2012

Wednesday. Dec. 5, 2012  CTAC Meeting 

Present:  

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Peaches Quinn, NH

Johnes Ruta, NH

Tad Weinstein, WH, chair

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast representative (non-voting)

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

Meeting called to order 6:25 p.m.

 

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

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

CTV –  Not attended and report

COMCAST REPORT – Sharon Codeanne

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

 

FINANCIAL REPORT – George Alexander

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

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

 

NEW BUSINESS

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

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

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

 

OLD BUSINESS

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

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

 

Meeting adjourned 9:10 p.m.

Weds. Oct. 4, 2012

Present:  

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Joyce Listro, NH

Peaches Quinn, NH

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jennifer Sacco, H

Tad Weinstein, WH, chair

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast

Joe Schofield, CTV

Meeting called to order 6:05 p.m.

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

Sharon gave Comcast report.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DRAFT

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

Meeting adjourned 7:13 p.m.

September 5, 2012

Present: George Alexander, Treasurer, H, acting chair

Don Levy, H

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jennifer Sacco, H

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast

Meeting called to order 6:07 p.m.

CTV Representative not present. 

George updated the council on the server problems related to our website.  George is proposing that we not continue to provide a forum (which only seemed to generate a ton of spam messages), and that we not provide a login to outside members, as this was targeted by machines with junk content.  George is proposing a homepage, font magnifier, a menu, and latest documents on front page, (a simplification of our previous website).  The quote we have from our web designer to migrate to the new site is $500 or less, and can be done next month.

George moved that we authorize an expense of up to $500, Don seconded. 

We have agreed to approve the minutes for August and July via email vote.

Sharon presented Comcast report.

Correspondence that was intended for Comcast was directed to Sharon.

Jen will send an email solicitation asking everyone to respond with the end-dates of their appointments, so  we can maintain a quorum at each meeting, and we will make a master list at next meeting.

Meeting adjourned 6:55 p.m.

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven – August 1, 2012

Present: Tad Weinstein, Chair, WH

George Alexander, Treasurer, H

Don Levy, H

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jennifer Sacco, H

Joe Schofield from CTV present

Comcast Representative not present.  Meeting called to order 6:07 p.m.  Comcast report read by group.  George moved to amend June minutes; Johnes seconded; minutes to be approved after amendments made by Don.

Regarding June discussion, Joe said that producer at One World Institute refuses to give permission to put program On Demand online, so people who missed the live airing are not able to access it On Demand.  Also, the schedule of programs on CTV, though accessible online, can also be accessed by calling CTV directly, and they will give information about the schedule to anyone who does not use the internet.

George moved that Jen draft our response to PURA about the dispute between CTV and One World Institute be that we have suggested what we believe to be reasonable accommodations—making the program available online on demand for anyone who misses an airing on request, and by making the program lineup visible on CTV’s website, and also by phone to anyone who misses a program.  One World Institute has the prerogative not to cooperate if that is what they wish, but CTV has been cooperative.  Johnes seconded.  Motion carries.

Joe indicates that AT&T has not yet provided a return line so that CTV programming can be carried on AT&T.  Joe is going to contact Kinson Perry, attorney for AT&T.

CTV is going to get a new realtor; they are in need of a commercial broker.  They are on a six month lease in the present location.

CTV had a burglary in June.  Four computers were taken; the thieves were in and out in less than a minute. 

CTV has an order 8 new cameras; 4 for field, 4 for in studio use.  They have requested funds from the state for the in-studio cameras.

George reports that the city of Hamden has sent us a letter that Carl Lambert will not be continuing on our board, so there is an opening for a Hamden member.

Meeting adjourned 7:12 p.m.

 

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven and West Haven

Meeting Date: June 6, 2012

 

Call to order: A Regular meeting of the CTAC was held at CTV, Hamden, Connecticut on June 6, 2012. President Tad Weinstein presiding. Don Levy acting secretary.

 

Members in attendance:

 

George Alexander, H, Treasurer

Don Levy, H

Johnes Ruta, NH

Peaches Quinn, NH

Joyce Listro, NH

Tad Weinstein, WH Chair

 

Sharon (Comcast)

 

Chairman Weinstein called the meeting to order at 6:02.

 

Approval of Minutes of May 2, 2012. Motion was made by Johnes and seconded by Joyce. Motion carried.

 

Commission decided to ask Jen to write a letter to PURA with regard to a request on the part of a citizen with regard the program schedule concerning the CTV program “One World Institute.”  The letter to PURA would explain:

 

1) that CTAC in conjunction with CTV had provided the citizen with the means to view “One World Institute” using the on demand capability of the CTV system.

 

2) The producer of “One World Institute,” however, would not authorize CTV to cablecast “One World Institute” as part of the on demand programming. And therefore

 

3) Having provided a reasonable opportunity to meet the citizen’s complaint which was effectively vetoed by the program’s producer CTAC has fulfilled its obligation to address this complaint. CTAC requests that PURA consider any further action on its part unnecessary and to dismiss this cause of action once for all.

 

A concern was raised that it may be difficult for some viewers to determine the schedule of CTV programs. It was decided to ask Joe Schofield of CTV to review the cable outlet’s current manner of posting its schedule in order to provide ease of use to subscribers.

