sr-032712-3iI®
City of City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: March 27, 2012
Agenda Item: 3 -I
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kathryn Vernez, Deputy City Manager — Special Projects
Subject: Appropriate Funds for the Purchase of City TV Studio Equipment
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council appropriate the budget increases as outlined in
the Financial Impacts and Budget Actions section of this report.
Executive Summary
Beginning this fall, CityTV's studio and local election programming will be produced in a
new City -owned facility at 1654 19th Street. Property acquisition, design, and tenant
improvements have been funded by Cable television related sources. The facility is now
in need of studio production equipment in order to become fully operational and
productive. An appropriation of $450,000 would allow for the purchase of cameras,
control room equipment, audio equipment, graphics equipment and lighting equipment
needed to fully equip the studio production facility.
Background
CityTV is responsible for the government community cable channel of the City of Santa
Monica. The channel is funded, programmed, and operated by the City, and is
available to every cable television subscriber within the City. CityTV's flagship station
provides live coverage of public meetings, news, series, and live call -in programming.
CityTV programming is also streamed live on the web and some programs are also
available on -line. CityTV is known across the country for its quality programming and
innovative uses of its channel. The channel has been recognized with eleven Emmy
awards and awarded multiple other honors over the years.
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On July 8 2008, Council approved a property lease at 1654 19th Street for the new
CityTV facility. The lease term was for ten years with two five -year options and included
an option to acquire the property.
On October 27, 2009, Council approved the acquisition of the property at 1654 19th
Street. Design services were approved on December 2, 2008 and on December 14,
2010 Council approved tenant improvements for the new CityTV facility. The cost for the
acquisition of the property will be paid for by using current and future cable television
"PEG" (Public, Educational and Government Access) fees. The design and tenant
improvements have been funded by utilizing a one -time settlement payment from
Adelphia Cable, a former cable television operator in the City.
Discussion
Beginning this fall, CityTV's studio and local election programming will be produced in
the new facility at 1654 19th Street. While the facility tenant improvement costs stayed
within budget, monies from the one -time settlement from Adelphia Cable have been
fully expended. There is currently no funding available for the essential studio
production equipment that will make CityTV's new facility operational.
It is estimated that the necessary equipment will cost approximately $450,000. In order
to be fully equipped and operational on par with existing facilities, new cameras, control
room equipment, audio equipment, graphics equipment and lighting equipment, are
needed. The estimated life of this equipment is 8 to 12 years.
CityTV studio programs will be produced in partnership with Santa Monica College, the
Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District, City departments, boards and
commissions, local non - profits and local arts organizations. Volunteer producers and
hosts will work with CityTV to create the programs. Santa Monica College students will
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meet their internship requirements for their studio television production class by serving
as video production crew.
The new studio facility will save on studio rental costs and also make participating in
election programming move convenient since candidates will not have to travel to other
cities to appear in studio programming. In order to have studio production capability in
time for Fall election programming, funding is requested for FY2011 -12.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The estimated cost for the purchase of City TV Studio equipment is $450,000. The
equipment purchase will require an additional appropriation from the General Fund of
$450,000 to account 0013140.589000.
Prepared by: Robin Gee, Cable TV and Public Information Manager
Approved:
Kathryn Viarnez
Deputy City Manager, Special Projects
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Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager