards Banquet
Community Media Summit

Monday, March 23, 2009

U-verse information from AT&T meeting with members of the staff of the PEG Center, UATV, FHSTV, the mayor's office and the Telecom board

Aubrey Shepherd's comment on the meeting:
While it was not a public meeting, it was important that both the administration (represented by Don Marr), the telecom board, and by extension the city council, (represented by me and by Andy Mayes) were present to gather information and hear promises made in the "closed" meeting. The technical representatives for government channel, CAT channel, FHS and UATV were the ones who best understood most of the information and will be meeting with technical people in coming weeks to plan the logistics of getting the signal on the AT&T system from the different sites. Both the administration and the board are among those who NEED TO KNOW what the requirements are, particularly for budgeting and for planning how to address questions from the voting and consuming public.
A special request from Mr. Mayes, who is both a member of the Telecom Board and an employee of the Fayetteville school system, was that AT&T provide a fourth channel so that FHS and the UA be able to provide programing separately for 24 hours, 7 days a week. Everyone else attending the meeting appeared to agree to the value of that request.
The AT&T official presenting at the meeting through a conference call agreed to discuss that possibility with his superiors.
It was an important and valuable meeting.

Andy Mayes' comment on the meeting:
While it is true the meeting was mostly logistical in nature, I think that those of us there collectively brought out several good points about concerns over the quality and availability of U-Verse service overall. AT&T attempted to address those concerns and I think a brief report of those responses at the next regular Telecom board meeting would be appropriate.
Next steps are for engineering assessments to occur within the next couple of weeks, and for AT&T to present a specific proposal for implementing distribution of Fayetteville’s public access channels over U-Verse.
We should bear in mind that it is not yet a given that these services will be implemented for public access channels in the city, as there is still some negotiation to be done regarding the presence of these channels on U-Verse at all and if so in what form. There are also several implementation and funding issues that will require follow-up negotiations with the various entities concerned whether we gain an additional channel or not.
Thanks to the PEG center staff for capturing the meeting on video, it would be great if we could get something worthy of posting online from that!
Best,
Andy

PEG information from AT&T part 1

Please click on images to ENLARGE for reading.

PEG information from AT&T part 2

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

PEG information from AT&T part 3

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

PEG information from AT&T part 4

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

PEG information from AT&T part 5

Please click on image to ENLARGE.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Sometime late Saturday, the Government Channel, City 16, lost its audio feed, and the chances of someone who works there coming in on Sunday are low

Saturday silent showings at 9:00 p.m. HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, MARCH 19
and 11:00 p.m. PARTNERS FOR BETTER HOUSING, MARCH 19

Below is today's schedule. Tune in and enjoy the Sound of Silence.
Or maybe have a party and let everyone speak what they think is appropriate when the different participants appear to speak up.
Or use this link for appropriate music: A later video of the Sound of Silence

Friday, March 20, 2009

March 22-28, 2009, government-channel CITY 16 schedule

FAYETTEVILLE CITY16
GOVERNMENT CHANNEL PROGRAM GUIDE
March 22 - 28, 2009
City 16 Fayetteville Government Channel Program Guide

SUNDAY, MARCH 22
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. U of A Historical Preservation Master Plan Presentation
7:30 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
Fayetteville Forward Stories
8:00 a.m. FPL: Adult Winter Read
SIFE/City Partner on LIGHTS
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, MARCH 19
9:45 a.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories
10:00 a.m. PARTNERS FOR BETTER HOUSING BOARD, MARCH 19
10:45 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
1:00 p.m. AIRPORT BOARD MEETING, MARCH 18
2:30 p.m. Light Rail Transit System: Success & Failure Stories
3:30 p.m. Speeding: What You Need To Know
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE MEETING, MARCH 12
5:30 p.m. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS MEETING, MARCH 12
6:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING, MARCH 17
7:45 p.m. Tony Furtado And The American Gypsies Gulley Park Concert
9:45 p.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories
10:00 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
11:00 p.m. Gulley Park Summer Concert Series 2000: Jason D. Williams


MONDAY, MARCH 23
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. Light Rail Transit System: Political Perspectives
7:00 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2
8:00 a.m. Crime Prevention and You; Cars, Kids, and Sun: A Deadly Combination
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. AIRPORT BOARD MEETING, MARCH 18
10:30 a.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories
11:00 a.m. HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, MARCH 19
11:45 a.m. Three Bridge Scull Creek Crossing
12:00 p.m. PARTNERS FOR BETTER HOUSING BOARD, MARCH 19
1:45 p.m. City Wellness Program Heart Health
2:30 p.m. Kid's Bike Safety Rodeo 2008
3:00 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
Fayetteville Forward Summit Info
5:30 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, !!LIVE!!
8:30 p.m. WATER AND SEWER MEETING, MARCH 19
10:05 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
10:35 p.m. Gulley Park Summer Concert Series 2000: Jason D. Williams

TUESDAY, MARCH 24
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2
7:00 a.m. Light Rail Transit System: Success & Failure Stories
8:00 a.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
Fayetteville Forward Stories
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00a.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, MARCH 23
12:00 p.m. FAYETEVILLE COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOODS , MARCH 19
1:00 p.m. City Wellness Program: Heart Health
1:40 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
2:00 p.m. WATER AND SEWER MEETING, MARCH 19
3:30 p.m. Speeding: What You Need To Know
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Crime Prevention and You; Cars, Kids, and Sun: A Deadly Combination
5:15 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
5:45 p.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories #1
6:00 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, MARCH 23
9:00 p.m. TELECOM BOARD MEETING, MARCH 19
10:30 p.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories #1
Animals That Need Homes Now!
11:00 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2
7:00 a.m. Light Rail Transit System: Success & Failure Stories.
8:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
8:30 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
Fayetteville Forward Stories
9:00 a.m. FIREMEN’S PENSION FUND MEETING, MARCH 12
11:00 a.m. QUORUM COURT MEETING, MARCH 12
1:00 p.m. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION, MARCH 12
2:30 p.m. Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary
3:15 p.m. FPL: Adult Winter Read
3:45 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
4:15 p.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories
4:30 p.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 p.m. Arkansas & It’s State Police: Michael Lindsey
6:00 p.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
Fayetteville Forward Stories
6:30 p.m. AIRPORT BOARD MEETING, MARCH 18
8:00 p.m. Kid's Bike Safety Rodeo 2008
8:30 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, MARCH 23
11:30 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
Fayetteville Forward Stories
12:00 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2

THURSDAY, MARCH 26
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. Crime Prevention and You; Cars, Kids, and Sun: A Deadly Combination
6:45 p.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories
7:00 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2
8:15 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. TELECOM BOARD MEETING, MARCH 19
10:30 a.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
Fayetteville Forward Sunmmit Info
11:00 a.m. FAYETEVILLE COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOODS, MARCH 19
12:00 p.m. City Wellness Program: Heart Health
12:40 p.m. City of Fayetteville Wellness Program Andy Core
1:00 p.m. WATER AND SEWER MEETING, MARCH 19
2:30 p.m. Sustainability Summit: Dan Sanker Green Valley Network
3:00 p.m. Yvonne Richardson Community Center Champs Camp
4:15 p.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories
4:30 p.m. Community Events Calendar
6:00 p.m. QUORUM COURT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE !!LIVE!!
9:00 p.m. FIREMEN’S PENSION FUND MEETING, MARCH 12
11:00 p.m. Gulley Park Summer Concert Series 2000:Jason D. Williams


