Laserfiche WebLink
REGULAR MEETING MAY 9, 2011 <br /> <br /> <br /> <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. <br /> <br />A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. <br /> <br />The following individuals spoke in favor of this bill. <br /> <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. <br /> <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. <br /> <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. <br /> <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. <br /> <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. <br /> <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. <br /> <br /> <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. <br /> <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. <br /> 5 <br /> <br />