SR-082774-5B
A PROPOSAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE FORMATION OF
CABLE TELEVISION POLICY FOR THE CITY OF SANTA
MONICA, CALIFORNIA
23 July 1974
s
~~
a ~ ~~
~~ ~~~
Professor Marvin Adelson, School of Architecture and Urban
Planning, UCLA.
Robert Jacobson, Master of Arts Candidate, Theater Arts
Department, UCLA
Edward B. McElroy, Ph.D. Candidate, School of Architecture
And Urban Planning, UCLA
f
i
SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSAL
This is a proposal for the study of a policymaking body for the pur-
pose of developing current policy for the effective community use of an
emergent technology, cable television.
While there are several options for the make-up of the policymaking
body, the proposal focusses on the design, organization, activation, and
technical support of a Citizen's Cabletelevision Advisory Council (CCAC)
as the optimal way to achieve sound citizen input, balanced policymaking,
open communications, and careful consideration of the community needs in
the process of policy formation.
The study consists of four parts: (1) design and implementation of
the Citizen's Cabletelevision Advisory Council; (2) development of case
study materials for analysis of the problems, pitfalls, and benefits of
the policymaking process; (3) assessment of the actual effectiveness of
the policymaking body on the policy itself, the community, the local cable
company, and. local government officials; and (4) a report of the research
effort.
The study has the potential of contributing to the advancement of
knowledge of the policymaking process at a local government level, policy-
making-fora complex technology, and finally, the effectiveness of citi-
zen participation in the formation of policy for a complex technology.
Knowledge and information gained from the study will benefit not only
the local community (Santa Monica, California), but will also serve as
precedent for many similar communities in Southern California and will in-
fluence the formation of cable technology policy at the national level.
A PROPOSAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE FORMATION
OF CABLE TELEVISION POLICY FOR THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
PURPOSE
This is a proposal for the study of a policy advisory council to be
initiated for the development of cable television policy to improve the
supply of communications services in the City of Santa Monica, Californian
The primary reason for the activation of the policy advisory coun-
cil is that the City of Santa Monica will be .faced with many decisions con-
cerning its franchise renewal with Theta Cable Television, Since these de-
cisions will have great impact on the provision of services to the citizens
of the City, and since the issues involve a complex technology, it is im-
perative that sufficient thought and preparation be given to the process of
po]icy formation.
There are several approaches to the formation of po licy given the
technology and the necessity for technical information. First and most di-
rect is the deliberation by the City Council itself. Second is the utiliz-
ation of a professional group of consultants to the City Council. Third,
and perhaps most important, is the use of a citizen's group combined with
technical expertise and guidance during the citizen-group policy advisory
process.
Since the mid-sixties local government's formation of policy has in-
creasingly utilized citizen groups to accomplish two goals: (1) to increase
citizen input to policy affecting the community, and (2) to spread the in-
creased policymaking burden among a wider spectrum of the populace to re-
duce the workload of local government officials and to avoid charges of de-
cisions made behind closed doors. These two goals are the primary reasons
for the focus of the study on the citizen policy advisory process.
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GOALS OF THE PROPOSAL
The goals of the proposal are to provide maximum support to the
proposed cable television policy advisory. group, to allow for sound citi-
zen input, to provide technical expertise concerning a new technology, and
finally to support the preparation of a completed cable television policy
statement which can be disseminated to the community so as to maximize
communication, citizen information, and services for the City and its vi°
tal subgroups, all within a reasonable cost framework.
In addition to support of the citizen group, the study is designed
to learn as much as possible about a local government policy formation pro-
cess as it evolves and reaches the final policy statement.
GOALS OF THE POLICY FORMATION GROUP PROCESS
If adopted by the City Council, the following goals would offer a
starting point for the policy advisory group and the study;
1. To answer the basic policy question, "What policies should
be adopted by the City of Santa Monica for its cable tele-
vision system to maximize communication and benefits with-
in the community and within tolerable cost limits?1'
2, To establish a process for answering the policy questions
which emerge from the above question.
3. To inform the City's citizens through hearings, television
programs, and other local media, of the issues involved and
the proposed policy remedies; and to incorporate additional
citizen input as a result of the information dissemination.
4. To make a final report with policy recommendations to the
City Council.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Santa Monica was chosen as a prime locus for investigation of cable
television policy for a number of reasons. The most densely populated city
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-- in Southern California (90,000 inhabitants in 8.1 square miles), Santa
Monica has experienced strains from shifts in such variables as median age,
percent 75 years and over, and percent of renter-occupied dwelling units.
