HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 0899
ORDINANCE NO. 899
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of North Richland
Hills, Texas, that:
The attached "Municipal Access Operating Rules and Procedures",
marked "exhibit A", are hereby adopted.
Passed and approved this 18th day of May, 1981.
/\
)' "
/ ¡
/ .!
I . / /
! ;' /
. .. ~
!' ,,/
/..-- /~;/ -----;::;; J_____
\, .~-," ¿:,. ..-:::;;.L. --;---' /. -.. í.-- -. -...."
Mayor Pro Tern - Dave Freeman"
ATTEST:
JÇi61M~¡f¿ ¿e; t.t~
/
~/
APPRrS TO FORM AND ~/ I
Rex McEntire - City Attorney
e
e
e
I
"
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CABLE ADVISORY BOl\RD (NRHCAB-L
MUNICIPAL ACCESS OPERATING RULES iU'ID PROCEDURES
OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of the Municipal Cable Channel should include:
A. To provide public service information to the citizens of the City,
B. To widen the dissemination of the activities of the legislative
and advisory bodies of the City,
C. To increase the knowledge of the citizens as to the various functions
performed by their city government,
D. To provide additional information to citizens needing access to
the various city departments,
E. To assist in training of appropriate city departments.
OVERALL POLICY
Programming shall provide direct, non-editorial information to the citizens
of the city concerning the operations and deliberations of their city govern-
ment.
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
A. Modes of Operation
1. Live Cablecas~ - This may consist of cablecasts of the City
Council meetings and other public meetings and events of general
interest at the discretion of the community.
2. Tape Delayed Cablecast - Many public meetings and events will
be videotaped for Cablecast at a later date. Some meetings
such as City Council will be cablecast both live and subsequently
by tape at other convenient times during the week.
3. Locally Produced Programs - Programs will be produced locally
to illustrate the functions or operations of some form of City
Government. These might include videotape tours of government
facilities such as parks, libraries, or the sewage treatment
plant, or might be on a specific City program such as streets,
or building inspection.
4. Outside Source Programs - Much material concerning local govern-
ment operations is available elsewhere in the country and may
be borrowed for local use. This material will be used when ap-
propriate to the City.
--~
~
5. Character Generated Announcements - During all hours of operation e
when no other programming is scheduled, a character generator
will provide a continuous display of current messages of interest
to the public.
6. Internal Training and Information ExchaTI~e - Many internal city
usages of cable are possible such as:
1. Training for City personnel
2. Information exchange between the cities on matt~rs such as
personnel programs, parks and recreation scheduling
3. Information exchange between City police departments in
regard to update status of a particular investigation,
court hearing or emergency situation.
B. Access Policy
I. Public Meetings - All public meetings of city policy-making or
advisory boards and commissions are authorized for Cablecasting.
All taping or live Cablecasting of such meetings will be coor-
dinated in advance with the board chairperson and the City
Council.
2. Informational Programmin& - All City Departments may submit re- 4IÞ
quests for programming which they feel appropriate for the
municipal channel. These may be locally produced or may be
obtained from outside sources. Only those tapes which are
consistent with the overall operating policy of the Cable
Channel shall be cablecast.
3. Character Generated Announcements - Information for the character
generated announcement may be submitted by any city department.
Announcements should be in keeping with the intent of this policy
statement.
4. Program Log - A daily log will be kept of all programming cablecast
during each day.
C. Editing Policy
1. Public meetings - Any public meetings cablecast shall not be
edited or subjected to editorial comment. Meeting coverage shall
be from gavel to gavel.
2. Departmental Programs - Any programming prepared by or provided
by an individual City Department may be modified or edited as
appropriate and as dictated bY'scheduling and manpower availability.
3. Character Generated Messages - Announcements programmed in the
character generator shall be edited to provide clarity and to
maximize the use of the character generator.
e
-2-
e
4. Error - Should h~~an error result in the cablecast of incorrect
information over the cable channel, the City and the employees
thereof shall not be liable for the inaccuracy of the information.