FRIDAY, MARCH 27
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2
7:15 a.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
8:15 a.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. QUORUM COURT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, MARCH 26
12:00 p.m. TELECOM BOARD MEETING, MARCH 19
1:30 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
Fayetteville Forward Sunmmit Info
2:00 p.m. U of A Historical Preservation Master Plan Presentation
3:15 p.m. Crime Prevention and You; Cars, Kids, and Sun: A Deadly Combination
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2
5:45 p.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
6:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING, MARCH 17
7:15 p.m. FPL: Tim Ernst: Cloudland Journal & Slideshow
8:45 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
9:15 p.m. Gulley Park Concert Series 2000: River City Band
11:30 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2


SATURDAY, MARCH 28
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. Yvonne Richardson Community Center Champs Camp
7:15 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2
Fayetteville Forward Stories
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. FIREMEN’S PENSION FUND MEETING, MARCH 12
11:00 a.m. HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, MARCH 19
11:45 a.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories
12:00 p.m. City Wellness Program: Heart Health
Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
1:00 p.m. PARTNERS FOR BETTER HOUSING BOARD, MARCH 19
2:40 p.m. Fayetteville Forward Sunmmit Info
2:45 p.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
3:00 p.m. Crime Prevention and You; Cars, Kids, and Sun: A Deadly Combination
3:45 p.m. Fayetteville Forward Stories
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. FAYETEVILLE COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOODS, MARCH 19
5:30 p.m. City Wellness Program: Heart Health
5:35 p.m. Fayetteville Forward Sunmmit Info
5:40 p.m. Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library
6:30 p.m. QUORUM COURT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, MARCH 26
9:30 p.m. Gulley Park Concert Series 2000: River City Band
11:30 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #2
Solar Project @Fayeteville Public Library

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

AT&T report to telecom board for March 19, 2009

March 17, 2009
To: Members of the Fayetteville Telecommunications Board
From: Cathy Foraker, Director- External Affairs, AT&T Arkansas

AT&T Arkansas is pleased to present the following information regarding the launch of “AT&T U-Verse” service in Northwest Arkansas:
12/19/08 U-verse 10-day launch notification letter presented to Mayor Dan Coody
01/06/09 U-verse presentation to area elected officials
01/07/09 News conference at AT&T Store in Fiesta Square to announce launch of U-verse
All store materials contain the disclaimer “Check for availability”
01/24/09 AT&T PEG Overview and PEG Service Survey sent to Don Marr, Chief of Staff, Fayetteville, AR
01/30/09 4th Quarter Franchise Fee payment to the City of Fayetteville
02/11/09 AT&T received completed PEG Service Survey from Government, Education and Public Channels
02/20/09 U-Verse Weather On Demand launched
03/26/09 60-minute PEG implementation plan meeting scheduled with representatives from the Government, Education and Public Channels with the AT&T PEG team

Ongoing activities include Direct Mail notification of U-verse availability to specific addresses and door-to-door marketing to addresses with U-verse availability. AT&T retail stores also provide customer information and sales. Complete pricing information including packages, promotions, channel lineup and features can be found at www.att.com. This site also provides an easy check for availability at a specific address with the option to be notified via an e-mail alert once the service is available at a specific address.

AT&T U-verse Television
Enjoy a crystal-clear picture along with features including available digital video recording (DVR) with “whole home” feature, Video on Demand, optional access to as many as 100 High Definition channels and growing (more than twice the HD options of local competition), and choice programming—all at a competitive price!
U100 Starting at $49/mo. up to 120 of the most viewed channels
U-family Starting at $49/mo. up to 70 channels of family focused programming
U200 Starting at $64/mo. up to 220 channels with sports, entertainment,
and more

U200 Latino Starting at $74/mo. up to 240 channels with Paquete Español, sports,
entertainment, and more

U300 Starting at $79/mo. up to 290 channels including the Movie Package

U450 Starting at $109/mo. up to 360 channels including 95 HD channels,
HBO®, Cinemax®, the Sports Package, and the Movie Package

• HD-ready receiver with advanced DVR at no additional cost on all packages except U100 (add $15/mo.)
• Record up to four programs at once on a single DVR, playback on any TV in the home
• Program your DVR from anywhere using your web-enabled PC or a wireless phone
• Wireless home networking and professional installation at no charge




AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet
U-verse enabled AT&T High Speed Internet is leading the industry, providing the security, protection, and amazing speed customers deserve, along with built-in wireless home networking, with downstream speeds up to 18Mbps.
1.5 Mbps Express Starting at $25/mo.
3.0 Mbps Pro Starting at $30/mo.
6.0 Mbps Elite Starting at $35/mo.
10.0 Mbps Max Starting at $55/mo.
18.0 Mbps Max 18 Starting at $65/mo.

