The Austin Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission passed this resolution at its meeting on April 11, 2007.

RESOLUTION

PACT Equipment Needs and Mobile Production Vehicle

WHEREAS, capital equipment funds in the amount of approximately $1.8 million are provided by the COA/Time Warner franchise agreement and represent the franchisee’s full obligation for such funds for the remainder of the term of the franchise, which expires July 2011;

WHEREAS, these funds may be spent on the acquisition, maintenance, replacement and repair of equipment used by PEG (public, education and government) broadcast facilities, such as channels 6, 10, 11 and 16;

WHEREAS, the funds are sufficient to provide for the acquisition, maintenance replacement and repair of equipment for use in the public access facility and at Channel 6 through the remainder of the franchise period, and may leave an ending balance;

WHEREAS, public access centers across the country have successfully used mobile production vehicles for many years, with a proven track record of enhancing the value and service of public access television to the community served;

WHEREAS, there will be no cost to the City of Austin general fund to purchase a mobile production vehicle;

WHEREAS, generating additional revenue streams are vital to the continued survival of public access television in Austin;

WHEREAS, the contract between the City of Austin and Public Access Community Television (PACT) requires PACT, as part of its obligation, to raise new revenue (Section 3. Contractor obligations. Letter E, “Development and implementation of non-City revenue generating activities.”);

WHEREAS, PACT is under contract with the City of Austin to manage the City’s public access facilities and resources;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Austin Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission recommends the following:

1.That funding for access equipment acquisition, maintenance, replacement and repair from the Time Warner capital equipment fund be prioritized and budgeted for the remaining period of the franchise;

2.That a mobile production vehicle be purchased from the remaining funds;

3.That a revenue and maintenance plan be drawn up before the City proceeds with a bid solicitation or procurement of the vehicle;

4.That the vehicle be maintained, operated and managed by Public Access Community Television;

5.That use of publicly-owned assets, such as access television production equipment, is subject to commercial use restrictions and guidelines to be developed by the City of Austin;

6.That the policies for use of the mobile production vehicle shall be the same as current policies for use of public access channels and production equipment, particularly remaining consistent with PACT’s IRS non-profit status;

7.That use of the mobile production vehicle, and required training of its use, be made available to public access television producers;

8.That the City of Austin builds or provides secure storage for the mobile production vehicle, preferably at the public access facility.