D. Endorsements - At no time will the channel endorse specific brand
names of products for consumer use.
E. Use of Outside Resources - In order to maximize programming, every
attempt will be made to use outside community resources to assist
in channel utilization. For instance, utilizing student interns
and work-study students to assist in special projects as well as
to assist in prcducing cablecasts of City Council and othèr meetings
under the direction of the NRHCAB staff.
F. Channel Operating Hours - It shall be the general goal of the municipal
channels to have some form of programming available continuously.
The general approach will be to utilize live and taped programming
when available during weekdays, and to have a continuous character
generated announcement service at all other hours, 24 hours a day.
G. Retention of Tapes - It shall be the general policy to retain video
tapes of locally produced events and meetings for a 3 week period.
At the end of that time, the tapes may be reused and the original
material erased. Any requests for longer retention should be made
in advance of the 3 week limit.
e
e
-3-
NORTH RICHLAJ."m HILLS S!\BLE ADVISORY ßOA.W (NRHCAB)
e
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CO~~ru~ITY ACCESS OPE~\TING RULES
In order to fulfill its purpose, the North Richland Hills Cable Advisory
Board (NRHCAB) has established the following operating rules:
I. Equipment Check-Out
A. Any person is eligible to check out equipment once they have:
1. Taken an eqùipment course taught by a qualified person and passed
the evaluation test given at the conclusion of that course, or
2. Passed the test related to that equipment's use (portapak test for
portapak usage, etc.). This test is utilized to prevent abuse of
equipment. (See Appendix B)
3. Courses are offered on a regular basis throughout the year. Charges
for the course are a set fee of $5.00 (to be paid in advance) with
provisions made for those who can't afford the set fee.
B. Once a person passes the portapak class or test he/she is issued a Cer-
tified User Card which is verification of their abilities. This card
must be surrendered whenever he/she wishes to check out equipment. The
name, address, ph"le and what the person is qualified to operate is
recorded by NRHCAß and kept on file.
e
C. Normal check out time is 24 hours during the week and 48 hours over
the weekend. Any requests for a longer check out period will be handled
by the Access Coordinator.
D. Reservations for equipment by qualified users can be made by phone or
in person to the Access Coordinator. Reservations can be made for up
to one month in advance. All reservations are made on a first corne,
first served basis.
E. Each piece of equipment that is checked out must be signed for on a
check out sheet. (See Appendix D)
II. Access Taping
A. Because of the NRHCAB philosophy of teaching the community to use com-
munication tools themselves (and because of economic necessity), NRHCAB
personnel do not, as a rule, videotape projects for community members.
It is NRHCAB's philosophy that it is in the community's best interest
to learn the videotape procedures themselves so they are not dependent
upon someone else to produce their ideas. With its limited staff,
NRHCAB could not possibly tape everything for the community given the
other functions that are necessary to keep the access operation alive.
e
-4-
e
However, when an organization or individual contacts NRHCAB and
is in need of having something taped we will state the follòwing:
that NRHCAB is not a production house; that NRHCAB will try to find
volunteers (from the NRHCAB Volunteer File) to tape their event;
NRHCAB will then recommend that this organization (or individual)
requesting the taping select a person(s) to take one or several
of our classes so that they can tape their own events in the future.
In exceptional cases where an event is to take place that would
obviously benefit, and is of interest to the whole coæ~unity,
NRHCAB will make every effort to see that this event is taped by
employing its own staff in the project (if volunteers cannot be
located).
B.
Parts of another person's tape cannot be used without written per~ission
from the original producer.
c.
No copyrighted material will be cablecast without written permission
from the copyright holder.
D.
Tapes in progress will be held three weeks. If nothing has been done
with the tapes, or we have not heard from you, they will be erased,
as needed, at the discretion of the Access Coordinator.