 

There was a discussion regarding when to reschedule the July 4 regularly scheduled meeting. Numerous individual scheduling conflicts arose which made it difficult to arrive at a new date for the July meeting. A decision was postponed and the July date was to be determined via email communications.

 

Sharon presented the most recent iteration of the Comcast schedule indicating several channels which would no longer be carried, along with a handful of new choices. Sharon also reported on the winners of the annual Comcast Leaders & Achievers Scholarships.

 

Board members were concerned that the promised cable allowing CTV programs to be seen by AT&T subscribers had not yet been installed. The Committee decided to ask Joe Schofield to report on the progress of establishing such a link.

 

A protracted discussion ensued regarding the final report, dated April 4, of PURA, concerning the advisability of mandating or at least of providing incentives for the sharing of local programs generated by Connecticut Cable franchisees. PURA’s position was that however beneficial it might be to encourage such cross-system sharing its mandate did not warrant any action on its part. The report proposed that any system which sought a broader dissemination of its locally-generated programs was free to do so using online file sharing resources such as YouTube.

 

There was further discussion of an earlier proposal to use CTAC resources to fund a video contest for middle schools. Issues raised included which schools were to be included, the size and number of the awards, precisely how to make eligible schools and students aware of the contest and criteria for determining who were to be judges and what standards would be used to judge video projects. Action was deferred.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 7:00

 

Respectfully submitted by. D. Levy, acting CTAC secretary

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven

Meeting date: 4/4/12

Call to order: A regular meeting of the CTAC, was held at CTV, Hamden, CT on 4/4/12. The meeting convened at , President Tad Weinstein presiding, and Jennifer Sacco, secretary.

Members in attendance:

George Alexander, H treasurer

Carl Lambert, Sr., H

Don Levy, H

Joyce Listro, NH

Jen Sacco, H secretary

Tad Weinstein, WH chair

No CTV representative present

No Comcast representative present

Approval of minutes: Motion was made by Carl, and seconded by Jen  to approve the minutes of the 3/7/12 meeting. Motion carried.

Officers’ reports:

            No Comcast report

            No CTV report

George presented our correspondence.  We received a copy of a letter to the mayor of Hamden, etc., regarding the airing of programs from One World Institute at inconvenient times.  Per our earlier negotiated resolution, any missed and requested episode should be made available by CTV on the website, but apparently that server is not working properly as of today (4/4/12).  However, efforts are underway to fix the server. 

Don moved that Jen draft a response to be agreed to by our group via email that can be forwarded to the complainants.  Joyce seconded; motion carried.

Johnes sent an email to indicate that he is still researching policies regarding cable rates with the state legislature.

New business:

The group agreed to think of a contest for the schools to award a technology grant.  We have in principle agreed that students will be asked to create a 90 second video promoting public access television, and each of the middle schools in the three towns will be asked to enter, and that we will have a first, second, and third place winner, and run the contest in the 2012-2013 school year.  We will refine our ideas via email and at our next meeting. 

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m..

 

Jennifer Sacco

Secretary                                                                                 

CTAC

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven – 3/7/12

Call to order: A regular meeting of the CTAC, was held at CTV, Hamden, CT on . The meeting convened at , President Tad Weinstein presiding, and Jennifer Sacco, secretary.

Members in attendance:

George Alexander, H treasurer

Richard Gay, WH

Carl Lambert, Sr., H

Don Levy, H

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jen Sacco, H secretary

Tad Weinstein, WH chair

Joe Schofield, CTV

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast representative

 

Approval of minutes: Motion was made by Carl, and seconded by Richard to approve the minutes of the Feb. 1, meeting, with two changes specified regarding CTV address and details pertaining to cost related to moving. Motion carried.

Officers’ reports:

Comcast report made by Sharon Codeanne.  George forwarded letter from customer with check payment enclosed.  Richard reported that he gets pixellation of his picture regularly, as does Jen.  Sharon said she would ask a tech to investigate.  Jen also indicated her Tivo no longer works now that the digital network enhancement has been completed.  Sharon had not heard of Tivo incompatibility, and said she would look into it.  George indicated that he has had trouble with his internet speed when trying to work on his website, and gets a test result indicating he is only transferring data at 2-3 mbps.  Sharon said she would look into it.  These are problems that many more other customers must be experiencing.  George read a letter from a customer James S. complaining about an unclear bill from Comcast.  Sharon indicated that the information included is required by law; Jen maintained that there is still an easier way to deliver the “punchline” (total price increase to expect) for customers, based on their service packages.  Carl indicated that he has inquired about his bill to customer service, and customer service employees don’t know what the individual charges are for and can’t explain them.  The customer’s complaint has been forwarded directly to the representative from Comcast.

CTV report made by Joe.  New server had lost power supply, but was quickly fixed by the company who made it.  CTV had alternative programming/bulletin board on air during that time.  CTV is still trying to work out a contract to be carried over AT&T; CTV is waiting for a response from AT&T.  CTV is still in negotiations for a new property; they are still trying to come to terms, and are also meeting with the town of Hamden.  Regarding the old Tightrope server, CTV will be able to recoup some of their expenditures since the server had to be replaced.

George indicated that PURA is soliciting exceptions to the draft decision on docket 11-08-06 before our April meeting, so we will read and respond online if necessary. 

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

 

Secretary                                                                                            

CTAC