HomeMy WebLinkAboutEncouraging the City to Study the Feasibility of Implementing a Local Public Polling System (2) RESOLUTION
4517-15
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
December 14, 15
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Attest: I/:%� City Clerk
Attest' ---■...._---- _ President of Common Council
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
December 15, 15
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cL t . City Clerk
Approved and signed by me 1-›-Praw..1s../ / 6 201L.
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RESOLUTION NO. 4517-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA, ENCOURAGING THE CITY TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF
IMPLEMENTING A LOCAL PUBLIC POLLING SYSTEM
Whereas, for the past few years creative options have been proposed to develop
opportunities to have public discussion on topics with individuals letting their voices be
heard via telephone, email and social media with the results being forwarded to the
Common Council and the City Administration; and
Whereas, such a concept was shared with representatives of Michiana Public
Broadcasting Corporation (MPBC) in the fall of 2013 to see if they or Michiana Access
Television (MATV) with MPBC operates would be a potential facilitator of such a project;
and
Whereas, a detailed 5-page response was sent by MPBC on September 13,
2013, a copy of which is attached and incorporated herein by reference; and
Whereas, in light of the projected cost for the project being over two (2) years
old, noting that the projected costs in 2013 were estimated to be "First year Start U;
$518-633,000 Additional years: $83,000-198,000", and that the civil city budget for the
2016 calendar year has been established, the opportunity to discuss this concept to that
it can be a priority in the 2017 budget..
Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South
Bend, Indiana, as follows:
Section I. In the interest of enhancing the local decision-making process by letting
resident voices be heard via telephone, email and social media with the results being
forwarded to the Common Council and the City Administration, the Council's Information
and Technology Committee in conjunction with representatives from the City
Administration's Information and Technology Division of The Department of
Administration and Finance, are encourage to publicly discuss and receive public input
on the feasibility of implement a local public polling system or a public information
gathering system including but not limited to the system described above.
Section II. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by
the Common Council and approval by the Ma or.
Henry Davis, Jr., 2"d District C cil Member
South Bend Common Council
Votes in Favor
Votes in Opposition 0
Attest:
John Voorde, City Clerk
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana, on the �Y
Day of atz..cv,,,.,La ,/ , 2015 at C:S'(o'clock ot .m.
Janice lboom, Deputy City Clerk
Approved an signed by the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana, on the
\o3'`day of UkcM- ji.- , 2015 at L=$' o'clock ft .m.
Pete Buttigie: _y•
City of Sout Bend, Indiana
Filed it Office
PRESENTED i1,-144-ir CQ,S w--r-6ek r 1.4 CU15
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F.IOI APPROVED LE CLERK,
CITE CLER'C, tit i SI NERD,IN
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Common Council
City of South Bend Indiana
Henry Davis,Jr.,2nd District Council Member
4th Floor County-City Building
227 West Jefferson Boulevard
South Bend,Indiana 46601
(574)235-5983 (574)235-9173 Facsimile (574)235-5567 TTY/TDD
November 16, 2015
The South Bend Common Council
4th Floor County-City Building
• South Bend, Indiana 46601
Re: Local Public Polling System Resolution
Dear Council Members:
The attached Resolution is filed to formally begin public discussion on the feasibility of
implementing a local public polling system. Such a system would provide the opportunity for
members of the public to send their input via telephone, email and social media on specific city
topics, with the results being forwarded to the Common Council and the City Administration.
I believe that such a program would be an improvement over instances of misinformation or
varying information being shared, often which is incomplete, which results in many members of
the public becoming frustrated. Unfortunately, recent examples of this have occurred and
impacted the residents in both the 2"d and 6th Districts.
I have attached a detailed information and projected costs which I have received. I request that
this information be sent to the Council's Information and Technology Committee. Thank you.
Most .i erely,
dow
Davis, Jr.
2"d District Council Member
Attachments
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September 13, 2013
Hon. Henry Davis Jr.
Councilman, 2nd District
City of South Bend, 4Th Floor
227 W. Jefferson Blvd
South Bend, IN 46601
Dear Councilman Davis:
Michiana Public Broadcasting Corporation (MPBC), which operates Michiana Access Television (MATV)on
behalf of the Cities of South Bend/Mishawaka and St. Joseph County, is formally responding to a series of
discussions we have held with Mr. David Frank regarding his vision to create a new opportunity for
community discourse in the greater South Bend area. Mr. Frank has asked me to respond directly to you.
In our conversations. an urgent community need was described to create a means for ordinary citizens to
have a larger, more impactful, voice on the media. This new"voice"should include "live"commentators
discussing a topic, and allow citizens to interact with the program by telephone, e-mail, and social media.
There is also a goal to develop an electronic voting/polling system to measure viewers' thoughts on an
issue.
Out of our dialogue, MPBC is encouraged by the potential of this concept to expand the role of public
media, and within our role with MATV is willing to facilitate the project. To assist the advocacy of this
concept, MPBC has developed a framework for the structure of this concept and has researched the start-
up costs. For the sake of these discussions, we will use the working title"Talk of the Town" (TT) to
describe the general concept of the program.
Background
Michiana Public Broadcasting Corporation was fortunate to inherit the former WSBT Television and Radio
Studios. They are primarily used for the operations of Michiana's PBS station, WNIT. More recently MPBC
was contracted to provide services for Michiana Access Television. Our facility includes the unused, former
studio of popular morning radio host, Jon Thompson, "JT in the Morning." While most of the building has
been extensively remodeled, the Jon Thompson studio remains basically intact. Designed for its radio host
to have conversations with guests, it can accommodate four additional persons around a large console.
We believe this studio can be redesigned for television, using simple technology, and become a means to
regularly feature multiple guests for discussions of community interest on MATV.
