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COUNTY OF SAN MATEOInter-Departmental Correspondence |
County Manager's Office |
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DATE: |
April 1, 2004 |
BOARD MEETING DATE: |
April 20, 2004 |
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TO: |
Honorable Board of Supervisors |
FROM: |
Steve Alms, Real Property Services Manager |
SUBJECT: |
License Agreement with the California Broadcasters Association for use of the third floor of the Fiscal Annex, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, as an overflow pressroom for all credentialed media during the term of the Peterson Trial. |
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Recommendation |
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute a License Agreement with the California Broadcasters Association for the media's use of the third floor of the Fiscal Annex, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City during the term of the Peterson Trial. |
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Background |
The County does not have sufficient space in the existing pressroom to accommodate the volume of media covering the high-profile Scott Peterson Trial. In addition, the media obtained permission from the Court to establish a live audio feed from the courtroom. However, the Court ordered that there may not be any broadcasting or recording of the court proceedings. Therefore, a bailiff must be present to enforce that order while court is in session.
At the request of various media representatives, the County developed a proposal to accommodate the special needs of the media during the high profile Scott Peterson trial. The only available facility in which the County can accommodate these special needs is the former Fiscal Annex at 2200 Broadway. No other County use of the vacant portion of the building is anticipated.
After extensive negotiations between the County and a variety of media representatives, the California Broadcasters Association (CBA) agreed to enter into a License Agreement with the County for the "Media Annex" in order to facilitate the needs of the media. Included in the services provided to the Annex, the County will provide a live audio feed of the court proceedings to a portion of the Annex.
Under the terms of the Agreement, CBA will reimburse the County for all special accommodations provided, including the cost of a bailiff assigned to monitor the live audio feed, the staff time to wire the facility for telephone and data, and necessary janitorial and utility services. The projected cost to provide such services has been divided into monthly payments of $11,639 based on the projected six-month duration of the trial. |
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Discussion |
The License Agreement enables CBA to make the Annex available to credentialed members of the media. A program for apportioning the cost of providing the annex will be established and administered by CBA without further involvement by the County. The license is revocable at the discretion of the County Manager.
The Agreement enhances the ability of the County to ensure public safety, the fairness of the trial and the routine conduct of other Court and County business. |
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Vision Alignment |
The License Agreement keeps the commitment of responsive, effective and collaborative government and goal number 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain. The License Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing the media with enhanced facilities during the high-profile trial at no cost to the citizens of San Mateo. |
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Fiscal Impact
CBA paid the initial sum of $23,278 to be applied to projected costs for the first and last months, and will be invoiced monthly throughout the trial. The fee charged to CBA will be adjusted based on actual costs incurred by the County in relation to the Media Annex. There is no net County cost. |
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