Minutes 1998/06/23
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Mintues of Special Joint Meeting
City Council of the City of Hollister
City Council of the City of Gilroy
and
City Council of the City of San Juan Bautista
June 23, 1998
Hollister, California
CALL TO ORDER:
The Special Joint Meeting of the City Councils of the Cities of Hollister, Gilroy, and San Juan
Bautista was called to order by Hollister Vice Mayor Boomer on June 23, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. in
the City Council Chambers at Hollister City Hall. Vice Mayor Boomer welcomed Gilroy and San
Juan Bautista.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL: Roll was answered as follows:
Hollister:
Present: Vice Mayor Richard Boomer and Councilmember Charles Scott, City Manager G.
Lewis, City Clerk/Treasurer Frank D. Felice, Deputy City Clerk Geri Johnson.
Absent: Mayor Ken Duran, Councilmembers Joseph Felice and Veronica Stevenson, City
Attorney Elaine Casso
San Juan Bautista:
Present: Mayor Priscilla Hill, Councilmembers John Hooper and Marley Holte, City
Manager Dennis McDuffy.
Absent: Councilmembers Robert Quaid and Larry Cain, City Clerk Robert Paradice.
Gilroy:
Present: Mayor Mike Gilroy, Councilmembers Guadalupe Arellano, Lisabeth Gifford,
Suellen Rowlison, Tom Springer, and Tony Sudol, City Administrator Jay Baksa,
City Attorney Linda Callon, City Clerk Rhonda Pellin.
Absent: Councilmember Charles Morales.
VERIFICA nON OF AGENDA POSTING:
The Agenda for the Special Joint Meeting of the City Councils of the Cities of Hollister, Gilroy,
and San Juan Bautista of June 23, 1998, was posted on the bulletin boards at City Hall on
June 17, 1998, at 10:43 a.m. per Government Code Section 54956.
1. Special Joint Meeting of the City Councils of the Cities of Gilroy, San Juan Bautista, and
Hollister to discuss the issuance of a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) as part of the FCC
Cable Franchise renewal process.
(a) Received oral report from Sue Buske ofthe Buske Group. She reviewed the process the
Cities have been going through for re-franchising since 1995. Ms. Buske then reviewed
the activities and studies completed by the consultant and gave an overview of major
findings. She explained that the next step is to prepare an RFP (Request for Proposal).
Ms. Buske thought that they almost had an informal franchise. She reviewed the
outcomes ofrecent franchise renewals for Monterey, Mt. View, and Santa Rosa, as
well as renewals in Tucson, Arizona; Montgomery County, Maryland; and Iowa City,
Iowa.
(b) Councils discussion.
(c) Jerry Krinn, 65 Donna Lane, Hollister, CA explained that he is the Chairman of
Hollister's Community Cable Access Commission and has served on the Commission
for five years. He informed the Councils that it is an uphill struggle to keep Channel 34
on the air. The Commission had to borrow a camera from Gilroy to televise tonight's
meeting. Mr. Krinn feels that to reduce the profit by 5% would provide money for a
studio, equipment, and programs to be on the air.
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During the February floods valuable information was broadcast on Channel 34 and
positive comments were received. Volunteers broadcast the Hollister City Council
meetings as well as the San Benito County Board of Supervisors meetings. San Juan
Bautista has no facility for services. Gilroy only provides Government information.
Gilroy residents have a strong interest to provide more information on their Channel 34.
To provide and maintain the public access channels would not cost Falcon that much.
Mr. Krinn also stated that channels are off frequently and people can not get through to
Falcon's office by phone.
Howard Gan, Falcon Cable, informed the Councils that he knows Sue and respects a
number ofthe issues, however he felt that some mis-impressions were given. Falcon
would like to work with staff for a conclusion. Falcon can not rebuild the system until
they have an agreement as the banks will not loan them the money. Falcon has made
offers. He stated that the cost of public access is an issue and that negotiations are a
very difficult process. Morgan Hill dropped out of the combined group because they
didn't believe that public access should cost their subscribers.
Mr. Gan explained that Falcon has agreed to rebuild the system and provide state of the
art equipment. It will cost $10 million to totally rebuild the system. New proposals
have been submitted for public access. He felt that much factual information had been
left out.
Bob Gifford, 1635 Brentwood Lane, Gilroy, CA eXplained that as a Falcon subscriber
he feels it is not only about money and programs. A big issue is respect from the
Falcon office and customer service. He said ifhe treated his customers that way in a
business, his business would be gone. Citizens have problems with Falcon's attitude
and customer service. He has been ignored when in their office and feels that
customers need to be treated like human beings. He has received a lot of calls and
comments from people with the same problem.
(d) Councils comments.
Gilroy Councilmember Sudol feels that Falcon must answer to the citizens. It is time
for Falcon to sacrifice to be committed. Falcon should provide service.
Gilroy Councilmember Springer agreed with Councilmember Sudol - the citizens want
better service. There is no customer support. No facilities. The Gilroy School District
wants to have their own channel.
Gilroy Councilmember Gifford said she has received comments from her constituents.
Citizens want customer service and more channels at no increased cost.
Gilroy Mayor Gilroy stated that the community has suffered neglect from Falcon _
service is bad, cost too high, profits too high, terrible service. Falcon is a dirty word
among many. Falcon suffered bad PR when they had people out looking for illegal
black boxes. He added that he receives the most complaints about graffiti with
complaints about Falcon running second.
Gilroy Councilmember Rowlison agreed with her colleagues and urged a settlement as
soon as possible. She has found that many new residents have satellites.
San Juan Bautista Councilmember Holte explained that a community channel is a sore
spot. San Juan Bautista does not have a community channel. They have tried to get one
for eight years.
San Juan Bautista Councilmember Hooper stated that the presentation may have been
one sided, but all of the Councilmembers have all of the information. He respects what
Mr. Gan is saying, but Falcon has had many chances to improve.
Hollister Councilmember Scott has had many cable tv's as he has lived in many places
in his military career Falcon is on a lower tier. He wants improvement without a great
increase in cost. He would like to resolve any differences without going to an RFP.
Hollister Vice Mayor Boomer thanked Ms. Buske for doing a fine presentation and job.
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CLOSED SESSION:
Gilroy City Attorney Callon announced to the press and public that the City Councils of the
Cities of Hollister, Gilroy, and San Juan Bautista would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss the
following matter:
A. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation - Significant Exposure to
Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b) - 1 potential case will be
discussed.
The City Councils adjourned to Closed Session at 8:56 p.m.
The City Councils reconvened at 9:47 p.m. All Councilmembers present per Roll Call.
Vice Mayor Boomer announced that the City Councils of the Cities of Hollister, Gilroy, and San
Juan Bautista met in Closed Session as stated above and no action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the City Councils of the Cities of Hollister,
Gilroy, and San Juan Bautista, the meeting was adjourned by motion at 9:48 p.m. Motion
seconded and carried by a unanimous vote of those present.
Respectfully submitted,
Geri Johnson
Deputy City Clerk
City of Hollister