III. Access Playback Procedures
A. Anyone may submit a videotape for a~rlng on the access channel. All
tapes that are submitted are evaluated according to three criteria:
e
l. Technical Standards. The Access Coordinator scrutinizes the sub-
mitted tape to see whether the tape will hold up when played back
over the cable system. Obviously, tapes produced by citizens are
not expected to meet regular broadcast TV standards. However,
those tapes which) in the Access Coordinator's opinion, ,-ill con-
sistently tear or otherwise not carry a stable signal over the
cable system will not be cablecast.
2.
Content.
previewed
ation are
All tapes submitted to NRHCAB for access playback are
for content evaluation. The criteria for this evalu-
based upon community standards.
If questions arise about a particular videotape. and the Access
Coordinator is unable to negotiate a satisfactory solution with
the tape's producer, the entire NRHCAB will make a decision
jointly as to whether the tape should be aired.
B. Under no circumstances are profit or commercially oriented programs
to be sponsored by NRHCAB.
C. A Cablecasting Request Form must be filled out by the producer for each
tape submitted to the Access Coordinator for playback purposes. The
form states the date(s) and time(s) reserved for the playback of that
tape.
e
D. All such reservations for playback time slots will be made on a first
come, first served basis.
-5-
E. You may schedule your tape to run no more than three times a week.
F. Be sure your tape and the time you schedule for it are the same.
It is the duty of a cablecaster to cut short any tapes that run
over their scheduled time. It also places a burden on the cable-
caster should your tape run short.
e
IV. Training
A. The following courses will be made available to the public at a fee
of $5.00 per course (to be paid in advance):
I. Basic Portapak (a minimum of 8 hours of instruction) (S2~ Appendix
A)
2. Advanced Portapak and Production (a minimum of 8 hours of in-
struction)
3. Editing and Post-Production (a minimum of 8 hours of instruction)
B. Additional courses will be added as the need arises.
V. Records
A. Unavailability File. In this file are recorded the requests for equip-
ment that were turned down, along with the reason why equipment was
denied (i.e. equipment down for repairs, all equipment is checked out,
or whatever).
e
B. Maintenance of Equipment File. Each time a piece of equipment is
broken and/or sent out for repairs it is recorded in this file.
c. Advertising File. In this file are kept copies of every advertisement
put in any media by or for NRHCAB. Also, any articles about NRHCAB
are filed here.
D. Volunteer File. The personal data and availability of every person
volunteering to help on projects other than their own are recorded in
this file.
E. User and Affiliate Lists. This file of lists includes:
1. List of active access users.
2. Certified NRHCAB users list.
3. NRHCAB membership lists.
4. NRHCAB affiliate organization list.
e
-6-
--
e
e
e
VI. Administrative Functions
A. The staff of the North Richland Hills Cable Advisory Board will perform
r-._~-;¡o-
the forrowing functions:
1. Coordination of all training programs.
2. Coordination of portapak and studio usage.
3. Coordination of access playback.
4. Program scheduling.
5. Screening of all access playback tapes.
6. Minor equipment repair.
7. Publicity and public relations.
8. Documentation and evaluation of programs, viewer feedback, and
equipment usage.
,,-rex
.",'
(
I'
.-y',{__Ot__-/'LL-
L) --r:..:>
/'¡ I
l.-G~<-/
.. .--.,
.. q-...,v--' ~
-1'-<>--- \
T-U
CL
: ./ (
S~rvl"
V tJ
'-'
ì N r:1-~;;P-;U_
-7-
NORTH RICHL<\ND HILLS CABLE ADVISORY BOARD (NRHCAB)
e
APPLICATIONS Ai\iD FORl'IS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNELS
1. Application for the use of the public access channels shall be submitted
in writing and shall identify the proposed access channel user by name
and address, and shall specify or contain the following information:
(a) The access channel desired,
(b) The day or days for access cablecasting desired,
(c) The time segment (e.g., 9:00-10:00 a.m., etc.) desired and duration
of the cablecast,
(d) The nature of the program, (i.e., audio only, video tape playback,
live, etc.). If video tape, will company-provided equipment be
required and which format,
(e) A full and complete statement of the topic or topics to be discussed
or portrayed~
(f) Whether the applicant desires use of available cablecasting equipment
for editing, the time and duration for which the use of the equipment
is requested,
e
(g) A statement that the access channel user is familiar with the defi-
nitions and operating rules of the access channel involved,
(h) A statement that no lottery is involved and that no lottery infor-
mation is to be cablecast;
(i) A statement that no obscene or indecent material is to be cable-
cast,
(j) A statement that all appropriate arrangements and clearances have
been obtained from broadcast stations, networks, sponsors, music
licensing organizations, performers, representatives and without
limitation by the above, any other and all other persons (natural
or otherwise) as may be necessary for authorization to transmit
its program material over the facilities of Black Hawk Cable Com-
munications;
(k) In the case of equipment applications, the p~oduction equipment
which will be necessary to record or present the access cablecast;
and
(1) Such other additional information as is necessary to enable NRHCAB
to properly perform its responsibilities.
