REGULAR MEETING MAY 9, 2011
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<br />Town Annual Report” filed with the Office of the City Clerk on February 24, 2011,
<br />reported “Cable TV Receipts/Cable TV Franchise” received by the City of South Bend
<br />was $817,023 in 2010, which reflects the revenues paid by Comcast and AT&T to the
<br />city. He noted that the Council’s Information and Technology Committee, which he
<br />chairs has had numerous discussions on this topic. Councilmember Varner advised that
<br />cooperative efforts between other governmental units who receive franchise revenues,
<br />and other entities should be pursued. He noted that currently, public access television
<br />programming is taking place in Bloomington, Connersville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis,
<br />Michigan City, Muncie and Richmond. Councilmember Varner stated that he is seeking
<br />support so that meaningful dialogue may begin prior to the governmental budgetary
<br />process.
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<br />A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time.
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<br />The following individuals spoke in favor of this bill.
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<br />Carol Davis, 1631 Lincolnway East, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she has always been
<br />in favor of continuing cable access even though their program was taken off the air as a
<br />result. However, when it comes to airing council meetings both city and county that
<br />something that needs to be done along with some of the departmental meetings such as
<br />Redevelopment. She reiterated that she is in favor of this and offered her help in trying to
<br />encourage St. Joseph County and the City of Mishawaka to get involved. She looked
<br />forward to getting this done.
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<br />George Lane, CEO, Chairman, Citizens for Accountability, Inc., 2405 Division,
<br />Mishawka, Indiana. He thanked and congratulated the Council on their hard work in
<br />getting this Resolution to fruition. He especially thanked Councilmember Varner,
<br />Chairperson, Information and Technology Committee for his continued support,
<br />dedication and commitment of Community-Wide Public Access Broadcasting.
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<br />Mary Press, President, WNIT Television, South Bend, Indiana, thanked the Council for
<br />this opportunity to be of service to the citizens of South Bend and St. Joseph County and
<br />to acknowledge and affirm that WNIT is ready to work with the Council to make sure
<br />that this kind of channel is managed well and professionally and is available to everyone
<br />in the County.
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<br />Angel Hernandez, Vice-President of Production, WNIT, South Bend, Indiana, confirmed
<br />everything that Ms. Press stated. He stated that public access is a great community
<br />service. It is a way that the community can express itself, it democracy at it’s best,
<br />people get an opportunity to actually experience a broadcasting opportunity and see what
<br />television is all about and at the same time present their cause and some of the great
<br />things that need to be voiced. He thanked the Council for their acknowledgment and for
<br />their wisdom in making this happen.
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<br />Peter Helland, 751 W. Ewing Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, President, Public Access
<br />Michiana, stated that he is encouraged that the Council is going forward with this
<br />Resolution. He stated that he hopes that Public Access Michiana will be kept in the loop
<br />because they want to be involved.
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<br />Councilmember Rouse made a motion to adopt this Resolution. Councilmember Kirsits
<br />seconded the motion which carried and the Resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of
<br />nine (9) ayes.
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<br />RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
<br />At 7:24 p.m. Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to resolve into the Committee
<br />of the Whole. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote
<br />of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember Rouse, Chairperson, presiding.
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<br />Councilmember Rouse explained the procedures to be followed for tonight’s meeting in
<br />accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code.
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