02-23-12 Information & Technology Committee

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FEBRUARY 23, 2012 INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY Committee Members Present: David Varner, Chairperson; Henry Davis, Valerie Schey, Tim Scott Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter, Karen White, Fred Ferlic, Gavin Ferlic, Oliver Davis Other's Present: Marcus Ellison, Peter Helland, Pat Crowley, Murray Miller, Angel Hernandez, Mayor Pete, Mike Schmuhl, Kathryn Roos, Sherri Miller -Story, George, Lane, Gary Gilot AGENDA: BILL NO. 12 -13 — APPROVING A LOCAL SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GOVERNEMENT ACCESS CHANNEL Chairperson David Varner opened the review of Bill No. 12 -13, the only matter on the committee agenda, with full committee in attendance. Varner began by asking Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski - Farrand to provide a brief background. She said that the State legislature in 2006 gave cable franchise oversight to the Utility Regulatory Commission including collection of fees which were to be disbursed to local governments based upon local subscription. The state also eliminated the requirement for local public access channels. Since the last public program telecast in September of '07 the Council has listened to the public wanting local programming. At the Council's behest the Board of Public Works took the lead to set up a publicly funded public access telecasting. The Council asked the Board of Public Works to see that an RFP be drawn that would provide professionally managed programming with an equitable sharing of costs among the City of South Bend, Mishawaka, and the County. Ultimately WNIT was low bidder at $85,000. However even though Mishawaka and the County only agreed to fund $10,000 each, the Council okayed a first year $65,000.00 contribution with the tacit agreement a more equitable split would be agreed to in year two. Chairperson Varner then turned to Angel Hernandez representing WNIT, the winning bidder. Mr. Hernandez spoke to WNIT's plans to work with Ivy Tech and other community based organizations to produce educational informative programs to be monitored by a Community Advisory Board.