Public, Education & Government Access Oversight Board

PEG Access meeting, 6-8-23 City Hall Board members present: Mary Rozak (chair), Dale Getto (treasurer), Ron Lesko (secretary), Darrin Kibbey, Karen McGrath, Amy McLaughlin, Zachary Simpson. Board members absent: Donald Hyman (vice chair), Jim Matteo, Jessica Wilcox Also present: Studio coordinator Aprecia Cabey, Counsel Raisi Mobele Meeting called to order at 5:31 p.m. Review of April minutes  Getto moved approval  Simpson 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.  Keith Irish – He addressed his current suspension from the studio. He also suggested that all Channel Albany producers and Common Council members should be included on notifications for PEG board meetings. He criticized Channel Albany’s relationship with Open Stage Media. o Rozak noted that the agenda is publicly available and posted on the city’s website and Channel Albany social media and website one week before each meeting. Chair’s report  Good news abounds in this report. o First, the open Common Council board-appointed position has been filled by Kirk Daniels. He has to complete the oath of office and couldn’t be at this meeting  regardless, but the board is at full capacity once again for the first time in a year. Kirk is filling out a term that expires next year. o Also, Wilcox’s term is up in three weeks. She has said she wants to be reappointed and Rozak indicated that she has been told the legislation has been drafted for the next council meeting and that she and Rozak will be contacted about a PEG Ad Hoc Committee meeting. o Rozak also shared that Channel Albany/PEG board has been recommended for funding in the amount of $30,000 for the Consolidated Program Year 49. The board proposed two assistants to help the studio coordinator in the Channel Albany studio. It is a preliminary amount and has to go through a series of approvals. Planning should get underway soon and we are eager to get started. She noted that the grant is important to assist the board in bringing on additional studio personnel. Thank you to everyone who worked on the grant! (award letter attached).  A reminder that the board will be taking July and August off from regular meetings but there will be work to be done during that time to be ready for September so we can be prepared to implement the grant funding. Studio coordinator’s report  The studio uploaded more than 190 finished productions from April 14-June 7.  Regular Channel Albany locally produced shows include: “On Point!,” “Words Make People,” “Al Islam in Focus,” “Black Wallstreet Legacy,” “Dreya’s Closet,” “Queer Talk,” “Grace & Truth,” “Come Connect Church,” “Testimonies and Songs,” “Tarot Vybez TV,” “Capitol Cannabis” and “The South End Community Collaborative.”  Studio operations include communication with producers, training, Albany County Legislature meetings, City of Albany School District board meetings and PSAs.  Community produced content is edited by respective community producers and uploaded to OSM based on the producer’s editing progress.  Spring intern finishing on June 15 and will graduate from Albany High School shortly after. He will be interviewing Common Council members, and the studio coordinator will be picking up that project moving forward. She is looking forward to working with Albany High on a new round of interns.  She noted that a faster Internet connection in the studio still is a need. o Counsel noted that he will be working with Spectrum in the next few weeks to discuss finalizing the new franchise agreement, which he indicated would include a faster Internet connection for the studio. Rozak also noted that an upgrade is imperative, whether it is included in the new agreement or if we need to pay for that separately.  She noted that the new grant will allow the studio to train more producers once the new personnel are identified and on board later this year. The additional personnel also will help the studio get content aired faster.   She offered a reminder of the Channel Albany studio hours, which also are posted on the Channel Albany website and social media, at City Hall and at the Albany Public Library Washington Avenue branch: o Monday 9 a.m.-noon o Tuesday – 5-8 p.m. o Wednesday – 9 a.m.-2 p.m. o Thursday – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. o Friday – 9 a.m.-2 p.m. o Saturday – 2-7 p.m. o Sunday – Closed Treasurer’s report  Getto noted that the report is fully up to date and accurate. However, a lag remains with the city paying the studio coordinator in a timely way.  We have allocated approximately one-third of available funds at almost the halfway point in the year.  Rozak asked if more studio hours may be available in the near term. Cabey indicated that the addition of the two grant-funded positions that should increase the studio’s hours from the 25 that she currently fills to 40. Cabey indicated she also may have additional time in the future: o McGrath moved approval o McLaughlin second o Approved unanimously Announcements  None New business  Consolidated Program Year 49 grant o Getto noted that the positions the grant will support could help continue building a pipeline or feeder program for Albany High students and local college students to work in the studio, beginning in middle school and continuing through high school graduation into pursuing a career pathway in college. o Getto noted that Albany High teachers are able to identify students at Albany High who would be eager and interested. o McLaughlin asked when the grant would require a status report. Rozak noted that has yet to be determined. o Rozak noted that the board will need to form an ad hoc committee. Getto volunteered to take the lead on that group and serve as chair.  Rozak asked for a amotion to vote on the creation of a CDBG Grant Ad Hoc Committee.  McLaughlin moved  McGrath approved   Approved unanimously o McLaughlin volunteered to serve on the committee. Lesko volunteered as well. o Kibbey noted that each local college has its own groups who serve students interested in these types of opportunities.  Next meeting date – Thursday, Sept. 14, 5:30 p.m., City Hall mayor’s conference room Adjournment  McGrath moved adjournment  Kibbey second  Meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.