HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-09 Community Relations Committee_.. 3
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE 8-24-09
Committee Members Present: Henry Davis, Jr., Chairperson, Community
Relations; Ann Puzzello; David Varner
Other Council Present: Timothy Rouse; Oliver Davis; Tom LaFountain;
AI Kirsits; Derek Dieter
Others Present: County Councilmember Mike Kruk; Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand; George Lane; Dave
Wemhoff
Agenda: Bill No. 09-58 -Request that all Boards & Commissions Having
Councilmember's as Representatives hold meetings at time not in
conflict with Council Meetings.
Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr. presiding asked Councilmember Oliver Davis
sponsoring Bill No. 09-58 to make the presentation. Councilmember Davis
simply stated the bill recommends Boards and Commissions with representatives
of the Council schedule meetings at a convenient time not I conflict with regularly
scheduled Council meetings. Councilmember Ann Puzzello asked if the request
applied to Boards on which Councilmembers sat; but not as Council
appointments. Councilmember Rouse sad it was limited to those Boards that
report to the Common Council and to which we (Council) have appointments.
Having received clarification Puzzello motioned to accept the substitute bill.
Councilmember Varner seconded. All supported. Councilmember Puzzello then
motioned to send the substitute favorably. Councilmember Varner again
seconded and all supported.
Under Miscellaneous, Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr. allowed George Lane who
had come to speak to the committee under miscellaneous.
Given the opportunity George along with attorney Dave Wemhoff outlined their
efforts to promote Public Access Michiana (PAM), a newly formed non-profit that
would provide programming on a public access television channel. They said
since cable vision was no longer required to provide a channel for public access
there has been no public forum for discussion and dissemination of information.
However, due to their efforts PAM has taken the initiative to contact WNIT who
will allow studio time and space for public access broadcasting. Funding
necessary for staffing, programming, and production remains a questions.
George hope South Bend would dedicate as much as 40% of the $800,000 the
city received annually in the form of franchise fees, George then asked Mike
Kruck to report on their fact finding mission to Ft. Wayne. Mike said Ft. Wayne
dedicates 40% of their $1,000,000 annual fee to support such an enterprise as
was being proposed here. Discussion as to whether other governmental
agencies in St. Joseph County had been asked to pitch in. It was said
expressions of support if not dollar commitments had been forthcoming.
Councilmember Rouse indicated any dollar requests should be made to the
administration in that the general rule in financial appropriations was that such
proposals come from the Mayor for consideration by the Council. George Lane
said PAM would continue their drive for support.
There being no further business to come before the Committee at this time.
Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr., adjourned the meeting at 5:53 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Henry Davis, Jr., Chairperson
Community Relations Committee