| SLUG: COUNCIL
Rptr 2012-02-08
Date: FROST TRT: |
Date: ____________________________ Circle: M T W Th F ME – 6:30 o 7:30 o 8:30 o
Date: ________________________ Circle: M T W Th F ATC – 5:30 o 6:30 o |
In an update of an exclusive story we brought you last month when we reported that the Board of the Redding Community Access Corporation had approved a one year contract with the City Of Redding – The City Council last (Tue) night gave its approval to the agreement. Northstate Public Radio Reporter Kelly Frost has more.
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The Redding Community Access Corporation or RCAC operates a public access channel on Charter Cable channel 11. Subscribers pay a portion of their monthly bill, known as a PEG fees to support the operation. That money, to the tune of $70,000 per year is cycled through the city coffers before it gets to RCAC. For the past several years producers have complained that they were being shut out of the studio, and even board meetings. Support Services Director Rod Dinger told the council that as part of the new contract RCAC must be more up front in its monetary handling, and it must also open up its board meetings.
“RCAC to conduct open meetings, to create and publish a schedule of meetings. To review their bylaws on an annual basis, to review and update their rules and regulations on an annual basis. To create and publish a fee schedule. To maintain an inventory of equipment purchased with PEG funds. To participate in an annual “State of RCAC” presentation to the City Council where they can highlight their programming and success stories from the previous year”
One of the biggest critics of RCAC over the years has been Sharon Waranius. She told the council she’s optimistic about the changes.
“When RCAC finally develops and starts running where its affordable to everybody, and its user friendly enough and doesn’t scare people, and they promote it, promote it, to the entire community and let people know it’s there, I believe people will start using it. And when they get it so that our shows can run on the internet, TV is not outdated, PEG stations are not outdated”
And if the changes aren’t being made fast enough to satisfy the council, it can exercise a 90 day opt out option at any time. For Northstate Public Radio News, I’m Kelly Frost in Redding.
