HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 10 01 CALNO Task Force Report.~
CALNO TASK !~ '°` A P ~Ep
October 1, 1997
GOVERNMENT\PUBLIC EDUCATION CABLE TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
The Task Force met five times between July 2, 1997 and September 11, 1997.
The minutes of those meetings are attached.
The Task Force addressed legal, financial and practical issues, sometimes at
great length during those meetings.
Although three of the cities now have alternative methods of televising
information to their citizens, all cities will eventually be handled by Time Warner
Communications. Presently, only three or four cities have expressed a desire to
participate in this programming. It is expected that at some time in the future
they may find it more practical to join in this effort.
Seminole County, the School Board and Seminole Community College are very
interested in participating.
With this in mind, it was decided to establish, by interlocal agreement, a council,
composed of one representative from each participating entity. This council will
then be responsible for developing the budget, programming schedule and
method of delivery. Allotment of time and cost will also be addressed by this
council.
Since the schools and the county will have differing amounts of subject matter
for distribution, than individual cities, an equitable fair share needs to be
assessed.
Attorney Steve Coover volunteered to draft the interlocal agreement.
Attached you will find the proposed interlocal agreement
Once those entities who are interested in participating in this effort have all
approved the final agreement, then I suggest they request that the County
provide a meeting place and clerical support to get the program started.
Once the council is formed, the meetings of that council could be rotated among
the members the same way CALNO is now.
THE TASK FORCE IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE CABLE SERVICE BE
%„~ NAMED "SEMINOLE TV", AND THAT THE MID-LEVEL OF SERVICE
($73,402) BE ADOPTED AS THE INITIAL CAPITAL EXPENSE.
THE ANNUkL OPERATING EXPENSE AS ESTIMATED UNDER THE
ATTACHED PROPOSAL WOULD BE $97,710.
THERE MAY BE SOME LATER MODIFICATION OF THESE FIGURES IF THE
COUNTY COMMISSION AND TWC AGREE ON SOME FURTHER
CONTRIBUTIONS, BASED ON THE COUNTY'S FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
WITH TWC.
PLEASE REVIEW THIS AGREEMENT AND SUBMIT IT TO YOUR BOARD
FOR APPROVAL. THAT WILL TAKE THIS BEYOND CALNO IT WILL
ACCOMPLISH THE FIRST IMPORTANT STEP IN PROVIDING GOVERNMENT
AND PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING TO THE
CITIZENS OF SEMINOLE COUNTY. TASK FORCE MEMBERS WILL BE
HAPPY TO PRESENT THIS TO YOUR BOARD IF YOU PREFER.
•,
i
~,,, A SEMINOLE COUNTY GOVERNMENT CABLE
TELEVISION CHANNEL
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UTILIZING THE TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT,
PROGRAMMING AND PRODUCTION SKILLS OF
PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR SEM/NOLE COUNTYAND CENTRAL FLORIDA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM
Executive Summary
Notional Cable Schedule
Annual Operating Expenses
One Time Capital Start Up Expenses
PAGE
.............................. 2-5
.............................. 6
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.............................. 8-10
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A SEMINOLE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
CABLE TELEVISION CHANNEL CONSORTIUM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Overview
1. Public television station WMFE-N/Channel 24, in Orlando, proposes to
assist in the creation of a Seminole County govemment cable television channel
consortium. Such a consortium, developed jointly with cable operators, county and city
franchisers, and Channel 24 will serve county govemment, schools and municipalities in
Seminole County, Florida.
2. The consortia, under the proposed third party facilitation of Channel 24, could
provide cable programming and management on the govemment channel variously utilized
by county and city governments in the area. Such programming would be used by
govemment authorities to more effectively extend their public service message to
constituents. The consortium would capitalize on the existing expertise and program
collaboration relationship many of these agencies now have with Channel 24.
3. While the concept of a govemment channel is not necessarily new, the
diverse programming and third party cable management of Channel 24 creates a unique
and cost effective collaboration opportunity for such a county govemment channel.
B. Assumations:
4. The proposed govemment cable channel consortium assumes several
factors yet to be agreed upon.
2
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5. The proposal assumes an interest on the part of Seminole County
govemment, schools and municipalities to embrace the issue. It assumes those cable
operators and franchisers will recognize the benefits inherent in Channel 24's third party
character as an objective, impartial facilitator between users that will capitalize upon
Channel 24's established working relationship with many of the cable franchisers.
6. The financial model of the proposal also assumes a willingness among the
users to proportionately fund portions of the Channel 24 cable management stnacture.
Such a fee must be less than what an individual govemment might independently fund to
create and staff their own stand-alone system. The fee, when aggregated with other
govemment funding, would provide a critical mass of support capable of cost effectively
producing, managing, and coordinating the cable program schedules among the
govemment participants.
C. ProQrammin4:
7. Channel 24 would propose to coordinate and/or produce, acquire and
distribute over the govemment channel commercial-free programming specifically for
constituents of the consortium in Seminole County. Such programming would be in
accordance with govemment and cable programming regulations and other agreed upon
parameters.
8. Described below is cable programming that includes public interest areas,
camera-of-record- coverage of public meetings, and new initiatives that might be created
more cost effectively within a consortium than as a stand-alone expense one govemment
must absorb.
3
'Proposed government channel cable programming
Postings: Computer generated "menu boards" containing text listings of meeting
schedules and agendas, official minutes, rosters of elected officials and key staff, phone
numbers, and location maps.
Programs: Formal programs featuring topics selected by each entity, including
programs produced by that entity or by Channel 24 or available from others.
Public Meetings: Live or tape~lelayed (full length or edited) camera-of-record
coverage of meetings selected by each entity. Meetings could include not only the formal
governing body, but also committees, advisory boards, or the like.
9. Utilizing the existing facility and infrastructure capacity of WMFE, Channel 24
would coordinate the production or acquisition of new consortium driven program initiatives.
This would be more cost effective than the funding, equipment acquisition and
maintenance of that which each government authority would ordinarily have to do
individually.
10. Additionally, Channel 24 would draw upon its existing program collaboration
relationships with major Central Florida institutions to add to or expand the thoughtful
programming those entities might bring to the consortia. These organizations include:
City of Orlando
Orange County Government
Seminole County Government
Orlando Utilities Commission
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
Osceola County Government
LYNX
Orange County Public Schools
Seminole County Public Schools
Orlando/Orange County Expressway Authority
Osceola County Public Schools
Canaveral Port Authority
4
D. Consortium Management:
11. Channel 24 proposes to position itself as the third party candidate under
which such a consortium would objectively be managed and maintained. Any combination
of consortium governing boards could be established for the appropriate control, oversight
and accountability.
12. nth a modest short-term addition to WMFE's technical facilities, Channel
24's control room would become interconnected via fiber optic cable (some fiber already
now is in place) to Time Warner Cable head-end facilities, creating an insertion point
directly into Seminole County
E. The Channe124 Advantage:
13. Channel 24 as an institution is the most logical third party candidate to
manage and coordinate the consortium., Channel 24 currently has established an effective
relationship with many Central Florida govemment authorities working collaboratively to
produce and broadcast programming for constituents. Channel 24 is already proficient as
program producers and distributors. Channel 24 services the same region that such a
consortium might serve. Channel 24 has a physical and technical plant capable of
expanding to accommodate such a consortium in a manner which govemment authorities
or cable operators individually cannot cost effectively accommodate.
14. Finally, Channel 24 possesses the integrity, credibility and non-political, non-
commercial stature representing neither private interests nor governmental characteristics.
5
NOTIONAL
GOVERNMENT CABLE CHANNEL SCHEDULE
(fed closed circuit from public television station WMFE-N/Channel 24 to TWC)
Each participating institution is described as an anti # to facilitate communication
Potential entities-Altamonte Springs, Caaselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, Seminole
County Government, Seminole County Schools, & Winter Springs
LENGTH., Every Every 1` & 3 2" & 4th Every Every
15 min increments Monda Tuesda Wednesda Wednesda Thursda Frida
CONTENT
00 to 15
15 to 30
30 to 45
45 to 1:00
1:00 to 1:15
1:15 to 1:30
1:30 to 1:45
1:45 to 2:00
2:00 to 2:15
2:15 to 2:30
2:30 to 2:45
2:45 to 3:00
3:00 to 3:15
3:15 to 3:30
3:30 to 3:45
3:45 to 4:00
4:00 to 4:15
4:15 to 4:30
4:30 to 4:45
4:45 to 5:00
5:00 to 5:15
5:15 to 5:30
5:30 to 5:45
5:45 to 6:00
6:00 to 6:15
6:15 to 6:30
6:30 to 6:45
6:45 to 7:00
7:00 to 7:15
7:15 to 7:30
T:30 to 7:45
7:45 to 8:00
8:00 to 8:15
8:15 to 8:30
8:30 to 8:45
8:45 to 9:00
Entity 2
Entity 3
Entity 4
Entity 5
Entity 6
Entity 7
Entity 8
Entity 9
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<:~.:.~~x ~ :>
Entil'y 4 ',
;,entity 5 ;'.
'1=ntlty 6
.::::;
....:_~~tify
`~~~ntitj~~
..,Entity 8
Entity 1
Entity 2
Entity 3
Entity 4
Entity 5
Entity 6
Entity 7
Entity 8
Entity 9
Entity
Meetin s Meetin s Postin!
Entity 1 .;Entity 6, l=ntii:y:'!
;
::
Etlti€y 2
Enffy 3
Enfty 4
Erttl~y 5
..:::::
.
~c~tltj
~r~ti~y, T
.........' .. < .. ERtlt~
~' ~ttlify ~ Entity 7 .:
Entity 1
Entity 2
Entity 3
Entity 4
Entity 5
Entity 6
............. .........
Entity 7
Entity 3 ,entity 8, _ Entity 8
Entity 9
Entity 1
Entity 3
<i»nu~y ~ ;
_._ __
Entity 5
.::Entity 6
Entity 7
6
SEMINOLE GOVERNMENT CABLE CHANNEL
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1. Project Manager.
EXPENSE
$ 43,050
Full-time management staff member. Principal daily liaison with government entities, facilitates
consortium meetings, develops schedule from consortium input, manages budget, promotes service to viewers
and media, produces on air graphic "look", supervises the packaging of the daily schedule, programs automation
system. InGudes benefits
2. Cable master control operator.
$ 32,300
Full-time operator of technical equipment used to deliver program service to cable headend,
loads video tape machines, creates daily program package as required, performs minor maintenance. Includes
benefits
A. SUBTOTAL -CABLE STAFF:
3. Overtime: $ 4,550
Principally for vacation, sick leave, or freelance startup labor
4. Local Travel: $ 3,380
Mileage and tolls
5. Training: $ 2,600
Equipment -computers, video
6. Telephone $ 2,470
Voice (line & cellular), fax, response lines
7. Maintenance/Repairs: $ 2,860
Service contracts (greater with High-cost option)
8. Supplies: $ 2,600
Paper, postage, disks, office, tape
9. One-time office start up: $ 3,900
Desk, chair, computer, printer
B. SUBTOTAL DEPARTMENT EXPENSES:
C. GRAND TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES:
$ 75,350
$ 22,360
$ 97,710
(Annual operating expenses equals 610,857 assessment fee paid by each of 9 participating
members of the Seminole cable consortium, if all assessments were on an equal basis)
D. 1NKIND EXPENSES (from WMFE):
Physical plant square footage (including power) ($ 4,860)
Ancillary equipment use (copiers, test/maintenance) ($ 1,900)
Engineering oversight & staff: ($ 12,000)
Administration ~ accounting: ($ 10,800)
7
ONE TIME CAPITAL STARTUP EXPENSES
LOW COST FIBER DELIVERY SYSTEM -- S 38.080
This package provides for the fiber-optic delivery, from WMFE-TV/Channel 24's master
control room, of a fully packaged and scheduled government television cable channel to the
Time Warner cable headend in Winter Park. Time Warner will subsequently deliver the
package to its systems in Seminole County. The system will meet technical specifications
specified by Time Warner
The system is intended to be operational Monday through Friday for approximately ten
hours per day, ;initially in 4 hour repeatable segments each day.
The controller automatically operates S-VHS videotape machines and text/graphics
equipment at the appropriate times to ensure timely and continuos program delivery and
switching between program segments or video sources.
The system also has the capability to create background graphics, format text (minutes,
meeting notices, agendas, rosters, etc.) and add music to these text only presentations or
schedule announcements.
The video programs and textual content are provided in standard formats by the
~r• Seminole County entities participating in this cable service. Text and graphic material may be
delivered to WMFE via modem or by floppy disc. The standard format for video is S-VHS with
single channel audio. The standard text formats are Word or WorolPerfect word processor text
files. Other formats may be accommodated through arrangement with WMFE.
Video tapes submitted must be timed by the provider to within one second accuracy
from start to end of the program. Errors in timing may result in a loss of delivery of a portion of
the program material. Text and graphic material may be °aired° with a music background for
which WMFE will hold usage rights.
MID COST FIBER DELIVERY SYSTEM -- E 73.402
This system performs all of the functions of the low cost system but uses high quality
professional videotape machines and a better graphics system. The S-VHS machines produce
a better qua i a d are able to or tter time accuracy. The machines
are mode durable and will provide higher quality service over a longer period of time.
The computeLbased graphics svstem~ also able to function as a video still- store and
digital effects system to allow a higher level of creativity. The still-store capability will allow an
image archive to be kept in the system making it easier to add logos and other recurring
artwork to graphic productions. Digital effects will enhance the changing of pages when the
billboard type of presentation is used for various announcements.
8
HIGH COST FIBER DELIVERY SYSTEM -- $ 257.180
This system per'Forms all of the functions of the mid cost system but uses a delivery
approach which eliminates the need for videotape machines for direct delivery. The video tape
machines are still used but their function is to load the video file server prior to air.