In addition, the City is also being called upon to recognize a significant
minority population (12o Chicano, 5% Black) and low-income elderly popula-
tion, it is felt that cable television could serve the community as a whole
(and the minority groups in particular) more effectively through increased
community-oriented programming such as health care information, job news,
and programming for the elderly.
Most importantly, the city houses the headquarters of the ]argest
cable system in Southern California, Theta Cable Television, whose cables
extend from the Santa Monica headend (sometimes by microwave relay) to the
heights of Pacific Palisades on through to the San Fernando Valley in the
north, east across West Los Angeles to Beverly Hi11s, Hollywood, and a host
of smaller communities, and finally south to Marina del Rey and E1 Segundo,
The study thus offers an excellent opportunity to set precedent for a large
number of communities in Southern California whose present cable television
policy is more attuned to the economic needs of the cable operation than to
the communication needs of the community,
Another important consideration in the selection of Santa Monica
is the fact that the current cable franchise expires in 1977, requiring re-
negotiation of the terms of the franchise and an opportunity for the City
to strengthen the role of cable television as a vital communication link
in addition to the role of entertainment source. The 1877 negotiations. also
coincide with the expected revision of the F.C.C. Rules and Regulations.
Thus an informed cable television policy will be a distinct asset for
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consideration of any proposed F.C.C, regulation changes vis-a-vis the role
of cable as a community information medium.
A fourth consideration in the study is the fact that the City of
Santa Monica is totally covered with an installed cable network, thus the
system is readily available for use as a community communication medium,
though the system lacks total subscription. Cable policy might thus include
recommendat[ons for C(ty and company strategies to increase subscription
.and penetration.
A fifth consideration in the study'is the need by citizens for tech°
nical expertise in the decision-making process concerning this complex tech-
nology. I'n other words, citizens must have expert technical knowledge in
addition to their intuitive knowledge for the formation of policy which will
izenefit the community to the greatest degree.
As a result of preliminary discussions and seminars with the City Man-
ager and the City Council, the City Council has expressed the need for in-
formed cable television policy and increased citizen input to the policy
formation process. They have expressed a willingness to cooperate in the
proposed study by suggesting the creation of a policy advisory group, and
in addition, have offered support throughout the process in the form of meet-
ing halls, access to information, etc., which will give the study the added
credibility of approval from local government, and eliminate some costly
items from the study budget.
SUMMARY
Briefly the study consists of four parts:
1. The design, organization, activation, and technical support
of a cable television policy advisory group designated by
the City Council.
2. Analysis of the problems, pitfalls, and benefits of such a
policymaking process,
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3. Assessment of the actual effectiveness of the policy advisory
' group on:
Cable television policy
The community itself
'~ The local cable company
%; Local government
4. A report of the research effort, its conclusions and recommen-
dations for the City, for future policy advisory councils, and
future research.
In sum, the study is potentially an important component of the policy-
making process involving complex technology, citizen participation, and loca l
government. It is all the more important~as it combines action and research
in a dynamic environment.
DETAILED METHODOLOGY
Given the three approaches to policy formation mentioned in the state-
ment of purpose on page one, and recognizing that the final decision concern-
ing the optimal approach must be made by the City Council, the first question
to be answered in the study is "Which policy formation option will achieve the.
community's objectives most satisfactorily?"
Since the City Council of Santa Monica is by and large a working Coun-
cil, meeting in the evening on the four Tuesday's of the month, and since the
City Council functions as the Parking Authority and the Redevelopment Agency
for the City, their work responsibilities militate against assuming the pri-
mart' role of investigating cable television policy at this time.
Secondly, utilizing a professional group necessarily assumes a financial
commitment which we understand the City is unwilling to make at this time.
Therefore, in this proposal we have assumed that the third approach (citizen°s
advisory group) is optimal and that the formation of a Citizen's Cable Tele-
vision Advisory Council (CCAC) can provide the best combination of citizen
input, ,technical expertise, and public information which has become so
6.
necessary in the past few years. The remainder of the proposal is thus
designed for the activation and study of a CCAC, however, it should be noted
that the study can be adapted to the first and second approaches if necessary.