AT&T U-verse Voice digital home phone service
AT&T U-verse Voice digital home phone service delivers extraordinary value, dynamic voice mail, and powerful features that let you be in control.
AT&T U-verse Voice - 1000 (US, Canada, Puerto Rico) $25/mo.
AT&T U-verse Voice - Unlimited (US, Canada, Puerto Rico) $30/mo.


*All prices as of 1/16/2009

Saturday, March 14, 2009

March 15-21, 2009, government-channel schedule

FAYETTEVILLE CITY16
GOVERNMENT CHANNEL PROGRAM GUIDE
March 15-21, 2009
City 16 Fayetteville Government Channel Program Guide

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2009
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. Business Forecast 2009
8:15 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMITTEE, MARCH 9
9:45 a.m. SIFE City Partner on LIGHTS Project
10:00 a.m. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS MEETING, MARCH 12
11:00 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
12:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA SESSION MARCH 10
1:00 p.m. Kid’s Bike Safety Rodeo 2008
1:30 p.m. Solving Barking Dog Problems
2:00 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, MARCH 9
3:00 p.m. SPECIAL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, MARCH 9
3:30 p.m. FPL Adult Winter Read
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE, MARCH 12
5:30 p.m. Kid’s Bike Safety Rodeo 2008
6:00 p.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
6:15 p.m. SIFE City Partner on LIGHTS Project
6:30 p.m. QUORUM COURT, MARCH 12
8:30 p.m. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION, MARCH 12
10:00 p.m. FPL Adult Winter Read
10:30 p.m. U of A Facilities Management Historical Preservation Master Plan

MONDAY, MARCH 16
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. Yvonne Richardson Community Center Champs Camp
7:15 a.m. Fayette Junction Master Plan Community Presentation
8:00 a.m. SIFE City Partner on LIGHTS Project
FPL Adult Winter Read 6
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, MARCH 10
10:00 a.m. Arkansas & It’s State Police:Michael Lindsey
11:00 a.m. ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMITTEE, MARCH 9
11:45 a.m. FFD Smoke & Carbon Monoxide
12:00 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, MARCH 9
1:00 p.m. SPECIAL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, MARCH 9
1:30 p.m. Solving Barking Dog Problems
2:00 p.m. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS MEETING, MARCH 12
3:00 p.m. Rain Barrel Construction
3:30 p.m. FPL Adult Winter Read
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Yvonne Richardson Community Center Champs Camp
5:45 p.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
6:00 p.m. Kid’s Bike Safety Rodeo 2008
6:30 p.m. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE, MARCH 12
7:30 p.m. FIREMEN’S PENSION FUND MEETING, MARCH 12
9:30 p.m. QUORUM COURT MEETING, MARCH 12
11:30 p.m. Yvonne Richardson Community Center Champs Camp

TUESDAY, MARCH 17
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. FIREMEN’S PENSION FUND MEETING, MARCH 12
8:00 a.m. Solving Barking Dog Problems
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, MARCH 10
10:00 a.m. Sustainability Summit: Winrock International
11:00 a.m. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS MEETING, MARCH 12
12:00 p.m. Business Forecast 2009
2:15 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
3:00 p.m. U of A Facilities Management Historical Preservation Master Plan
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Kid’s Bike Safety Rodeo 2008
5:00 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
6:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING !LIVE! , MARCH 17
10:00 p.m. Yvonne Richardson Community Center Champs Camp
11:15 p.m. U of A Facilities Management Historical Preservation Master Plan