The Basic Idea
"Talk of the Town" (working title) will be a regular on-going "discussion /talk" program on the public access
channel, MATV channel 99, and video steaming on the internet. At its start, TT could be regularly
scheduled in prime viewing time, once per week for two hours. After a trial period, it is anticipated that TT
would evolve to a daily one-hour program. Further growth could come with a second daily time period,
perhaps in the morning or afternoon. Time periods could also be expanded.
Each show could consist of half-hour topic"blocks." A host/moderator and citizen commentators would be
in-studio to discuss the topic. Viewers will have an opportunity to telephone or e-mail questions to the host.
A means to poll viewers and tally results is targeted for the future. Guest commentators for each topic
would be rotated. "Talk of the Town"would intend to have all perspectives of an issue represented.
The studio technology would be designed for simple operation. Rather than a full production crew
operating cameras and staffing the control room, the TT studio would be outfitted with multiple, inexpensive
robotic cameras controlled and operated by the host. Additional staffing would be required to screen
telephone calls. The "character"of the studio would be preserved to give the feel of a talk show
environment.
Organizational Structure
MPBC recommends that a separate non-profit entity be established for administrative structure, operations
and accountability. Perhaps the original Public Access Consortium that advocated for the reinstatement of
the channel could form the core group? This committee would appoint an Executive Producer and
establish an Editorial Committee. The Executive Producer would select the host/moderators, guests, and
provide all coordination. The Editorial Committee would monitor content and research and establish topics
for discussion. The overriding objective of"Talk of the Town" is to provide an outlet for a diverse range of
opinion, with representation of all races, genders, and ages. This program becomes the public's media
platform.
TT would be totally operated by the new entity. MPBC would only provide support services, as it does for
MATV, and remain content neutral. All editorial direction must come from the citizen committee.
Potential to be on WNIT
Although MPBC keeps MATV operations and programming totally separate from WNIT/PBS programming,
MPBC would consider a variation of TT as a weekly feature on WNIT if the program is successful and we
determine it benefits the civil discourse of community issues.
The program may also have the potential of carriage by a radio station.
The Costs associated with Michiana Public Broadcasting
MPBC costs associated with the project include studio remodeling, equipment, space rental, and staffing.
Remodeling and Equipment
Based upon initial estimates from equipment vendors and building contractors, the following costs can be
used as guidelines:
Studio remodeling and cabinetry: $35,000
o Reconfigure console
o Refinish console
o Seating
o Stylize walls
o Add electrical for lighting
o Additional soundproofing
o HVAC modifications
Equipment and installation: $375,000
o Robotic cameras
o Video switcher
o Character Generator(s)
o Microphones
o Audio mixer
o "Talk radio"telephone system
o Lighting package, as required
o Video/Audio Routing
o Master Control/Automation System configuration
o Electronic Opinion Voting System development and equipment
Contingency: $25,000
TOTAL: $435,000. All equipment purchased shall be considered a gift/grant to MPBC and become its
property. First priority for use of the equipment shall go to MATV.
Studio Rental and Maintenance
Michiana Public Broadcasting Corporation will allocate additional building space to the Public Access
project(and master contract)for the"Talk of the Town"studio. MPBC proposes a rental fee of$2,500 per
month, for part-time use of the studio space, including utilities and equipment maintenance and repairs.
At times the "Talk"studio is not being used for public access purposes, it could be used for other MPBC
work, if any
TOTAL: $30,000 per year
MPBC Staffing
Management/Supervisory oversight by MPBC, $1,000 per month
A Receptionist/Production Assistant will need to be provided by MPBC for an hour before each program,
the program itself, and a half-hour afterwards. The fee shall be$75 per program
TOTAL: $33,000-$48,000 (any surplus shall roll-over to following year)
Summary of MPBC Costs:
Start-up and First Year
Equipment $435,000
Space/Maint., per year 30,000
Staffing, per year 33,000 — 48,000
TOTAL: $498,000 -513,000
Each Additional Year:
Equipment As may be requested
Studio Rental, $ 30,000
MPBC Staffing 33,000—48,000
TOTAL: $63,000— 78,000
Costs Associated with Talk of the Town Governing Entity:
Legal $ 10,000
Liability Insurance 10,000
Host/Moderator 75,000*
Telephone Coordinator 25,000*
TOTAL: $20,000— 120,000
*If it is determined to use professionals in this position rather than volunteers.
Grand Totals (Combined Costs)
First year Start Up: $518,000—633,000
Additional years: $ 83,000—198,000
Next
In order for MPBC to proceed, the following "Next Steps" need to occur.
✓ The City Council of South Bend agrees, in principle, with the concept.
✓ The City of South Bend issues a letter of intent to Michiana Public Broadcasting Corporation to
pursue the project and directs MPBC to consult in the development of a governance plan for the
Talk Show project
✓ In parallel, the City and MPBC develop an addendum to the existing Public Access Channel
agreement to initiate the added services
✓ The City approves the final cost estimates and signs the Added Services Addendum.
✓ The TT governing entity is put in place and liability insurance secured.
✓ The City advances fees to MPBC to pay for the additional equipment and remodeling required.
✓ Construction and equipment acquisition /installation are completed
✓ "Talk of the Town" is launched, approximately 120 days from receipt of equipment funding.
Based on our current understanding of the concept and our interpretation of the technical needs, this is the
best advice and cost estimates we can provide at this time.
MPBC believes this idea has merit, and if executed well, will open new and exciting opportunities for
citizens to weigh-in on issues which impact their lives.
MPBC is happy to assist you in explaining any of the information provided and ideas we have proposed.
Sincerely,
Michiana Public Broadcasting Corporation
Greg Giczi
President and General Manager