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Board amends franchise fee language, cutting proposed PEG fee to 1.15% to sustain public access channels
Summary
Supervisors amended a proposed administrative-code change to lower a fee on state video franchise holders and signaled city and vendor commitments intended to sustain public, educational and government (PEG) access operations through the coming year.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday amended an ordinance to set a fee for state video franchise holders to support public access and other PEG (public, educational and government) channel activities, reducing the originally discussed fee from 3% to 1.15% and seeking a separate operational contribution from Comcast.
Supervisor Mercurimi (sponsor) and other supporters framed the change as triage to sustain public access operations through April 2010 while the city and state seek longer-term solutions. Deputy City Attorney explained that the amendment reduces the fee level and adds language allowing the city to use funds for PEG operating expenses if state or federal law changes to permit such use.
Ron Vincent of the Department of Technology told the board that SFGTV and the PEG channels have both capital and operating needs. He said the department prepared a budget for 1.1% that would sustain operations for roughly three years and identified capital needs including about $600,000 in upgrades within the chambers alone.
Supporters said the amendment balances urgent operational needs with longer-term capital planning; they emphasized that the deal was reached after discussions with Comcast, Department of Technology staff, and community access advocates. Supervisor Mercurimi said the package includes a direct contribution from Comcast to PEG operations in addition to the lowered fee, and Department of Technology representatives confirmed the agreement and said the funding level would address the channels’ needs in the near term.
After amendment, the ordinance passed on first reading by roll-call vote (8 ayes, 3 noes). Supporters described the measure as a temporary step to keep PEG operations running while statewide franchise rules and funding possibilities are pursued.
The ordinance text and the amendment reserve capital funding under the fee structure and include contingency language to allow operating uses if state or federal law changes to authorize such expenditures.