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. Cate Brothers 2005 Gulley Park Concert
8:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
8:30 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
8:45 a.m. FFD Smoke & Carbon Monoxide
9:00 a.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING , MARCH 17
1:00 p.m. SPECIAL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, MARCH 9
2:00 p.m. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE, MARCH 12
3:00 p.m. Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Solving Barking Dog Problems
5:30 p.m. Kid’s Bike Safety Rodeo 2008
6:00 p.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
6:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING , MARCH 17
10:30 p.m. Yvonne Richardson Community Center Champs Camp
11:45 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1

THURSDAY, MARCH 19
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. Feed The World Forum Keynote Speaker
7:30 a.m. Sustainability Summit: U of A Applied sustainability Center
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMITTEE, MARCH 9
9:45 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
10:00 a.m. SPECIAL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, MARCH 9
10:30 a.m. AIRPORT BOARD MEETING, MARCH 18
12:30 p.m. QUORUM COURT, MARCH 12
2:30 p.m. FIREMEN’S PENSION FUND MEETING, MARCH 12
4:30 p.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 p.m. Solving Barking Dog Problems
5:30 p.m. FPL: Social Entrepreneur Parents Alliance
6:30 p.m. FPL Adult Winter Read
7:00 p.m. TELECOM BOARD MEETING !!LIVE!!, MARCH 19
9:00 p.m. AIRPORT BOARD MEETING, MARCH 18
11:00 p.m. Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan

FRIDAY, MARCH 20
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. Feed The World Panel Discussion
7:45 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
8:00 a.m. Rain Barrel Construction
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. TELECOM BOARD MEETING, MARCH 19
11:00 a.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING , MARCH 17
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Solving Barking Dog Problems
5:00 p.m. FAYETTEVILLE COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOODS, MARCH 19
7:00 p.m. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS MEETING, MARCH 12
8:00 p.m. HISTORICAL DISTRICT COMMISSION, MARCH 12
9:30 p.m. Kid’s Bike Safety Rodeo 2008
10:00 p.m. AIRPORT BOARD MEETING, MARCH 18



SATURDAY, MARCH 21
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. FAYETTEVILLE COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOODS, MARCH 19
8:00 a.m. Solving Barking Dog Problems
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING, MARCH 17
1:00 p.m. HISTORICAL DISTRICT COMMISSION, MARCH 12
3:00 p.m. WATER & SEWER MEETING, MARCH 19
4:30 p.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 p.m. FIREMEN’S PENSION FUND MEETING, MARCH 12
7:00 p.m. TELECOM BOARD MEETING, MARCH 19
9:00 p.m. HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD, MARCH 19
11:00 p.m. PARTNERS FOR BETTER HOUSING, MARCH 19

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Minutes of February 19, 2009, telecom-board meeting

Telecommunication Board Meeting Minutes
February 19, 2009
Room 219, 113 West Mountain
5:30 p.m.


Board members present were Sales, Graves, Shepherd, Hilton and Mayes. Also in attendance: University Of Arkansas Television (UATV) Station Manager Dan Phillips, and Community Access Television (CAT) Manager Sky Blaylock.
Approval of January 15, 2009 Minutes
Graves moved to approve the minutes.
The second was unidentified and the motion passed.
Adoption Of The Agenda
Sales moved to adopt the agenda
Graves seconded the motion.
The motion passed.
UATV Television Report
Station manager Dan Phillips reported that the station is seen 126 hours a week with six hours a week as first run, original programming.
The station has one new program, Beyond the Sound Bite, a one-hour long panel discussion with the first topic being illegal immigration.
They also have a new import from Drexel University that is 30 minutes long.
UATV recently installed a new audio board and are close to having all programming on the internet at uatv.uark.edu
Fayetteville High School is airing their Friday basketball games live.
UATV is currently aired in Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville as well as Fayetteville on channel 14.
Mayes expressed his appreciation for UATV’s flexibility allowing FHS to air the games.
Phillips said the UATV contract with the City is unsigned because it is thought to be out of date and not representative of the station. He said revisions were made and sent back to the City but with Dr. Thomas leaving last December, it is uncertain where those revisions are. UATV however, is willing to continue negotiating the contract should the City wish.
Graves moved to gather the information on the suggested changes to the UATV contract for board review and recommendation on how the City might proceed.
The second was unidentified.
The motion passed

