Public, Education & Government Access Oversight Board

PEG Access meeting, 10-12-23 City Hall Board members present: Mary Rozak (chair), Donald Hyman (vice chair), Dale Getto (treasurer), Ron Lesko (secretary), Kirk Daniels, Darrin Kibbey, Amy McLaughlin, Dr. Shawn MacIntosh, Zach Simpson, Jessica Wilcox. Board members absent: Jim Matteo Also present: Studio coordinator Aprecia Cabey, Counsel Raisi Mobele Meeting called to order at 5:31 p.m. Review of September minutes  Getto moved approval  MacIntosh second  Approved unanimously by those present (Daniels and Simpson were not present at the time of the vote) 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 noted that programming from the Common Council’s recent budget meeting has not aired on Channel Albany. … He noted the studio’s expanded hours. Chair’s report  Rozak noted the success that Getto has had with our recent grant to continue moving PEG forward. More on this later in the meeting.  Rozak has officially submitted her resignation, which will be effective at the end of this meeting. Cathy Taylor will be appointed Oct. 13, returning to the board as a mayoral appointee. Taylor was a member of the original PEG board. She will join for the December board meeting.   Rozak noted that there is a personnel matter that the board will discuss in executive session. o Simpson moved to enter executive session o McLaughlin second o Approved unanimously  The board entered executive session to discuss a personnel matter at 5:40 p.m. o At 6:01 p.m., Wilcox moved to return to public session o Kibbey second o Approved unanimously  The board returned to public session at 6:01 p.m. Equipment request list  Cabey provided an overview of the requested items on the list, total cost approximately $35,830 (list provided). o MacIntosh asked if the studio has enough batteries as the transition to more wireless equipment will require that. o Simpson asked if some items are replacing existing equipment  Primarily the cameras. Most of the other equipment is equipment the studio does not have currently.  Simpson asked what we do with decommissioned equipment.  Getto indicated she will work with the city’s business office on those details.  Lesko moved approval of the purchase  Wilcox second  Approved unanimously Studio coordinator’s report  The studio uploaded more than 215 finished productions from April 14-Oct. 12.  The studio has regular independent producers. Their shows include “On Point!,” “Words Make People,” “Al Islam in Focus,” “Black Wall Street 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 and coordination of scheduled studio time. Local government programming includes Albany Common Council, Albany County Legislature meetings, City School District of Albany Board of Education meetings and PSAs.  PEG board, coordinator, and counsel are working on the improvement of high-speed connection.  Community-produced content is edited by respective community producers and uploads to Open Stage Media are based on the producers’ editing progress.  On Oct. 11, the studio welcomed three new interns from Lindsay Simmons’ class at Albany High School. These students are all seniors at Albany High and interested in media. The interns are required to complete 54 hours of learning experience. The  newest cohort of interns have hours that overlap and two of the three interns will be joining Common Council meetings in chambers.  Free Speech week is Oct. 16-22. Planning is complete for the 2nd annual Free Speech Week Community Media Awards. This event will be held at the Albany Public Library main branch large meeting room on Oct. 19.  Planning also has continued for a Channel Albany winter conference. Channel Albany producers will be invited to panel and share information about their independent industries via in-person workshops and virtual platforms.  The coordinator plans to create a podcast area in the studio.  Note studio hours: o Monday – noon-8 p.m. o Tuesday – noon-8 p.m. o Wednesday – noon-8 p.m. o Thursday – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. o Friday – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. o Saturday – 2-5 p.m. o Sunday – Closed Treasurer’s report  The equipment purchase approved earlier in the meeting essentially spends down the available funds for equipment. o Kibbey moved approval of the treasurer’s report o Daniels second o Approved unanimously Announcements  Getto discussed the grant. She noted that the grant will support a faculty advisor from Albany High School to support student interns in the studio and the establishment of a new Channel Albany Club at Albany High. o Lesko said he would research the process for administrative support for the new Channel Albany Club, in alignment with Albany High’s standard procedures for providing administrative support to faculty members in charge of a club  Wilcox noted that the Albany Rotary Club First Responders Breakfast is on Nov. 1 at the Zaloga Post.  Kibbey is co-hosting an event at Siena College on Oct. 14 for leukemia and lymphoma.  McLaughlin noted that the Albany Public Library’s hours will be changing across the city on Nov. 6. Also celebrating its centennial. An event is planned Oct. 21. Visit the APL website for more information.  Rozak reminded board members to get any upcoming events or notices to the studio coordinator.  MacIntosh noted a collaboration between The College of St. Rose and Albany High School for credit-bearing opportunities for high school students.  Getto read a proclamation from Mayor Sheehan recognizing Rozak for her service to the PEG board. New business  Rozak noted that the board will vote at its December meeting for a new group of officers.  Next meeting date – Thursday, Dec. 14, 5:30 p.m., City Hall mayor’s conference room Adjournment  Lesko moved adjournment  MacIntosh second  Meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.