COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

 

DATE:

May 23, 2011

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 7,2011

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Executive Summary – Agreement with Pacifica Community Television for Public, Education, and Governmental Access Television Services for the Moss Beach, Montara, El Granada, Princeton, Pescadero, and La Honda areas

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an Agreement with Pacifica Community Television for Public, Education, and Governmental Access Television Services for the Moss Beach, Montara, El Granada, Princeton, Pescadero, and La Honda areas, effective June 7, 2011 to June 30, 2015.

 

BACKGROUND:

In May 11, 2010, staff presented several factors to the Board as to why it was appropriate to initiate a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Public, Education, and Governmental (PEG) access provider in the County coastside area. These factors included: an evaluation of the current technology in the delivery of cable service; the County’s oversight responsibility for PEG services; Comcast’s plan to leave its coastside office where MCTV is co-located; and the opportunity to combine services with other PEG access providers in the County. The Board directed staff to prepare a RFP for a PEG access provider.

 

DISCUSSION:

Staff from the County and the City of Half Moon Bay worked collaboratively to develop the RFP that addressed public input received at public meetings and through written comments.

 

Three providers submitted proposals: Mid-Coast Television, Inc. (MCTV), Pacifica Community Television (PCT), and Peninsula TV, Inc. (PenTV). In accordance with the RFP, the proposals were referred to an Evaluation Committee, which recommended the commencement of negotiations with PCT. MCTV filed a protest regarding the recommendation and based on the totality of information, the protest was denied.

 
 

Some of the key requirements for PCT as set forth in the proposed Agreement:

   

Ensure that it is able to broadcast over Channel 27 and to simultaneously webstream all programming.

   

Broadcast the meetings of the Board of Supervisors and Mid-Coast Community Council and other local agencies as agreed upon by those other agencies.

   

Conduct open and public meetings of its Board of Directors and include as members of the Board of Directors residents from the County coastside service area.

   

Maintain office and publicize office hours and office location on its website and on Channel 27.

   

Operate and maintain a community access studio and media lab.

   

Produce video programming with PEG access equipment.

   

Provide access to equipment, training, and workshops for County coastside residents and volunteers pursuant to an annual plan to be submitted to the County.

   

Maintain a message board and website to convey specific information to the public such as emergency information, program schedules, and community announcements.

   

Maintain copyright and distribution rights that allow for the distribution of PCT produced programming to the public upon request.

   

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form.

 

Approval of this action will contribute to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a

Collaborative Community by designating Pacifica Community Television as the PEG access provider to the County coastside areas, which will provide for the delivery of service on a more regional coastside basis.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

MCTV has received two percent of the cable provider’s gross revenue for the County coastside areas received by the County on a quarterly basis from the cable provider. The PCT Agreement is structured to allow for the same payment mechanism, which is estimated to be equal to approximately $38,000 per year and will be paid by the cable budget. There will be no cost to the County general fund.