PART 1 - DESIGN, ORGANIZATION, ACTIVATION, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT OF A CITI°
ZEN'S CABLETELEVISION ADVISORY COUNCIL
DESIGN
The design of the Citizen's Cable Television Advisory Council consists
of working with the City Council through the City Manager's staff in the writ-
ing of the resolution establishing the CCAC, and assisting the City Council
in the early implementation phases of the resolution.(Note: For a graphical
description of the study see Appendix III - PERT Chart.}
ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVATION OF THE CCAC
This phase will include contacting various citizen's groups, individuals,
etc., setting up initial meeting dates, times., and places and assisting in
the early stages of the policymaking process itself.
POLICYMAKING PROCESS
In goal number two on page two above, the CCAC is required to establish
a process for answering the policy questions which emerge. The following is
an example of such a process, and is by no means meant to be the anly pro-
cess which will accomplish the goals.
Basically the process envisioned entails five steps (1) basic infor-
mation gathering concerning cable television technology and the demographic
base of Santa Monica; (2) development of a general list of information needs
within the community; (3) development of the specific policy issues for the
interaction of the City and cable television; (4) conduct of hearings and
other information dissemination procedures; and (5) preparation of the final
report to the City Council.
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STEP 1 - BASIC INFORMATION GATHERING
Step 1, Basic Information Gathering, would involve answering the
following questions:
1. What is cable technology?
2. What are cable potentials?
3• What are the economics of cable operation?
4. What are Federal Communications Commission requirements?
5• What are the demographic characteristics of Santa Monica?
6. What special community subgroups must be provided for?
7. What is the existing cable system capable of accomplishing?
8. What are the terms of the existing cable franchise?
9. What are the current community attitudes concerning cable
television and its service, desirability, costs, etc.,?
(Note that these questions must be answered by all of the policy
formation options.)
STEP 2 - DEVELOPMENT OF GENERAL INFORMATION NEEDS
Step 2, Development of General information Needs of the Community,
might involve sub-committees of the CCAC which would examine the current in-
formation needs of the community in terms of the following subjects:
1. Land use and zoning practices
2. Environmental protection
3• Local government operation
~. Community welfare (health care, education, etc.)
5. Energy allocation
6. Other
These sub-committees would attempt to develop sets of situations where
the community currently lacks adequate information concerning the above subjects
(without consideration of the capabilities of cable television or other medium
to meet these information deficiencies).
The object of this step is to find out just what the community needs
in the way of information as a preliminary to forming communications policy,.
and particularly cable television policy. An example of such an information
"need" is the availability of information concerning access to the health care
system for the elderly. Here, a complex bureaucratic process may actually limit
S.
health care for elderly persons within the community. Consequently there
is a "need" for dissemination of information concerning access to the health
care system to the elderly population of the city.
STEP 3 - DEVELOPMENT OF-THE SPECIFIC POLICY ISSUES FOR CABLE T.V.
When Steps (1) and (2) above have been accomplished, the CCAC will
have a sound data base to begin to look at cable television policy and the
ways that cable television can begin to improve the access to information
needed by the community. This Step (3)> will involve. narrowing the sets of,
information needs to those most susceptible to resolution through cable
television dissemination, the conversion of those need statements to pre-
liminary policy statements, and the drafting of those statements for presen-
tation at public hearings.
STEP 4 - PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY POLICIES TO THE PUBLIC
After the major issues in Step (3) have been analysed and basic pol-
icies and procedures have been prepared, Step (4), Presentation of Policies
to the Public through hearings and other information dissemination media must
be accomplished. The purpose here is to gain additional citizen input and
feedback concerning the preliminary policies.
STEP 5 - PREPARATION OF FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS, POLICIES, AND REPORT
When hearings and other information dissemination procedures have
been completed, Step (5), Preparation of the Final Recommendations, Policies,
and Report would be completed. This report would then be submitted to the
City Council for final hearings and approval.
PART 2 -ANALYSIS OF THE POLICY FORMATION PROCESS OF THE CCAC
An essential element of the study will be the analysis of the policy-
making process itself. This will be best achieved by a historical account of
the process developed in a case study format. This part, in essence, will be
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__ a description which will serve as a partial data base for the evaluation of
the effectiveness of the CCAC process. The investigators will thus collect
data on a continuing basis during the process and will later collate and de-
velop the historical case materials. This data will also be used to formu-
late a projection to the future of the course and outcome of the policy
formation process, the effect on the City for future policymaking, and the
outcome of the franchise negotiations.
