02-23-12 Information & Technology Committee

Home Browse Search

The Council Committee portion began with Councilmember Henry Davis and Valerie Schey asking why South Bend had to obligate a disproportionate share. Gary Gilot serving as the head of BPW said the City took the lead and assumed a willingness to incur a majority of the first year expenses. Tim Scott wondered where funding beyond year one would come from. Gary Gilot said the city's share of the 5% cable fee is approximately $800,000 year, more than adequate for future funding. Both Councilmember Gavin and Fred Ferlic expressed a need to negotiate a more equitable split of costs with the Council and the City of Mishawaka for second year funding. Council President Derek Dieter raised the issue of funding religious programming with public dollars. Could the City be sued? In response Aladean DeRose said once the management contract was entered into with WNIT, the City was immune from lawsuit. Angel Hernandez emphasized the role of the Advisory Board exercising programming approval based upon community standards. Kathy Cekanski- Farrand agreed the City was absolved of nay potential liability with the WNIT contract. Turning to the public Councilmember Varner recognized George Lane to speak in support. George recounted his four year push for public access emphasizing the need for the people to have a voice. Carol Davis needs programming not found elsewhere. Rev. Sylvester Williams of WUBS radio said public access was good; but there importantly needed to be the inclusion of minorities, specifically the black community. He was dubious about the intent of inclusion if programming was to be monitored and approved by a yet to be named Community Review Board. He said "censorship is not public access." He said the black community should have a "piece of the pie." Rallying to his point, Councilmember Oliver Davis asked Rev. Williams to expand on the meaning of "the pie." Rev. Williams stated that 95% of public access programming has a religious flavor. He ended up saying he wanted it on record that WNIT would collaborate with the black community through WUBS. Angel Hernandez said WNIT intends to openly work with all segments of the community. Before closing the hearing Councilmember Valerie Schey again expressed dissatisfaction with the financial constructs to date and questioned future commitments. Ultimately Councilmember Henry Davis moved for favorable recommendation. Councilmember Scott seconded. It passed favorably by a vote of 3 -1, Valerie Schey dissenting. There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Varner adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.