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Committee approves government-channel spending but stalls full reauthorization for public-access channel pending plan
Summary
Committee members voiced frustration that the community/public PEG channel has lacked a staffed home and a plan since LCAT left; the committee approved reauthorization for the government portion (~$108,000) but asked the administration to deliver a detailed plan with milestones, a studio location and staffing proposal for the public channel before further spending.
City staff and the IT director said the city has collected approximately $216,000 year to date in PEG franchise funds but that the public/community channel (formerly run by LCAT) lacks an operational studio or staff after the nonprofit sold its building. Councilors said the community channel has "flunked" for lack of a concrete plan and asked for specific milestones before authorizing broad spending on the public-access component.
The committee voted to authorize the government portion of the PEG funds (roughly one-half of the city's share) for city use, and asked staff to return with a written plan for the public/community channel that includes: a physical location for a studio, equipment list, a budget and timeline for hiring/contracting, and measurable milestones that the council can review before approving additional spending.
IT staff and the CAFO indicated the administration intends to find a home for the public channel and to use funds for equipment and staffing, but council members said they want to see a workplan and timeline before releasing money for the community channel.