PART 3 - ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CCAC
The effectiveness of the CCAC will be examined'in four research areas:
the final cable television policy itself; the effects on community attitudes
and awareness; the effects on the cable company service, attitudes, and eco-
nomics; and finally, the effects on local government (particularly the City
Council). This assessment will be accomplished by interviews of key persons
by the investigators, examination of newspaper and other news media for shifts
irn emphasis on cable television, examination and interview of cable company
personnel and policies, and by interviews of the City Council, City Manager,
etc. The results will then be tabulated, cross-indexed, and evaluated for the
total assessment of the impact of the CCAC.
PART 4 - REPORT OF THE RESEARCH
The final step in the study will be the preparation of a report of
the policy formation process, or historical case study; an analysis of the
case study; and an assessment of the effectiveness of the process as out-
lined in Part 3• This will be disseminated to the CCAC; the City Council,
the granting institution or agency, and to the School of Architecture and
Urban Planning and the Department of Communications Studies of U.C.L,A.
to.
.COST ESTIMATE FOR THE STUDY
The cost estimate prepared for the study consists of the set of
assumptions used in preparing the cost estimate, the assignment of costs
to the various phases of the process, and the summation of total costs for
personnel, operations, supplies, and extraordinary items such as the di-
rect mail survey in the data gathering phase of Part 1, Step 1.
The assumptions used in the estimate are as follows:
1. City Hall meeting space will be available at no cost.
2. Demographic information by census tract will be available
at no cost from the City Planning Department.
3• A minimum use of "outside" consultants is planned to hold
costs to essential outside expertise. Rates are based on
$400 per day plus expenses.
4. A direct mail survey of the existing cable television sub-
scribers must be conducted to determine:
-; the quality of technical service
* the quality of local programs
the quality of other services
'~ new services desired
* basic information needs of the subscribers
The completed cost estimate, Table 1, is reproduced on the following
page.
SUMMARY
The creation of a cable television policy advisory group is essen-
tial to the formulation of informed policy recommendations for the maximiza-
tion of the benefits of cable television technology in the City of Santa
Monica. While there is a range of options for policy formation from the City
Council to a Citizen's Cable Television Advisory Council, the latter approach
incorporates the maximum amount of citizen participation, technical expertise,
and dissemination of information with conservation of valuable City Council
time, to result in Cable Television Policy which will meet the community's
11.
TABLE. 1 - COST ESTIMATE FOR A CITIZEfJ'S CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY
COUNCIL STUDY -SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA ,
ITEM PERSONNEL OPERATING SUPPLIES EXTRAORDINARY TOTAL
Part 1
Design ~ 900 20 20
Organization/Activation 1,650 940
Step 1: Basic Information 1,650
a) Mail Survey 1,450 20 SO
. Printing 1,520
. Mailing 2,600 2,600
b) Demographics 495
20 2,600 2,60.0
c) Cable Tech- 25 540
nologY 2,120 20 25
Step
2: General Informa- 2,165
tion Needs 2,160 30 50
Step
3: Analysis & Policy
3,520
40 2,240
Step
4: Presentation to
° 50 300
3,910
Committee
a). Neighborhood
Meetings 1,320 20 50
b) Advertising
1,120 1,390
. Printing 1,120
. Distribution 500 500
Step
5: Final Report
4,100
40 500
500
. Printing 100
4,240
. Distribution 1,000 1,0-00
500 500
Part 2 - Study Analysis 4,100 40 40
Part 3
- Effectiveness 4,180
Assessment 4,950 50 75
Part 4
- Research Report
5,550
20 5,075
- 100
---_
5 , 6 7 0
TOTAL 331435
-- 320
-__ 585
___
81000
421340
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-- information needs through the best use of the local franchisee
If the Citizen's Cable Television Advisory Council approach is actu-
ally used for the study it becomes extremely important that the charge to
the CCAC be clearly stated. Much detailed technical knowledge will have to
be digested, thus provision for outside expertise in the form of survey re-
search and technical advice is mandatory, If the elements are combined in a
process such as the one we are presenting, the City of Santa Monica will not
only be able to tap the capabilities of cable television, but will also en°
hance its reputation as a progressive and forward looking city.
In addition to the enhancement of cable television policy and service
for the .City of Santa Monica, the study will contribute significantly to the
knowledge of local policymaking processes and lead to improved cable tele-
vision policy throughout Southern California. The study will have its great-
est benefit, however, in the contribution to the small but growing body of
knowledge focussed around policymaking for a new technology in an era where
rapjd dissemination of information affects not only local utilization of
the technology, but also the nation as well.