AT&T U-verse
Hilton said that AT&T’s information on this service mentions a site visit and wondered if it has happened or if it is planned. Hilton also noted that the U-verse agreement with AT&T states there is supposed to be an annual report by AT&T about the service.

Blaylock said the Alliance for Community Media has followed U-verse and found PEG channels are not available to everyone who subscribes, Peg channels are in an inferior channel (99) spot and it is documented that AT&T has bypassed local franchising authorities in many places.
Hilton also asked if written notice has been received that AT&T has the capability to provide technical access.

Shepherd said he would send a written request for a report on the items Hilton mentioned.

Cox Communications Report
Shepherd said Cox was invited to the meeting but was unable to attend but will again invite them to the March meeting.

CAT Report
Blaylock reminded the board of the Community Media Summit March 27 & 28, 2009 and added that CAT got an $8,000 grant from the Benton Foundation. She said they are seeking access channels outside the region as there are so few within the region. Lastly, she said the FAT CAT awards will be awarded during the summit.

Shepherd suggested to Blaylock that the Short Take program be not recorded on re-recordable DVDs as appearances could be taped over and unseen due to something like the recent January power outage.

Blaylock agreed and will change the practice at CAT.

Compliments
None

Complaints
Shepherd read the AT&T response to a previous complaint about the availability of
U-verse service in Fayetteville.

Hilton suggested that the board vote on whether complaints are adequately addressed.

Mayes suggested that when AT&T reports to the board they give an update on the rollout of U-verse in Fayetteville.

Hilton moved that they approve the response to the complaint.

The second was unidentified.

The motion passed.

Subcommittee Report on Forum Planning
Hilton said that Walt Eilers will be the moderator of the February 24, 2009 forum on the Governance of the Government Channel. He said and that there has been no word from the Mayor’s office on having a representative there and the City Attorney has said he is not available. Participants will be
Angie Graves, Telecom Board member
Fred Cusanelli, Telecom Board member
Andy Mayes, Telecom Board member
Marvin Hilton, Telecom Board member
Aubrey Shepherd, Telecom Board Chairman
Jim Bemis, Citizen Representing Complainants

Hilton read the list of questions formulated by the subcommittee.

1. Which City of Fayetteville entities shall have administrative responsibility for recommending and implementing the Fayetteville Government Channel Policy and Procedures?

Hilton moved to accept this question for the forum.
Graves made the second.
The motion passed.

2. What are the formal working relationships between the City Council, Telecommunications Board and the City Staff as established by City ordinances?

Hilton moved to accept this question for the forum.
Graves made the second.
The motion passed.

3. What is the definition of “policy” and what is the definition of “procedure”?

Hilton moved to accept this question for the forum.
Graves made the second.
The motion passed.

4. Which of the following entities, City Council, Telecommunications Board, or City Staff has “ownership” and legal responsibility for the FGC policies and procedures?

Hilton moved to accept this question for the forum.
Graves made the second.
The motion passed.


5. Which of these entities (mentioned in question #4) define the “policy” and “procedures” that apply to the Fayetteville Government Channel and other PEG Center electronic media facilities?

Hilton moved to accept this question for the forum.
Graves made the second.
The motion passed.

6. What are the reasons for having issue forums on the Government Channel that are requested by citizens?

Hilton noted that the complaint that this forum came from was that the process was not properly followed in constructing the new policy.

Graves thought this last question should not be asked at the February 24 forum.

