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Home My Public Portal AboutHybrid Capability for City Buildings - WCATVCity of Watertown, MA ARPA Project Proposal Submitted by: Andrea Santopietro Submitted on: May 25, 2023 Request Number: ARPA-12 Project Name: Hybrid Capability for City Buildings Proposal Type: Organization Watertown Cable Access Corp Recommended Project Manager: Andrea Santopietro, Executive Director Project Summary: The proposal is to increase broadcast and hybrid capabilities of public meetings, including upgrades to two City Hall rooms and the purchase of two portable cart systems to allow for live coverage and remote access in other locations such as schools, municipal buildings, and other public venues. Amount of ARPA Funds Requested: $169,995 Minimum Funds Needed: $169,995 Matching funds available? No Other funds available? No Project Narrative: I have a detailed narrative to upload As the city’s public access station,Watertown Cable Access Corporation (WCA-TV)is a vital resource for residents to access important city information.Since 2005,WCA-TV has been providing live and recorded coverage of local events and original content on a daily basis. During the recent Covid-19 pandemic,this coverage,which expanded to interactive Zoom meetings and was delivered via local cable,internet streaming,and video-on-demand,kept residents informed of crucial local news and events while allowing them to remain safe during lockdowns.Post-pandemic expectations among the public for hybrid coverage have only grown.WCA-TV aspires to meet these increasing demands,but is limited by the current technical broadcast capabilities of the traditional City Hall meeting rooms.The increase in the quantity of overlapping or consecutive meetings,both live and recorded,has hampered WCATV’s efforts to further serve the public without additional outside funding. As technology continues advancing at lightning speed,it is upending the traditional methods by which Massachusetts residents receive news,entertainment and vital civic information.State residents continue canceling cable subscriptions at a record pace - many opting instead for streaming services like Netflix or Hulu -and placing the financial health of community access channels that serve a vital civic mission in serious peril. In fact,the number of Massachusetts households subscribing to cable television saw a 10 percent reduction in subscribers from 2021 to 2022,the largest single-year loss since the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable started making data public.This dramatic decrease is even more pronounced when comparing the approximately 2.2 million subscribers at the height of the cable boom in 2013,to just 1.5 million subscribers at the end of 2022 -a loss of more than 30 percent.Watertown alone has seen a 44 percent drop in cable subscribers in the same time frame. Fewer cable subscribers translate directly into less money that cable providers pay toward funding community media and local cable access stations.At the same time, we’ve committed considerable funds to outfit and move to a new studio in the Phillips Building due to the construction of the new Watertown High School. Despite this grave financial picture,the broader mission of community media centers remains unchanged:to provide the public access to the local government they have elected to represent them and to provide a forum for vital community information,and encourage civic participation. Given the shrinking local news landscape,municipal information and community media are more vital than ever.In the absence of print media in the city,WCA-TV has become a primary resource for the publication of content,providing inclusive accessibility for residents who are unable to attend meetings in person due to scheduling conflicts or family obligations,as well as providing ADA-compliant captioning.WCA-TV recordings are considered public record and are accessible 24/7 on both the local cable channels for Xfinity and Astound,as well as online via the WCA-TV website. WCA-TV is trying to walk this financial tightrope between an ever-increasing demand for services and a continuing decrease in funding.Remote and hybrid participation in municipal meetings has not only become the ‘new normal’in Watertown.A 2023 survey of MassAccess members found that 71 percent of member organizations reported an increase