Minutes 01-19-09
APPROVED 03-16-09
CITY OF JANESVILLE
CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 2009
4:15-5:05 P.M.
Members present: Brett Wait, Dave Haldiman, Pat Thom, Renee Dommershausen and Yuri
Rashkin. Mike Collins was absent. Staff: Duane Brewer and Judi Kneece. Also present, Hedberg
Library Director Bryan McCormick.
Brett Wait, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order. Minutes of the November 17,
2008 meeting were approved.
Staff Report: At the November meeting, Yuri Rashkin suggested that City Council study
sessions be aired on JATV. Kneece met with Rashkin and contacted Acting City Manager
Jay Winzenz. As a result of those communications, Council President Loasching and
Councilmember Rashkin asked the Administration to examine the feasibility of
broadcasting sessions. A memo has been prepared by the Administration with input from
JATV recommending that study sessions be broadcast in 2009. Following one year of
study sessions, it is recommended that the Administration, JATV and Council review the
process to determine modifications for 2010. As of this date, no discussion or decision
has been made by the Council.
Another memo discussed at the November committee meeting regarding a second live
broadcast site in the community is also under review with no action taken.
JATV staff will meet with two AT&T representatives on January 29 to gather
information regarding the process to broadcast JATV programming on their U-Verse
video system. AT&T is now offering video service in selected areas of the city.
Staff and volunteers are preparing entries for the WI Association of PEG Channel’s
annual video festival. Entry deadline is January 23.
Thirty-six new programs were produced by volunteers and staff since the November
meeting. Council Rep. Rashkin produced a new talk show program “Discover
Janesville.” He plans to host more programs in the future featuring Rock County’s
history, culture and people. A new imported program, “Appetite for Entertaining” is a 30-
minute cooking program produced by Watertown Community Television.
Financial report: The 2008 year-end report will be available in February. Income from the
franchise fee was significantly less for the third quarter. The first quarter payment was
$33,127, second quarter $33,701 and the third quarter $29,728. The drop in income is due
to funding changes in the Video Competition legislation. As a result of third quarter
income, balancing the 2008 JATV budget will require additional funds from the non-
restricted fund balance.
APPROVED 03-16-09
Duane Brewer provided an update on recent equipment upgrades to support our
broadcasting capabilities. We are replacing our nearly 12 year-old playback controller
system with a newer and much improved version. The new system will allow us to
control our current playback equipment as well as provide better options for improved
programming capabilities. In the long run, the new system will provide efficiency to our
current workflow by reducing time spent producing DVD's, acquiring and entering
playback information, and loading the day's program tapes and discs into the playback
decks. Once it is completely installed and operational, the new unit will allow playback
from a video server, and can be controlled from an Internet connection. The next few
months will be a challenging transition time. All of the new processes will need to be
learned and incorporated into the daily workflow, while still maintaining current service
levels.
Rashkin inquired about Web streaming JATV programs. The 2009 capital budget does
include funding to invest in equipment for this purpose.
The next meeting is Monday, March 16, 2009, 4:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Kneece