Mayes agreed as did complainant Jim Bemis.

Mayes moved to omit question #6 from the forum.
Graves made the second.
The motion passed.

Hilton asked that since the forum will take place within the context of a TCB meeting should the board allow votes to be taken.

Mayes said that was discussed in the forum planning meeting and it was decided that no votes would be taken.

Graves agreed that the special board meeting would not be merged with official business.

Hilton asked how they planned to use the information that comes out of the forum.

Shepherd said the notes of the forum will give them ideas for board motions.

Graves said she hoped they would get to some working relationships, protocol and process between the entities. To that end, she suggested re-inviting the City Attorney’s office, and a representative of the Mayor’s office and City Council.

Mayes agreed and said at least they should get written responses to the questions.

Bemis also agreed that dialogue is needed.

Shepherd stressed the desire for public input at the February 24th forum either in person, by phone or email as it will be aired LIVE.


Internet Subcommittee Report
Shepherd asked for a volunteer or nomination to chair the subcommittee as former member Bell was the chair but is no longer a board member. He has the DVDs of the three subcommittee meetings for the new chair to review in order to get up to speed. He added that the subcommittee does not need to meet before the March TCB meeting.
Other subcommittee members are Bemis, Shepherd, Ward 2 Alderman Petty, and CAT Board Vice Chair Leaf.

Mayes volunteered to chair the committee as long as it is not a committee of one.

An informal voice vote was in favor of Mayes as Internet Subcommittee chair.

Policy & Procedures Subcommittee Report
Hilton suggested that any further work in this subcommittee should follow the February 24th forum and the yet to be scheduled brainstorming session.

Graves and Bemis agreed.

Hilton suggested roundtable seating at the PEG Center studio for the brainstorming session.

Bemis suggested the board discuss and define what a brainstorming session is since it is not mentioned in the policy & procedures.

Mayes said the nature of a brainstorming session is unstructured and moved that the session be scheduled before the March 19 TCB meeting if possible.

Hilton suggested that the brainstorming session should follow the March TCB discussion of the February 24 forum.

Mayes suggested the board address all the outstanding items of the Bemis complaint before they attempt to take any action.

Graves agreed.

It was then decided to tape the session for replay on the City 16 channel.

Hilton made the second to Mayes motion.

The motion passed.

Shepherd said he would make the reservation “at the CAT studio.”

Old Business
Bemis suggested that his complaint dated Nov 17, 2008 be taken up at the next Policy & Procedures Subcommittee for resolution.

New Business
Bemis referred to a Mayes comment of how the city can get more bandwidth for another education channel. He claimed AT&T and Cox could provide it with the switch to digital television.

Mayes said the school system would like an additional channel but the board should deal with current issues before considering an additional channel.

Citizen Comment
Shepherd said he thought this a useful agenda item and so added it.

Agenda For March Meeting
Hilton suggested the UATV contract and AT&T U-verse update.

Graves suggested reports from the forum and brainstorming session.

Bemis suggested the board send a representative to the Community Media Summit in March.

Adjournment
With no additional agenda items or discussion, Shepherd declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:10 p.m.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

March 8-14 schedule for City 16

FAYETTEVILLE CITY 16
GOVERNMENT CHANNEL PROGRAM GUIDE
MARCH 8-14, 2009

SUNDAY MARCH 8
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary: Burn 2
5:30 a.m. FPL: Adult Winter Read
6:00 a.m. Fayette Junction Master Plan Community Presentation
6:45 a.m. Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan
7:30 a.m. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS COMMITTEE March 2
8:00 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
SIFE City Partner on LIGHTS Project
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 3
11:00 a.m. PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD March 2
12:30 p.m. Kid's Bike Safety Rodeo 2008
1:00 p.m. ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE February 18
2:00 p.m. U o f A Facilities Management Historical Preservation
3:30 p.m. FPL Adult Winter Read
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Animals That Need Homes Now
SIFE City Partner on LIGHTS Project
5:00 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
6:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 3
8:30 p.m. CAT BOARD MEETING March 5
9:45 p.m. SIFE City Partner on LIGHTS Project
10:00 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
11:00 p.m. U of A Facilities Management Historical Preservation
12:30 p.m. Arkansas & Its State Police By Michael Lindsey


