Public, Education & Government Access Oversight Board

PEG Access TV Oversight Board meeting March 14, 2019 City Hall, Mayor’s Conference Room Present: Mary Rozak (chair), Donald Hyman (vice chair), Melanie Metzger (treasurer), Ron Lesko (secretary), Dale Getto, Cathy Taylor, Ocasio Willson. Also present: Kirk Daniels (studio coordinator), Angelica Kang (assistant corporation counsel) Board members absent: Tracian Gordon, James Matteo (excused absence). Called to order at 5:34 p.m. Review of minutes  Taylor moved approval  Metzger second  Approved unanimously Public comment  Marc Gronich – He provided background about an Albany County grant that the board pursued in the past.  Kimberly Krepp – Director and host of “Capital Cannabis.” She inquired about funds for equipment in the studio. She said the board needs to do more to make more opportunities, resources and programming available to the community. She also opposed the proposal to merge with Open Stage Media.  John Falsarella – Former intern in the PEG studio, working with Studio Coordinator Kirk Daniels.  Keith Irish – He noted a PEG Expo coming up May 23 in New Jersey. Applications due by the end of March in order to get free access. He also noted the need for additional staff time, or staff members, in the studio. He said that the proposal to merge with Open Stage Media is not a good idea. Chair’s Report  Open Stage Media proposal – Rozak noted that the board has been very transparent about the proposal. She said that in no way, shape or form would the Albany PEG studio close. The reason for considering the merger is to expand Albany content, to be able to use our limited funding to invest in equipment and developing additional local content. o Counsel provided an update on the draft agreement.  Getto inquired about a possible timeline for the agreement. Rozak noted that the negotiation is moving as expeditiously as possible. o Counsel noted that the templates OSM initially provided for the draft agreement did not meet city legal requirements. She will continue to negotiate on behalf of  the city and the PEG board. Rozak noted that she believes the mayor is eager to move the agreement forward.  Equipment update – Following the board’s February meeting, Rozak put in a request to the city for approximately $5,400 in equipment. We are still waiting on delivery of that equipment.  IT updates – Rozak said she has worked with the city for technical support in the studio. She asked the studio coordinator to reach out to a contact she has identified with the city to get the assistance needed in the studio.  Studio coordinator vacation – Hours posted on the Channel Albany Facebook page and website for this period.  Albany County Legislature grant application – The board applied previously, unsuccessfully. The application needs to be completed by April 12 if the board wants to apply for it. Each legislator could contribute up to $3,500. The funds cannot be used to pay staff; only for equipment. Hyman suggested marketing and web-related priorities. Roazk agreed. The board discussed educational materials related to PEG TV, and to buy back the Channel Albany domain name (which is owned by another user). Rozak also noted that we would need to develop a budget. o Suggestions included standing or table banners, “palm cards” or other collateral. o Counsel noted that buying back the domain name would be an annual expense; and the grant is a one-year grant. o Hyman moved that the PEG board apply for the grant. The board will put together a proposal to purchase educational materials, the domain name buyback pending a cost analysis, and banners.  Metzger moved approval.  Hyman second.  Approved unanimously.  Hyman noted the need for a board committee to develop the grant application. Getto and Willson said they would help, with Willson taking the role as the committee chair.  Hyman moved the establishment of a Grant Application Committee.  Metzger second.  Approved unanimously.  The committee will have a draft proposal for board review and comment in advance of the April 11 meeting. The board will have to act on the application at that meeting to meet the county’s April 12 deadline.  Willson noted that he also will be inviting the public to participate on the committee, which Rozak noted is standard with all board committees. Studio Coordinator’s Report  Daniels noted that the “Islam in Focus” program has been including numerous local officials on the show. He advocated for additional staff time in the studio. He is losing his current intern and will be adding a new student intern from Albany High School.  Getto noted that the Albany High student intern could be established as a permanent program. Treasurer’s Report  One expenditure in this period, for the studio coordinator’s salary.  Metzger reviewed each budget line.  She discussed the YouthFx training program (four four-hour sessions). Hyman asked if we can invite Bhawin Suchak to attend a future PEG board meeting to brief us on the training. o Willson asked about a previous comment about missing equipment.  Metzger noted that in closing the books for 2018, in an effort to make sure invoicing was accurate, the city identified that $66,000 was expensed from the original funds allocated for equipment. The funds were used for some of the original equipment. Willson noted that we should request documentation for the equipment from the city. Rozak said she would ask the city for that historical information. Willson noted that although he approved this item in the previous meeting’s minutes, he had questions that he acknowledged he should have raised at the time that minutes were being reviewed and approved. o Hyman moved approval of the report o Getto second o Approved – Rozak, Hyman, Metzger, Lesko, Getto, Taylor in favor. Willson abstained. Albany Public Library lease  Getto noted questions about a long-term lease agreement with the library due to other opportunities that could be available for PEG TV in Albany. Hyman agreed.  Rozak noted that as we sign another one-year agreement with the library, it is also a good time to look to see if there is another location in Albany that would make sense for our future operations. The board’s Studio Space Ad Hoc Committee meets the second Wednesday of the month, Getto noted. Interested participants also could participate by conference call.  The board also engaged in a conversation about upgrading the equipment in the Common Council chambers. Rozak said she would reach out to the three council members who oversee the PEG board. New business  None Next meeting – April 11, 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Mayor’s Conference Room. The meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.