in coverage of municipal meetings since 2020,while 59 percent also saw a decrease in funding during the same time frame.WCA-TV alone has experienced an eight percent decrease in funding since 2020,while coverage of municipal meetings has increased by 18 percent. While cable subscribers -and subsequently,funding -have dropped,online viewership has unsurprisingly increased.Similarly,the public’s expectations and desire for meeting coverage in hybrid and other accessible formats has only grown.In 2022,about 35 percent of municipal meetings covered by WCA-TV were hybrid accessible.To meet this increased demand,WCA-TV urgently needs to upgrade the broadcast capabilities and technology at several municipal locations to bring residents essential information on the platforms where they access public meetings. The proposed upgrades take two forms.In City Hall,the capabilities of the Philip Pane Lower Hearing room and Louis P.Andrews Upper Conference room would be increased to accommodate hybrid meetings,similar to those held in the Richard E.Mastrangelo Council Chamber,including better audio and video functionality. Separately,the purchase of two portable,cart-based systems would provide flexibility to support meetings and events across the city at locations such as schools,municipal buildings,and other public venues like the Mosesian Center for the Arts,the Watertown Boys and Girls Club,and the Perkins School for the Blind.The carts would include everything necessary to conduct a live hybrid meeting,including a switcher,cameras, laptop,and an audio mixer. Combined,these upgrades will allow WCA-TV to cover events happening simultaneously while providing residents with more access to public meetings and events in City Hall and elsewhere,and contribute greatly to an increase in community engagement as well as informed public and government transparency. The total cost estimate for the project is $169,995;with detailed quotes from the Ockers Company -an established AV vendor which performed recent upgrades to the City Council chambers -accompanying this application.Ockers Company is confident that the work can be completed within the timeframe mandated by ARPA guidelines. We appreciate you considering this request,which would go a long way to upholding and enhancing Watertown’s ongoing commitment to a well-informed citizenry. MA STATE CONTRACT OFF-50 Date: 5.16.2023 Samantha Dudley Quote:GP3468 Valid For:30 Days Terms:N30 samd@wcatv.org Prepared By:Gary Pink, Account Executive Qty Model Description Price Ext 1 TC410P Newtek Tricaster 410 10,495.00$ 10,495.00$ 1 TCTCMiniCS Newtek Tricaster Mini Control Surface 2,595.00$ 2,595.00$ 4 AW‐UE40WPJ Panasonic 4K PTZ Camera 2,745.00$ 10,980.00$ 4 PPTZUCC Newtek NDI Upgrade for Above 299.00$ 1,196.00$ 1 AW‐RP60GJ5 Panasonic PTZ Controller 2,295.75$ 2,295.75$ 4 FEC‐40WMW FEC Wall Mount for above 180.00$ 720.00$ 1 GSM4230P-100NAS Netgear 24 Port POE+ Switch 1,231.25$ 1,231.25$ 1 WP-211T Kramer HDMI Wall Plate 568.50$ 568.50$ 1 TP-789R Kramer HDMI Receiver w/POE 344.75$ 344.75$ 2 DAC-70 Datavideo Up/Down/Cross Converter 540.00$ 1,080.00$ 1 U-TAP AJA SDI to USB 428.00$ 428.00$ 1 FC-69 Kramer HDMI Audio Embedder/De-embedder 520.75$ 520.75$ 2 N60 Kiloview NDI Encoder 799.00$ 1,598.00$ 1 S-4610 Swit SDI Audio Embedder 325.00$ 325.00$ 1 VM-2H2 Kramer 1x2 HDMI DA 333.75$ 333.75$ 1 RK-T2B-B Kramer Rackmount for Above 110.00$ 110.00$ 1 HeloPlus AJA Helo Plus h.264 Recorder/Streamer 1,820.00$ 1,820.00$ 1 RSH4S1S AJA HELO Middle Atlantic Rackshelf for above 193.50$ 193.50$ 1 LCDR7U19-08 Synergy 19" Rackmount monitor for Tricaster 1,226.00$ 1,226.00$ 1 BGR-41SA-27 Middle Atlantic 41 Space Rack 1,255.50$ 1,255.50$ 1 CBS-BGR Middle Atlantic Caster Base 178.75$ 178.75$ 1 BFD-41 Middle Atlantic Solid Front Door 250.00$ 250.00$ 1 BGR-LFT9 Middle Atlantic Top 54.00$ 54.00$ 4 SS Middle Atlantic Sliding Shelf 156.75$ 627.00$ 1 PDT-2020C-NS Middle Atlantic Vertical Power 219.75$ 219.75$ 1 PD-915R-PL Middle Atlantic Horizontal Power 142.50$ 142.50$ 1 EB2MP Middle Atlantic Blank Panels Master Pack 253.50$ 253.50$ 1 PVM210S Lilliput 21" HD-SDI Monitor 556.25$ 556.25$ Prepared For: T Watertown Cable Access Corp Watertown, MA Ockers Company 830 West Chestnut Street, Brockton, MA 02301 Phone 781-769-7810 Fax 781-769-5750 1 RMKB Middle Atlantic Rackmount Keyboard 527.25$ 527.25$ 1 80-0134 Symetrix Radius 12x8 DSP w/Dante 3,302.50$ 