MONDAY MARCH 9
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. Sustainability Summit: U. of A. Applied Sustainability Center
7:00 a.m. Troubled Water: Preserving & Restoring AR. Most Valuable Resource
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. CAT BOARD MEETING March 5
10:15 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
10:30 a.m. David Lashley Park
11:00 a.m. Arkansas & Its State Police By Michael Lindsey
12:00 p.m. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS COMMITTEE March 2
12:30 p.m. Sustainability Summit: Jim Twigg McKee Foods
1:00 p.m. PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD March 2
2:30 p.m. Sustainability Summit: Nick Brown UA Carbon Footprint
3:00 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Sustainability Summit: Local & Global Initiatives: Winrock Int.
5:30 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - LIVE
8:30 p.m. Feeding The World Forum Keynote Speaker
10:00 p.m. Feeding The World Forum Panel Discussion
11:45 p.m. Sustainability Summit: U.of A. Applied Sustainability Center


TUESDAY MARCH 10
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
7:00 a.m. ARAPA/ARASLA Ethics In Professional Practice
8:00 a.m. Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary: Burn 2
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 9
12:00 p.m. CAT BOARD MEETING March 5
1:30 p.m. City of Fayetteville Wellness Program
2:00 p.m. ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMITTEE MARCH 9
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
5:30 p.m. Fayette Junction Master Plan Community Presentation
6:30 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 9
9:30 p.m. ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMITTEE March 9
11:30 p.m. U of A Facilities Management Historical Preservation


WEDNESDAY MARCH 11
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
7:00 a.m. Fayette Junction Master Plan
8:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
8:30 a.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
FFD Smoke & Carbon Monoxide
9:00 a.m. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA SESSION March 10
11:00 a.m. ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMITTEE March 9
1:00 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 3
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. U of A Facilities Management Historical Preservation
5:45 p.m. SIFE City Partner on LIGHTS Project
6:00 p.m. Animals That Need Homes Now!
FFD Smoke & Carbon Monoxide
6:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA SESSION March 10
8:30 p.m. ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMITTEE March 9
10:30 p.m. COMPREHENENSIVE WATERSHED Management Plan
11:15 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1


THURSDAY MARCH 12
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road To Recovery
6:00 a.m. Gulley Park: Tony Furtado
8:00 a.m. Rain Barrel Construction
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. SPECIAL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD March 9
12:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA SESSION March 10
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. Fayette Junction Master Plan
5:15 p.m. Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary: Burn 2
6:00 p.m. QUORUM COURT LIVE
9:00 p.m. SPECIAL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD March 9
11:00 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
12:00 p.m. Gulley Park: Tony Furtado



FRIDAY MARCH 13
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 9
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. QUORUM COURT MEETING March 12
12:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA SESSION March 10
2:00 p.m. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE March 12
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION. March 12
6:30 p.m. QUORUM COURT MEETING March 12
9:30 p.m. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE March 12
11:30 p.m. U of A Facilities Management Historical Preservation







SATURDAY MARCH 14
1:00 a.m. Community Events Calendar
5:00 a.m. Road to Recovery
6:00 a.m. Fayette Junction Master Plan
7:00 a.m. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION. March 12
8:30 a.m. Community Events Calendar
9:00 a.m. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE March 12
11:00 a.m. SPECIAL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD March 9
1:00 p.m. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE March 12
3:00 p.m. Fayetteville Community Garden Coalition #1
4:00 p.m. Community Events Calendar
4:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA SESSION March 10
6:30 p.m. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE March 12
8:30 p.m. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION. March 12
10:30 p.m. Gulley Park: Tony Furtado