2. All requests for access are to be submitted at least ten business days
in advance of the desired date and time of the proposed access cablecast.
e
-8-
e
e
e
".
3. Requests for the use of public access time on behalf of min?rs (as de-
fined under the laws of the State) should be made in the name of a respon-
sible adult. Any such minors using the studio facilities and/or equip-
ment of Black Hawk Cable shall be accompanied by a responsible adult
who shall supervise the use of the facilities and equipment and execute
the necessary assurances that authorization has been obtained concerning
the use of the studio and/or the equipment and/or appearance of any
minors on a cablecast program. The adult shall also be responsible for
liability resulting from the use or appearance by a minor. The Access
Coordinator may waive these requirements in appropriate circumstances.
4. All video tapes of programs and applications for live cablecasts that
describe program content shall be submitted to the Access Coordinator
at least two business days before scheduled to be cablecast QP that
there will be an· opportunity for review of content and technical
quality. The judgment of the Access Coordinator shall be final in these
matters with respect to the particular scheduled program.
5. All requests shall be processed on a first-come. nondiscriminatory basis
pursuant to Rules Governing Operations of the Access Channels hereof.
An access channel user may specify alternative dates and times in his
initial request.
6. Should the Access Coordinator determine or believe that the statements
in the access channel user's application are false, misleading or in-
complete concerning the presentation of advertising material. lottery
information or obscene or indecent material, Black Hawk Cable shall not
cablecast or permit to be cablecast the material or portions of the
material presented for cablecast by the access channel user.
7. Failure to comply with these rules may subject the user to forfeiture
of the right to use a public access channel for a period of time appro-
priate to the infringement.
-9-
NORTH RICHLu~D HILLS CABLE ADVISORY BOARD
APPLICATION FOR ACCESS Ct~NNEL CABLECASTS
( ) Public Access
( ) Leased Access
I. Date of Application
19
Local Time
2 . Name:
Person, group or organization applying
Address:
Zip
Phones:
(A/C)
(A/C)
Home
Business
3. Individual completing the application (if same as above, indicate "same")
Name:
Relationship to group/person in item 2 above
Address:
Zip
Phone:
(A/C)
Home
4. I hereby request Cablecasting Access as follows:
a. Day of week Date Month
a.m.
b. TimE! periods to p.m.
c. Alternate: Day Date Honth
a.m.
Time periods_ to p.m.
19
19
5. Name and phone number of person to contact if different from above: If
same, so indicate:
Name
Phone (work)
(home)
6. Name and phone number of person to be present during playback or origin-
atiçm, if different from above, if same, indicate "same as item "
Name
Phone (work)
(home)
7. Nature of Program; ( ) Audio only, ( ) Video tape playback, ( ) live,
will need company equipment (yes/no)
-10-
. .
e
e
e
e
e
e
8. Full and complete statement of the topic or topics to be discussed or
portrayed (attach separate sheet, if necessary):
9.
List the groups, individuals and/or agencies to which the applicant
authorized Black Hawk Cable to release the program should it be requested.