3,302.50$ 1 80-0062 Symetrix 4 Channel Analog Input Card 437.50$ 437.50$ 1 80-0190 Symetrix 10" Touchscreen Controller 1,998.75$ 1,998.75$ 1 80-0192 Symetrix Touchscreen Table Mount 132.00$ 132.00$ 1 ADP-USB-AU-2X2 Dante Audio to USB adapter 172.00$ 172.00$ 1 TV75 Touchview 75" Interactive TV 3,399.00$ 3,399.00$ 1 TVi5 Touchview PC Module No Operating System 789.00$ 789.00$ i5 Quad Core , 4GB DDR4 , 128GB SSD , Ultra HD -$ 1 TVWIn10 Windows 10 License for above 199.00$ 199.00$ 1 3032 Load and License Win10 on PC Module 125.00$ 125.00$ 1 3ML04AA#ABL HP Keyboard/Mouse 49.00$ 49.00$ 1 TV-STANDFIXM Touchview Mobile Stand 599.00$ 599.00$ 1 UL800CB-15 Waber Power Strip w/ 15' cord 85.75$ 85.75$ 1 XPS13 Dell 13" Laptop w/zoom $1,989.00 $1,989.00 -$ 1 Install Onsite Installation and configuration.. Build cart. 12,560.00$ 12,560.00$ program DSP. Tie into town provided fiber to WCA -$ 1 CCP Cables, Connectors, Parts 1,075.00$ 1,075.00$ 1 SH Manufacturer Incoming Freight 1,190.00$ 1,190.00$ -$ Package Total 70,228.25$ Ockers Company 830 West Chestnut Street, Brockton, MA 02301 Phone 781-769-7810 Fax 781-769-5750 MA STATE CONTRACT OFF-50 Date: 5.16.2023 Samantha Dudley Quote:GP3470 Valid For:30 Days Terms:N30 samd@wcatv.org Prepared By:Gary Pink, Account Executive Qty Model Description Price Ext 1 P300-IMX Shure Conferencing Processor 2,072.00$ 2,072.00$ 1 MXA-710W-WH Shure Line Array Microphone 3,449.50$ 3,449.50$ 1 AW‐UE40WPJ Panasonic 4K PTZ Camera 2,745.00$ 2,745.00$ 1 PPTZUCC Newtek NDI Upgrade for Above 299.00$ 299.00$ 1 FEC‐40WMW FEC Wall Mount for above 180.00$ 180.00$ 1 LTM1U Chief Fusion Wall Mount 307.00$ 307.00$ 2 CSMP9X12 Chief component mount 45.60$ 91.20$ 1 FCA830 Fusion Center Channel Speaker Mount $ 141.00 141.00$ 1 FCA613B Fusion Shelf 348.00$ 348.00$ 1 PSB-1 JBL Soundbar 211.00$ 211.00$ 1 GSM4210PD-100NAS Netgear POE+ Small Network Switch 615.75$ 615.75$ 1 E2 NDI Kiloview HDMI to NDIHX Encoder 409.00$ 409.00$ 1 TLP128TTUSBB Tripplite Power Strip w/ 8' cord 68.00$ 68.00$ 1 HeloPlus AJA Helo Plus h.264 Recorder/Streamer 1,820.00$ 1,820.00$ Note-Quote based on town providing CAT line to -$ microphone location in ceiling. CAT run to council -$ chamber for WCA -$ -$ 1 Install Onsite Installation and configuration.. Build cart. 4,080.00$ 4,080.00$ program DSP. Tie into town provided fiber to WCA -$ 1 CCP Cables, Connectors, Parts 235.00$ 235.00$ 1 SH Manufacturer Incoming Freight 365.00$ 365.00$ Package Total 17,436.45$ Prepared For: T Watertown Cable Access Corp Watertown, MA Ockers Company 830 West Chestnut Street, Brockton, MA 02301 Phone 781-769-7810 Fax 781-769-5750 MA STATE CONTRACT OFF-50 Date: 5.16.2023 Samantha Dudley Quote:GP3477 Valid For:30 Days Terms:N30 samd@wcatv.org Prepared By:Gary Pink, Account Executive Qty Model Description Price Ext 1 TC410P Newtek Tricaster 410 10,495.00$ 10,495.00$ 1 RR2RU3RU Newtek Rack Rails 294.50$ 294.50$ 3 AW‐UE40WPJ Panasonic 4K PTZ Camera 2,745.00$ 8,235.00$ 3 PPTZUCC Newtek NDI Upgrade for Above 299.00$ 897.00$ 1 AW‐RP60GJ5 Panasonic PTZ Controller 2,295.75$ 2,295.75$ 1 GSM4230P-100NAS Netgear 24 Port POE+ Switch 1,231.25$ 1,231.25$ 1 6500H00240 AKG Digital Mixer 8 input 2,497.00$ 2,497.00$ 1 RMKB Middle Atlantic Rackmount Keyboard 527.25$ 527.25$ 1 HeloPlus AJA Helo Plus h.264 Recorder/Streamer 1,820.00$ 1,820.00$ 1 RSH4S1S AJA HELO Middle Atlantic Rackshelf for above 193.50$ 193.50$ 1 LCD1U17-020 Synergy 17" 1RU Rackmount monitor for Tricaster w/HDMI 1,410.75$ 1,410.75$ 1 1SKB-R910U20 SKB 20" Shock Rolling Rack 775.00$ 775.00$ 1 MDR7506 Sony Headset 97.50$ 97.50$ 1 PD-2015R-HH-NS Middle Atlantic Rackmount Power 148.50$ 148.50$ 1 3i-2217-10BC SKB Case for Cameras/Controller 338.50$ 338.50$ 3 GA230-PTZ E-Image Tripod for PTZ Cameras 379.75$ 1,139.25$ 1 3i-4213-12DT SKB Case for Tripods 420.00$ 420.00$ 3 LCR-CAT6A-PS-100 Laird CAT6A Cable on Reel w/Pro connector 245.50$ 736.50$ 1 XPS13 Dell 13" Laptop w/zoom 1,989.00$ 1,989.00$ 1 U-TAP AJA SDI to USB 428.00$ 428.00$ 1 Custom Custom Rear IO Plate for SKB Case 475.00$ 475.00$ 1 Install Build out case. Wire all components to IO panels Configure 3,400.00$ 3,400.00$ 1 CCP Cables, Connectors, Parts 450.00$ 450.00$ 1 SH Manufacturer Incoming Freight 870.00$ 870.00$ Package Total 41,164.25$ Prepared For: T Watertown Cable Access Corp Watertown, MA Ockers Company 830 West Chestnut Street, Brockton, MA 02301 Phone 781-769-7810 Fax 781-769-5750