Public, Education & Government Access Oversight Board

PEG Access meeting, 2-16-23 Albany Public Library Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch Board members present: Mary Rozak (chair), Donald Hyman (vice chair), Ron Lesko (secretary), Darrin Kibbey, Jim Matteo, Amy McLaughlin, Zachary Simpson, Jessica Wilcox. Board members absent: Karen McGrath, Dale Getto (treasurer)- both excused Also present: Counsel Raisi Mobele, studio coordinator Aprecia Cabey Meeting called to order at 5:34 p.m. Review of December minutes  Hyman moved approval  McLaughlin second  Approved unanimously Public comment  Rozak began by reading publicly the board’s statement regarding public comment: o Public comment is allowed during the officially designated portion of the meeting as listed on the agenda. Members of the public who wish to address the board will be acknowledged by the board chair and should state their name for the purpose of accurate recording for the board minutes. You will then have three minutes to make comments. This is not a question-and-answer session, but public comment. After that period is closed, those members of the public who wish to stay and listen to the board meeting are welcome to do so and are asked not to engage in conversations or activity that is distracting to board members. Guests or persons having relevant knowledge or information may attend and speak as part of the agenda upon acceptance of the meeting agenda by the board. All other guests must be recognized by the chair before addressing the board and participating in discussion.  No public comment Chair’s report  The board’s annual report was submitted to the Common Council in January.  Rozak provided an update on the open Common Council board position. There was a meeting to conduct interviews scheduled in January, but it had to be canceled due to a scheduling conflict. A new date had not been set by the time of this meeting.  The board successfully submitted a CDBG application by the Jan. 31 deadline. Rozak thanked Getto, Simpson, McLaughlin and counsel, as well as the studio coordinator, for their work in finalizing and submitting the application. The application requests $40,000 to fund two fellowships to assist the studio coordinator in the Channel Albany community media studio. These positions would allow the studio to do more training,  provide more assistance producers, and conduct more community outreach to recruit new producers and develop additional content for Channel Albany. Funds would be available in September. Rozak suggested the board would want to start recruiting in the late spring. She also noted additional grant opportunities are available and asked board members to assist with those research and application processes. o Notification of the CDBG grant application is anticipated in the early spring. The grant funding period begins June 1.  Improved high-speed Internet is needed for the studio. Rozak indicated that Zeb Schmitt from Open Stage Media provided acceptable parameters for our upload and download needs. She said the studio barely has a signal currently. She is working with counsel on solutions. o Counsel indicated this is being discussed as part of the new franchise agreement, which is being negotiated currently. Rozak noted that upgrade also is important more urgently . Studio coordinator’s report  From March 1, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023, the studio has uploaded 150 new productions.  Content currently created by independent producers include: “On Point!”, “Words Make People,” “Al Islam in Focus,” “Black Wall Street Legacy,” “Dreya’s Closet,” “Queer Talk,” “Grace and Truth,” “Testimonies and Songs,” “Tarot Vybez TV” and “Capital Cannibis.”  Studio operations include communication with producers, training and coordination of studio time.  January closed out the Albany High School students’ intern period. Two high school interns started their internships at Channel Albany in the fall. Each completed 54 hours of dedicated time at the studio. They were a pleasure to have and the coordinator expects new interns for the spring term. Albany High teacher Theresa Story has communicated we will have our new intern group soon. The studio coordinator focused on camera, sound, and lighting operations and customer service. New interns will be oriented on the same areas.  Channel Albany social media continues to share community events, public hearings and detailed information about community meetings. Channel Albany also has shared information about the City School District of Albany superintendent search.  Upcoming community outreach projects include a public-access fair or conference in the late spring. Channel Albany producers will be invited to panel and share information about their independent industries via in-person workshops and virtual platforms.  The studio coordinator is compiling a request for new equipment and the list will be ready soon.  Studio hours will be posted on the Channel Albany website and social media, and in City Hall and the Albany Public Library main branch at 161 Washington Ave. o Monday – 5:30-8 p.m. o Tuesday – 5:30-8 p.m. o Wednesday – 5:30-8 p.m. o Thursday – 5:30-8 p.m.  o Saturday – 3-8 p.m. Treasurer’s report  Getto provided a 2022 year-end report, which Rozak reviewed as well as the 2023 year- to-date report. o Moved to approve both the 2022 year-end report and the January 2023 report  Hyman moved approval  Wilcox second  Approved unanimously Announcements  Wilcox noted that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is coming up March 11 and asked if Channel Albany might consider walking in the parade with our banner. Rozak noted that we do not currently have a banner that could be used in that way. o Rozak noted that Channel Albany does not currently have funds available that can be used to produce promotional materials (banner, brochures, etc.). Matteo noted that the pending CDBG grant could be modified to use a small portion of those funds for these types of materials. New business  Rozak discussed putting together a subcommittee to research potential grant opportunities. o Kibbey volunteered to participate. Rozak indicated that Getto has said she wants to be a part of that as well. o Kibbey noted that there are a wide range of opportunities. Rozak noted that counsel also would need to be involved to be sure we are pursuing grants for which Channel Albany would be eligible.  Rozak asked for a motion to establish a Grants Subcommittee: o Hyman moved o Matteo second o Approved unanimously  Subcommittee members – Kibbey, Getto, McLaughlin and Rozak Next meeting date  Thursday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m., location TBD pending availability of City Hall conference room o McLaughlin will not be able to participate Adjournment  Wilcox moved adjournment  Simpson second  Meeting adjourned at 6:11 p.m.