The video file server is based not on tape but rather on computer disc technology. This
provides the advantage of being able to repeat a program multiple times without having to run
a tape machine each time. Once the programs are loaded, the file server can play them back
in any order, and for any number of times. Program editing and timing are much more efficient
and, schedule ~ changes are much easier to accomplish. The file server has the ability to
maintain consistent quality with less operator attention.
Cable Consortium.doc
9
FIBER DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR SEMINOLE GOVERNMENT CABLE CHANNEL
Low cost
ITEM 4TY DESCRIPTION TOTAL
1 1 CONTROLLER TO SWITCH TAPE MACHINES TO NR, TECH PVC-2 52,240
2 4 S-VHS CONSUMER S-VHS MACHINE 53,080
3 1 EXPANSION SYSTEM, DPS (HOLDS TBC CARDS) 53,080
4 2 TBC, DPS VT-2500 (TIME BASE CORRECTOR GIRD TO STABILE S-VHS MACHINES) j2,380
5 1 CHARACTER GENERATOR, CODI W 1 SOFTWARE 16,780
6 1 MODEM j560
7 1 COMPUTER (SCHEDULES EVENTS) 52,380
8 1 COMPUTER (FOR GRAPHICS SYSTEM) 52,380
9 1 PRINTER 5630
10 1 AUDK) INTERFACE (CONVERTS CONSUMER AUDIO LEVEL TO BROADCAST SPEC.) j350
11 1 MUCER, HACKIE MS1402, ANO CD PLAYER FOR AUDIO BED (PROVIDES AUDIO BED AND USED FOR PACKAGING) 51,260
12 1 MODULATOR, F83ER (SENDS PROGRAMMING TO CABLE HEADEND VIA FlBEROPTIC LINE) 55,600
13 1 DEMODULATOR, FlBER (RECENES PROGRAMMING AT HEADEND) 54,200
14 1 EQUIPMENT RACK W/ POWERSTRIP (HOLDS EQUIPMENT) j1,750
15 1 MISC WIRING AND CABLES (WIRING TO INNTERCONNECT AlL EQUIPMENT) j700
16 1 UPS (UNINTERRUPTABLE POWER SUPPLY) 5700
17 TOTAL 538,080
MID COST
ITEM QTY DESCRIPTION TOTAL
18 1 CONTROLLER,LEIGHTRONOC TS-18 (CONTROLS TAPE MACHINES) 18,400
19 2 S-VHS PLAYER INDUSTRIAL,JVC BRS522DX (PLJIYBACK ONLY) 112,992
20 2 S-VHS RECORDER INDUSTRUIL,JVC BRS822DX W\TBC (FOILING RECORDER) 517,850
21 1 CHARACTER GENERATOR, ALLAOIN (TEXT AND GRAPHICS GENERATOR. ALSO STILL STORE AND DVE) 514,000
22 1 MODEM j560
23 1 COMPUTER (SCHEDULES EVENTS) j2,380
24 1 COMPUTER (FOR GRAPHICS SYSTEM) 52,380
25 1 PRINTER 5630
28 1 MIXER, HACKIE MS1402, AND CD PLAYER FOf't.AUDK) BED ;1,260
27 1 MODULATOR, FIBER j5,600
28 1 DEMODULATOR, FlBER j4,200
29 1 EQUIPMENT RACK W/ POWERSTRIP 51,750
30 1 MISC WIRING M1D CABLES j700
31 1 UPS (UNINTERRUPTABLE POWER SUPPLY) j700 _
32 TOTAL 573,402
HIGH COST
ITEM QTY DESCRIPTKN TOTAL
33 1 FILE SERVER, MEDIAPOOL, BTS XL-2100,11 HRS AT 8:1 COMPRESSION (PLAYS VIDEO/ AUDIO TO'NR7 5210,000
34 2 S-VHS PLAYER INDUSTRUIL,JVC 55000 (USED TO LOAD FlLE SERVER) S7,T00
35 1 CHARACTER GENERATOR, ALLADIN (TEXT AND GRAPHICS GENERATOR. ALSO STILL STORE AND DVE) 514,000
36 1 MODEM j560
37 1 COMPUTER (SCHEDULES EVENTS) 52,380
38 1 COMPUTER (FOR GRAPHICS SYSTEM) 52,380
39 1 MOCER, HACKIE MS1402, AND CD PLAYER FOR AUDIO BED j1 ~~
40 1 MODULATOR, FIBER 55,600
41 1 DEMODULATOR, FlBER j4~00
42 1 EQUIPMENT RACK W/ POWERSTRIP 11,750
43 1 MISC WIRING MID CABLES 1700
44 1 EQUIPMENT RACK W/ POWERSTRIP 11,750
45 1 MISC WIRING AND CABLES j700
46 1 UPS (UNINTERRUPTABLE POWER SUPPLY) j4,200
47 TOTAL 5267,180
Cable a$$.xls 10