HomeMy Public PortalAbout2006 - JCTV Steering Committee Final ReportJCTV Steering Committee Report Page 1 9/19/2006
Strategy for
Rebirth and Revival
of
JCTV – Channel 3
JCTV Steering Committee
Councilman Brian Crane, Chairman
Members:
Linda McAnany, Vice Chairman
Art Gerhart
Don Govang
Patrick Henry
Thomas Minihan
Mike Moyer
Steve Veile
September, 2006
JCTV Steering Committee Report Page 2 9/19/2006
JCTV Steering Committee
• Mission Statement
• Vision Statement
• Recommendations
MISSION STATEMENT
The missio n of JCTVChannel 3 is to promote the free flow of information and to
provide a unique open and televised public forum for the exercise o f free speech by all
individuals and groups in the Cit y of Jefferson.
VISION STATEMENT
JCTVChannel 3 is a public access channel that seeks to promote the general welfare of
the people, inst ill communit y pride, and encourage participation in public affairs wit hin the Cit y.
Individuals, nonprofit groups and civicminded corporations are invited to participate in the
operation and support of JCTV as it presents qualit y noncommercial programming for the
edificat ion and entertainment of all.
RECOMMENDATIONS
PROGRAMING AND OPERATIONS
• The JCTV Steering Committee recommends the JCTV program schedule be posted on
the digital TV Guide alo ng with information describing the program.
• The JCTV Steering Committee recommends entering into jo int projects with local
communit y events that could create interest and viewership. Examples are as fo llows:
1. Live coverage of LU football ho me games.
2. Local high school sporting events
3. Little Theater Productions
4. Robert Burns Dinner
5. Mid Missouri Story Telling Fest ival
6. JC Communit y Concert Series
7. MRRL Renaissance Festival
8. Art inside the Park
9. Governor’s Ball and swearing in ceremo ny, etc.
JCTV Steering Committee Report Page 3 9/19/2006
10. Historic Cit y of Jefferson events (History mo nth, etc.)
11. Chamber of Co mmerce annual meet ing
12. Parks and Recreation act ivit ies and events
• The JCTV Steering Committee recommends investigating the services of Capital Area
Communit y Service Agency (CACSA) for immediate nontechnical assistance on a daily
basis.
• The JCTV Steering Committee recommends regular training classes be scheduled on a
weekly basis for those communit y members that wish to get basic production training.
Cost of this training (in dollars or volunteer hours) to be determined.
• Conduct equipment use training on weekends, in addit ion to regular weekly sessio ns, and
expand programming hours to weekends as well, provided that funding and personnel are
available to do so.
MANAGEMENT
• The JCTV Steering Committee recommends hiring a Station Manager, whose job
descript ion would include the fo llowing:
a. Shall manage, guide and direct the daily operation of JCTV, reporting to
Lincoln Universit y, working in consultation with the Cit y o f Jefferson and
the JCTV Steering Co mmittee.
b. Shall be the chief liaison between JCTV and the communit y in the
promotion of the station and in the market ing of partnership opportunities.
c. The JCTV Steering Committee recommends having staff attend
communit y service organizat ions monthly to educate and encourage
participation in the station.
d. Conduct market research to learn what programming to continue and /or
init iate.
e. Shall prepare a media market ing kit and consult with local businesses and
corporations to solicit potential support for the statio n in general and
underwrit ing sponsorships in part icular.
f. Shall research grants and underwrit ing opportunit ies, and make
applicat ion on behalf of JCTV to funding agencies for financial support as
may be appropriate.
g. Shall recruit individual memberships in JCTV, and collect appropriate fees
for individuals or groups wishing to produce and broadcast programming
on the station.
JCTV Steering Committee Report Page 4 9/19/2006
h. Shall create a strategic plan, including plans to involve students and
vo lunteers in the operation of the station.
i. Shall establish an annual operating budget.
j. Shall set shortterm programming goals.
k. Shall evaluate old equipment and purchase new equipment as deemed
necessary and as budget constraints allow.
l. Shall develop a vo lunteer program wit h written job descript ions for
vo lunteer workers.
• Qualifications for Station Manager
The station manager should be an individual who is familiar wit h the operation of public
access channels or a public TV station. The manger should have a bachelor’s degree in
business, marketing or communicat ions. Experience in managing a nonprofit
organizat ion or a volunteerbased group would be helpful. The manager should possess
superior communication skills. A background in sales or market ing would be a plus.
FUNDING
• The JCTV Steering Committee recommends membership fees for the fo llowing
classificat ions:
1. Individuals who are interested in the future of JCTV. Recommended fees are
$20.00 per year which includes a membership card and a premium gift item
fro m the station.
2. Cit izens or groups who produce and broadcast programs on JCTV
Reco mmended fees are $25 for individuals and $125.00 for groups per year
with provisio ns for those who cannot afford membership fees to include
scho larships or opportunit ies to volunteer at the Station.
