11-19-1990 - Regular Meeting - MinutesM I N U T E S
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
November 19, 1990
The adjourned regular meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order
at 7:30 pm by Mayor Tarozzi at the WCCT Studios located on the Mt. SAC campus,
Library Building, Walnut.
ROLL CALL Mayor Tarozzi, Mayor Pro Tem McFadden, Councilmembers
Herfert, Jennings, Manners
Others Present: Thomas, Wylie, Manheim, Berry
Representatives from Mt SAC cable programming and the
representative from Cencom.
TOUR OF WEST COVINA COMMUNITY TELEVISION FACILITIES
Upon conclusion of a tour of the facilities where students
and faculty air'. WCCT, explanations were given regarding
programming time slots, student involvement, contract
funding, and the tripartite agreement between the City
of West Covina, Mt. SAC, and Cencom Cable Company.
TELECASTING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
Community Information Coordinator Manheim presented the
staff report covering the statistical returns of a recent
survey, the possibility of opening the government channel
55 in addition to 56, and the pros and cons of airing live
as opposed to tape delayed broadcasting.
Mr. Manheim noted the survey generated a seven percent
response falling short of the necessary 25% to 33% return
that would make it a statistically valid survey. However,
the majority of respondents did favor live telecasting.
The Cencom representative noted that 40% of the house-
holds' -in West Covina subscribe to the cable network. Upon
request he presented the various charges for cable TV.
Mayor Tarozzi stated that Council could not take action
because they were out of the City boundaries, but discussion
was'.permissible:,:-Council'comments',ard:summarized-below.
Councilmember Jennings expressed concern about airing
the meetings live when Council often conducts closed
sessions during the meeting.
It was noted that if.the break times were specifically
set for a particular period of time (say ten minutes),
WCCT could broadcast segments advertising events happening
in the City or general information regarding the City.
Councilmember Jennings opposed the idea of Council being
"dictated" by the television timing constraints.
Councilmember Manners felt that indeed there was a place
for airing!Council meetings on cable television, per the
response from the survey and comments she has received.
She was not sure that televising the meetings live would
improve-anything•atrthis point,; althoughr."she'couldrbe u .
persuaded otherwise.
Councilmember Herfert felt televising the meetings live
would be exciting for the citizens and supported'.the idea.
He didn't favor at this point changing to Channel 55, but
felt it should be activated'for emergency purposes.
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COUNCIL MINUTES November 19, 1990
Page Two
Councilmember McFadden wanted more information regarding
televising Council meetings live and then replaying the
meeting two more times in a week and the impact of "over
kill."
Mayor Tarozzi supported Councilmember Manners' comments,
also noting that currently the Council meeting is taped
and played on Tuesday evening and Saturdays. The Tuesday
evening tape is not "old news" because the Tribune reports
on the Council meetings in the Wednesday's edition. He
saw no reason to open Channel 55 at this time.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS No comments offered.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Manners, seconded by Jennings,. and unanimously
carried to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 pm.
City C1erk.Janet..Berry
11
Mayor Bill Tarozzi L—
mm