Signed:
-11-
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CABLE ADVISORY BOARD
e
Video Tape Playback
Statement of Compliance
1. I have read and am thoroughly familiar with the operating rules governing
video tape playbacks on the Access Channel.
2. I understand that I must request playback time at least ten (10) days
in advance of the proposed playback date and that I must submit the taped
material that I intend to playback at least seventy-two (72) hours in
advance to the Access Coordinator. This screening by the Coordinator
is to check for prohibited material as set out by the Access Channel
Operating Rules.
3. Playback charges (if any) shall be fully explained to me in advance of
the playback.
4. I accept full responsibility for any disputes ar~s~ng from the unauthorized
use of copyrighted material and agree to hold blameless in any such dis-
putes the NRHCAB and Black Hawk Cable Communications and their employees.
5. False or misleading statements made in this application are grounds for
forfeiture of the right to use public access equipment and facilities,
plus any other relief available to NRHCAB in law or equity.
e
6. After acceptance by the Access Coordinator, this application is nontrans-
ferable.
Signature of the Applicant
Date
APPROVED
NOT APPROVED
INITIALS:
Reason:
e
-12-
....
e
e
e
NORTH RICHLfu~D HILLS CASLE ADVISORY BOARD
Application for Access Channel Cablecast Equipm~nt
Check One: Public Access
Other Access (specify)
1. Date of Application:
, 19
-
2. Name:
Person, Group or Organization Applying for Use
Address:
Phone:
Business
Home
3. Individual Completing the Application (If same as listed in Question
2, answer "same"):
Name:
Address:
Phone:
4. I hereby request Access Channel video equipment to record programming
material as follows:
a.
19
Check-Out Day
Honth
Date
(Equipment may be checked out for a one-day duration at a time. If
additional time is needed an no other demand for the equipment has been
scheduled, another one-day duration may be granted.)
b. Name of person using equipment (persons must be trained and certified
by NRHCAB as competent with the equipment.) (If same as listed in
Question 2, answer "same".)
Name;
Address:
Phone:
Business
Home
5. Certification number of person using equipment:
Date of certification:
-13-
_.._.._-~
Page Two
Signature of Applicant
Approved
Date
List of equipment checked out:
19
Date
Not Approved
Date
Comments, details: (if disapproved, must contain details)
Deposit amount $
Signature acknowledging equipment
Date
Returned;
Condition:
Good
Other:
Deposit amount returned $
Signature acknowledging refund
Date
/hour
week
month
day
Signature acknowledging deposit
Date
a.m. /p.m.
-14-
19
--
Retained $
Signature acknowledging return
Date
,"
e
e
e
e
NORTH RICHh~D HILLS CABLE ADVISORY BOARD
Statement of Compliance
1. I have read and am thoroughly familiar with the contents of the Operating
Rules of the Access Channel.
2. I am thoroughly familiar with the contents of the program material to
be taped and state:
Neither lottery nor lottery material will be cablecast.
No advertisïng material will be cablecast.
No obscene or indecent material will be cablecast.
Arrangements and clearances have been obtained from broadcast stations,
networks. sponsors, music licensing organizations, performers' repre-
sentatives and any other persons necessary to authorize transmission
of program material on this cable television system's access channel.
3. I further understand that I assume full responsibility for any disputes
arising from unauthorized use of copyrighted material and agree to hold
harmless in any such disputes NRHCAB and Black Hawk Cable Communications
and their employees.
e
4. I understand that I may be criminally or civilly liable for performing
material which contains advertising, lottery or lottery information,
or obscene or indecent material.
5. I agree to pay the costs of any repairs to access video equipment made
necessary by abuse, theft or careless handling while such equipment
is in my possession (normal wear and tear excepted).
6. False or misleading statements made in this application are grounds for
forfeiture of the right to use public access equipment and facilities,
plus such other remedies in law or equity, which may be available to
NRHCAB.
7. After acceptance by the Access Coordinator, this application is non-
transferable.
Signature of Applicant
Date
APPROVED
INITIALS:
e
-15-