3. Corporate sponsors who are willing to invest in the future of JCTV.
Reco mmended yearly sponsorships are as fo llows:
Gold $ 2,500 (Goal: 5 each year)
Silver $1,000 (Goal: 10 each year)
Bronze $500 (Goal: 20 each year)
• As allowed under the franchise with Mediacom, the Committee recommends adding a 25
cent surcharge on subscriber bills each mo nth to support the operation of the station and
repair and maintenance of equipment.
• The JCTV Steering Committee recommends that 40 percent of the franchise fee paid
annually to the Cit y by Mediacom be appropriated by the Council for the management
and operation of JCTV. This year that would amo unt to $160,000. In addit ion, the
Committee also recommends a onetime appropriation of $20,000 in FY 2007 to be used
to replace muchneeded equipment until more sustainable funding is acquired.
JCTV Steering Committee Report Page 5 9/19/2006
EQUIPMENT
One of the most pressing needs of JCTV is new equip ment. With technology ever
evolving, and computers becoming obsolete within the span of 35 years, imagine
the dile mma in which JCTV finds itself trying to operate with much of its
equipment purchased in 1986. In this high speed digital age, operating a TV
station with 20 year old equipment is becoming impossible. If the renewal and
rebirth of JCTV is to become a reality, new equip ment must be put in place and
replaced on a regular basis as replacement needs arise.
We recommend significant upgrades in these areas:
• Onlocation van
• Cameras and operating equipment for City Council meetings and other
public events
• Field gear and nonlinear editors
• Upgrade of automated equipment at the JCTV studios
• Mechanical repairs to van
Recognizing the dire equipment needs and anticipating a high level of participation
by the community in the operation, programming and support of JCTV, the
Steering Committee recommends that high quality equip ment be purchased to
replace the antiquated equipment still being used by the station.
The total cost of the equipment upgrades for the ite ms noted is expected to be
approximately $157,000. The funding for these equipment purchases would come
from a combination of sources, including (see P. 4 of this report):
• A special $20,000 appropriation for equipment fro m the City
• Membership fees from individuals
• Programming fees from citizens or groups broadcasting on JCTV
• Corporate sponsors
• A 25 cent surcharge on subscriber bills paid by Mediacom customers
JCTV Steering Committee Report Page 6 9/19/2006
JCTV Budget
Expenses 2006 2007
Personnel Chief Operator $41,946.00 $41,946.00
Benefits $12,583.00 $12583.80
Station Manager with benefits $0 $67,000.00
Assistant Operator $11,000.00 $11,000.00
Benefits $2,200.00 $2,200.00
Engineer Stipend $3,369.04 $3,369.04
Student Labor $7,800.00 $7,800.00
Fed. Student Labor $3,296.00 $3,296.00
Vacant Part Time Assistant $11,000.00 $11,000.00
Benefits $2,200.00 $2,200.00
Expendables – office supplies $1,000.00 $1,000.00
Supplies $798.00 $798.00
Utilities $13,486.00 $13,486.00
Maintenance $18,543.00 $18,543.00
Comm/Utilities $8,560.00 $8,560.00
Equip ment $63,805.28 $63,805.28
Digital TV Guide $0 $3,000.00
TOTALS $188,387.12 $271,587.12
Revenue
Lincoln University $103,387.12 $103,387.12
City of Jefferson $85,000.00 $160,000.00
Franchise surcharge $0 $25,000.00
Corporate sponsorships $0 $0
Individual sponsorships $0 $0
Program fees $0 $3,500.00
One time City contribution $0 $20,000.00
TOTALS $188,387.12 $311,887.00
Conclusion
It is the hope of the Steering Co mmittee that this report has put forth a blueprint for
the rebirth and revival of JCTV. The Committee carefully reviewed all options,
meeting many times since its formation in early 2006.
We have tried to clearly define the mission and vision of the station, and to make
recommendations on progra mming, operations, station management, funding,
equipment and budget that will be endorsed by the City of Jefferson and
implemented by the City and Lincoln University, the key partners in this venture.
JCTV Steering Committee Report Page 7 9/19/2006
As we conclude our work in the develop ment of this strategic plan for JCTV, we
ask the City Council to do these four things:
1. Formally endorse and adopt this report and the reco mmendations
herein
2. Appropriate the necessary funding to allow this plan to succeed,
including the earmarking of 40 percent of the Mediacom franchise fee
for the management and operation of JCTV. In fiscal year 2007, that
amount would be $160,000
3. Make an additional special appropriation of $20,000 this year to be
used for replacement of much needed equipment
4. As allowed under the current franchise with Mediacom, authorize the
addition of a 25 cent surcharge to subscriber bills each month to
support the operation of the station and the repair and maintenance of
equipment
We appreciate the opportunity to present this report to the City of Jefferson and
look forward to seeing our recommendations adopted and imple mented.