Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission Meeting - September 23, 2024

The Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission met on September 23, 2024, at 2:31 PM. The meeting covered approval of an ad hoc committee for a community grant program, authorization of a subpoena for DirecTV audit, reclassification of a staff position, approval of the final FY2024-25 budgets, and reports from channel licensees. All votes were unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ron Herman (SAC Live TV) reported on collaboration with Access Sacramento, creation of the "Powerhouse Podcast" covering community issues, and community outreach events. He encouraged commissioners to share local events for coverage.
• Ms. Rhodes (SECC) reported on the school year's start, growth in student media programs, 13 grant requests for fall (double the normal), and upcoming events including Siva TV season and CVA Fest. She invited commissioners to visit school sites.
• David Lowe (KVIE) announced the KVIE Art Auction (270 artists, on display until September 25) and a Sacramento City mayoral debate on October 23, co-hosted with the Sacramento Bee.

Discussion Items

• Item 6: Community Grant Program Ad Hoc Committee – Interim Executive Director Bob Davidson presented the program, established with $200,000 in grants and $50,000 in scholarships. The ad hoc committee will review applications. Commissioners Sloan, Siri (absent but interested), Ransom, and Vanessa volunteered. The committee formation was approved unanimously.
• Item 7: Subpoena for DirecTV Franchise Audit – Josh Nelson explained that DirecTV is taking a position that aggregated information cannot be disclosed publicly. To proceed with the audit, the commission authorized issuance of a subpoena. Unanimous vote.
• Item 8: Reclassification of Administrative Services Officer 1 to Confidential – Davidson explained the need for confidential status due to small office size. The position will receive a 5% salary adjustment. Approved unanimously.
• Item 9: Final FY2024-25 Budgets – Davidson presented a detailed review of declining franchise fee revenue. Franchise fees are estimated at $9.4 million (down from $10.25 million preliminary budget), a reduction of $850,000. Total revenues reduced by $523,000, with corresponding expenditure reductions. Revenue distribution to member agencies reduced from $6.7 million to $6.3 million (a $370,000 reduction). The Peg Fee fund was also adjusted. The final budgets were approved unanimously.
• Item 10: Reports of Channel Licensees – (See Public Comments above)
• Item 11: Reports of State Franchisees – No comments.
• Item 12: Executive Director Report – Davidson introduced new staff: Jonathan Hart (Senior Office Assistant), Patrick Roche and Michael Johnson (Production Assistants). Update on executive director recruitment (ad hoc committee interviewing candidates). Status of audits: Comcast audit ongoing, DirecTV audit pending subpoena, commission audit nearly complete. Presented a new newsletter for outreach. Kristen Riggs (Production Director) showed new bulletin board slides and a cable complaint PSA video. She also announced election forums on September 20 and a proposal on cable casting fees in November. Metro Cable will begin airing Folsom Cordova Unified School District meetings.
• Item 13: Board Comments – Chair thanked staff for arranging interviews. Item 15 was dropped with a unanimous vote.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of the Community Grant Program ad hoc committee (Item 6).
• Unanimous approval of subpoena authorization for DirecTV audit (Item 7).
• Unanimous approval of reclassification of ASO1 to confidential (Item 8).
• Unanimous approval of the final FY2024-25 general fund and peg fee fund budgets, including all attachments and exhibits (Item 9).
• Unanimous vote to drop Item 15 (closed session executive director recruitment action) with no action taken.
• The meeting then moved to closed session.