APPENDIX i
The following organizations are suggested for representation in
the proposed Citizen's Policy Council:
American Association of Retired People
American Business Women's Organization
Catholic Social Services Board of Santa Monica
Chamber of Commerce
Family Service of Santa Monica
Friends of Santa Monica Public Library
Keys to the Santa Monica Hospital Clinic
L.A. Public Access Project.
Legal Aid Society of Santa Monica
Mexican American Youth Counseling Center
Ocean Park Community Center
Santa Monica City College
Santa Monica Community Chest
Santa Monica School District
Santa Monica Bay Ministerial Association
Southern California Institute of Architecture
(Santa Monica}
Theta Cable Television
Additionally, we would suggest that a member of the City Council
be delegated to act in an ad hoc non-voting capacity to observe
the CCAC deliberations and the City Manager or his designee be
appointed as chief liaison officer for the CCAC chairperson and
board.
APPENDIX ll
COST ESTIMATE BREAKDOWN
PART 1 - POLICYMAI<ING PROCESS (DESIGN, ORGANIZATION, ACTIVATION, qND TECHNICAL
SUPPORT OF A CITfZEN'g CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Design Cost
Adelson 1 day @ $400 400
Jacobson 2 days @ $125 250
McElroy 2 days @ $125 250
900
Operations 20
Supplies 20
Organization and Activation
0
Adelson 1 day @ $400 400
Jacobson 5 days @ $125 625
McElroy 5 days @ $125 625
1650
Step 1 - Basic Information Gathering
a. Mail Survey of Cable Subscribers
Printing - $0.20 x 13,000 2600
%~Mailing - $0.20 x 13,000 2000
Jacobson 5 days @ $125 625
McElroy 5 days @ $125 625
Clerical 5 days @ $ 40 200
1450
Operations 20
Supplies 50
b. Demographic information - Basic Census Data
McElroy 3 days @ $125 375
Clerical 3 days @ $ 40 120
495
c. Cable Television Technical information
4 Citizen meetings 2 months).
Jacobson B days @ $125 1000
McElroy II days @ $125 ]000
Clerical 3 days @ $ 40 120
2120
Operations 20
Supplies 25
Step 2 - General Information Needs of the Communit
4 Citizen meetings - 2months
Jacobson 8 days @ $125 $1000
McElroy 8 days @ $125 1000
Clerical 4 days @ $ 40 160
2160
Operations 30
Supplies 50
Step 3 - Analysis of Issues and Formation of Potic
Citizen's meetings - 2 months
Jacobson 8 days @ $725 1000
McElroy 8 days @ $125 1000
Consultant
(Franchise) 3 days @ $400, 1200
Clerical 8 days @ $ 40 320
3520
Operations 40
Supplies 50
Air fare (co nsultant) 300
Ste 4 - Presentation of Policies to Communit
Citizen meetings - 1 month
d. Neighborhood Meetings
Jacobson 4 days @ $125 500
McElroy 4 days @ $125 500
Clerical 8 days @ $ ~+0 X20
1320
Operations 20
Supplies 5p
b. Advertising and Handbills
Printing 500
* Distribution 500
Jacobson 4 days @ $125 500
McElroy 4 days @ $125 500
Clerical 3 days @ $ 40 120
1120
Step 5 - Final Citizen's Cable Policy Report
4 Citizen meetings - 2 months
Adelson 2 days @ $400 800
Jacobson 10 days @ $125 1250
McElroy 10 days @ $125 1250
Clerica l 20 days @ $ 40 8
4100
Operations 40
Supplies 100
Extraordinary
* Printing 1000
Distribution 500
PART 2 -ANALYSIS OF THE CITIZEN`S POLICY ADVISORY PROCESS
Adelson 3 days @ $400 $1200
Jacobson 10 days @ $125 1250
McElroy 10 days @ $125 1250
Clerical 10 days @ $ 40 400
4100
Operations 40
Supplies 40
(Note: This is the development of a case study,
i.e., on-going notetaking of the history of the
CCAC,. problems, resolutions, etc., plus the write-
up of the case.)
PART 3 -ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICY ADVISORY COUNCIL
(After their final report is issued.)
Adelson 2 days @ $400 800
Jacobson 15 days @ $125 1875
McElroy 15 days @ $125 1875
Clerical 10 days @ $ 40 400
4950
Operations 50
Supoiies 75
PART 4 - RESEARCIi REPORT
Adelson 3 days @ $400 1200
Jacobson 15 days @ $125 1875
McElroy 15 days @ $125 1875
Clerical 15 days @ $ 40 h00
5550
Operations 20
Supplies 100
APPENDIX III - PERT CHART
SANTA MONICA CCAC
Part 1
RECEIVE
GRANT - DESIGN
~ T~~
~ ORGANIZATION &
~
.~.---
- ---- ----. ACTIVATION
1 week" CCAC
-- -
3 weeks
v
POLICYMAKING
PROC
SS
E
_
~'
'
,
Step 1 ~
Information Step 2
C
i
i Step 3 1
~ Step 4 Step 5
~
_--`
~ ~ ommun
cat
on ~v,
Analysis & ~
~ =, Dissemination
~>.w Final
Gathering ~ Needs'.-` ( Poh-icy Rec., ~ -V o„n^`M_-~- -- -I Report i
2 months 2 months 2 months 1 month 2 months
Part 2
..~__.~__
CASE STUDY Par t 3
DATA COLLECTION _~ _~_^ .._.__.__.., __.._.__ _ ~_.._,__ .._._._ ._._ ._. _..~_~. __~_ ._. ___ -~ _~ .-_-
EFFECTIVENESS
continuous through ASSESSMENT
time ._..._w ..,_____-,___.
1 month
Part 4
REPORT OF j
RESEARCH 1
~
___ -__ _. ~-._.. _ j
1 month
TIME START-__-----...--- ----- ---._..----- ---.--------- - --- -... _ .~.__...._.. . ._ __.._. ------> POLICY -_- =STUDY
10 months 12 months
'~ Elapsed times
SUGGESTED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE FILING
OF AN APPLICATION WITH THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUN-
DATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CITIZEN'S CABLE
TELEVISION ADVISORY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, the National Science Foundation provides for a program of grants
for the demonstration and research of methods which wil] improve techno-
logical ties between municipa} governments and institutions, making possi-
ble the better delivery of public services; and
WHEREAS, during the past year the City of Santa Monica has felt ar.
increasing need to define its cable television policy based upon technical
information and citizen input; and
WHEREAS, the University of California, Los Angeles, through its School
of Architecture and Urban Planning, has been involved with the development
of new communication and information technology which would afford individ-
ual citizens with information and provide for the interaction and mediation
between citizen groups and units of municipal government, including the op-
portunity for analysis, dialogue, and planning regarding public issues; and
WHEREAS; it is the intent of the City of Santa Monica, California, in
cooperation with the University of California, Los Angeles, to establish an
ad hoe Citizen's Cable Television Advisory Council, which would integrate
citizen, municipal, and University expertise, and establish a communication
process between the citizenry and municipal government of the City of Santa
Monica;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA:
Section 1 -That the City Council hereby supports the application and pro-
posal to the National Science Foundation for the formation of a Citizen's
Cable Television Advisory Council for the purposes of preparing cable tele-
vision policy recommendations and for the research and study of the policy
formation process within the City of Santa Monica.
RESOLUTION
Page Two
Section 2 -That the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to
provide a minimum of support in the form of meeting halls, access to City
information (such as census data, cable television revenue data, etc.) as
required by the Citizen's Cable Television Advisory Council in the perfor-
mance of its duties.
Passed, approved, and adopted on this day of
19~a.
BIOGRAPHIES OF
RESEARCH PERSONNEL
PfARVIN ADELSOPd is currently Professor of Architecture/
Urban Design in the School of Architecture and Urban
Planning, University of California, Los Angeles. He
received his Ph.D. and A.M. from the University of Illinois;
his B.A. was awarded by Virginia Polytechnic Institute. In
addition to his teaching responsibilities, Professor Adelson
is serving as Chairperson of the Chancellor°s Policy Advisory
Board on uses of media at UCLA. A co-founder and Vice Presi-
dent of Information Transfer Corporation in Santa Monica,
Professor Adelson has served as Principal Scientist with
Systems Development Corporation, Santa :2onica; he was
appointed Executive Secretary of the Committee on Utiliza-
tion of Scientific and Engineering Manpower for the National
Academy of Science, and was a member of two Labor Department
advisory committees.
A founder of the Institute for the Future, and a member
of its advisory board, Professor Adelson also sits on the
editorial boards of several professional journals. Y7ith
a particular interest in planning and "future'° studies, as
well as the systems approach.to the solution of human prob-
lems, Professor Adelson has been the author of such recent
articles as "Croup Images of the Future" (with S. Aroni,
presented at .the Third T^Iorld Future Research Conference,
Bucharest, Rumania, August 1972), "Education: At the Cross-
roads of Decision°° (in Information Technology--Some Critical"
Implications for Decision-Makers, New York, 1972), and
"The Technology of Forecasting and Forecasting of Technology"
(in CENTURY 21:_ Human Values in a Technological Society,
Boston, 1969).
Professor Adelson is married and resides in Pacific
Palisades.
ROBERT JACOBSON is a graduate student in the Annenberg School
of_ Communications, University of Southern California. He is
enrolled in the doctoral program of Communication Theory there.
Per. ,7acobson received his M.A. and B.A. degrees from the Uni-
versity of California, Los Angeles, where he assisted in the
instruction of courses in Broadcasting History and Ethnograph-
ic Video Production. He participated in the 1973 Student Con-
ference on Film Study sponsored by the American Film Institute
and Oberlin College in Washington, D. C. He has acted as
coordinator of the advisory seminar on cable television held
for the City Council of Santa Monica in December 1973; earlier,
Mr. Jacobson served as Videotherapist for the Fernald School,
Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, and as Portable Video Production
Coordinator for the UCLA Media Center.
Mr. Jacobson is particularly interested in the citizen's
role in communication policy determinance. Besides acting as
chief researcher in the preliminary design of a communications
plan for the Los Angeles County-USC Cancer Hospital and Region-
al Research Center, Mr. Jacobson is currently preparing for
publication a work on "Municipal Control of Cable Systems."
Other works include "A Taoist/Systems Approach to a Gestalt of
Video" (Student Conference, 1973), and "The Video workshop:
Toward Video/Visual Literacy°' (presented at the 1st Southern
California Video Festival, Santa Monica, 1973}.
Mr. Jacobson is married and resides in Westwood.
EDWARD B. McELROY is a graduate student in the School of
- Architecture and Urban Planning, University of California,
Los Angeles. A candidate for the Ph.D. degree, 1'4r, McElroy
received his M.B.A. from Portland State University and his
B.S. from Michigan State University. He is currently teach-
ing courses in Public Administration at California State
College, Dominguez Hills, following an assignment as lecturer
in City and Regional Planning at the University of California,
Riverside. He has worked as a forest engineer and a forester
caith the U.S. Forest Service; more recently, P4r. McElroy has
served as a consultant with citizen groups in Westchester and
Lacuna Beach seeking advice in planning of local needs.
Together with Professor Adelson, PCi-r. McElroy has participated
in the activities of the Urban Innovations Group, SAUP, and
has been elected student member of the Board of Directors.
Mr. McElroy received a Russell Sage Grant for the presen-
tation of a prototype "State of the Region'° report for a study
on robbery in Los Angeles County. His other articles include
"Ecological Effects of the Vietnam A1ar," Journal of the
American Institute of Planners, September 1972; and "An Analysis
of the Laguna Beach General Plan," The Laguna Beach Daily Pilot,
June 1971. His doctoral dissertation is concerned with the
social impacts of cable television for a specific city and fo-r
the nation.
Mr. bTcElroy resides in West Los Angeles.
July 26, 1974
Mr. James Williams
City Manager
City Hall
Santa Monica, California 90406
Dear Mr. Williams:
Please find enclosed, for transmittal to
the City Council of Santa Monica, a copy of
"A Proposal for the Study of the Formation of
Cable Television Policy for the City of Santa
Monica, California."
TnTith the approval of the City, we are
prepared to submit the."Proposal'° to the
National Science Foundation for funding under
the RANN Program (Research Applied to National
~7eeds~. The .Office of Extramural Funding at
UCLA vaill handle the paperwork.
Please notice that the City is asked to
make some commitments; however, none is of
the financial sort, and all involve the utili-
zation of existing City facilities.
We look forward to appearing before the
Council on the designated date to secure the
approval of the Council and to initiate the
first cooperative exchange between the City
of Santa Monica and ourselves.
Sincerely,
for b1ARVIN ADELSO:d
EDWARD B. McELROY
,'~ ~~~
ROBERT E. JA~OBSON
1426 South Beverly Glen Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90024