Grosse Ile Township Cable Commission
Minutes
December 3, 2009
– Regular Meeting @ Grosse Ile
Township Hall
A
regular meeting of the Cable Commission was called to order at 5:06 p.m. by Chairman Darryl Froehlich at Grosse Ile Township Hall, on
Thursday, October 22, 2009.
Roll
call: the following seated Members
of the Commission were in attendance and a quorum
existed:
1.
Absent: Robert
Buckley
2.
Ted Fournier
3.
Darryl Froehlich
4.
Absent: Jennifer Park
5.
Kathy Walker
6.
Pam Frucci
7.
Craig Pilkington
8.
Thomas Saunders
1.
A motion to approve the
minutes of the two previous meetings ( including corrections ) was made by Craig
Pilkington and seconded by Tom Saunders.
2.
Mr. Ed Hughes, former
Cable Commission Chairman was in attendance as an interested resident of Grosse
Ile.
Reports from Liaisons & Cable Department
Township Board
Liaison: Pam Frucci commented that she, Craig
Pilkington, Ursula O’Connor and Supervisor Brian Loftus are currently members of
the Advisory Committee plus 3 additional appointees for a total 7 members. Craig gave a check list of items that
“top notch” web-sites include. The
web-site is still a work in progress.
Pam was impressed with the
mix and knowledge that is on the Committee. The Cable Commission will oversee both
GI’s cable and web-site.
Tom
Saunders asked if there is any plan to combine the two commissions. March 2010 the Advisory Commission is
expected to merged with the Cable Commission (8 members) there is a limit of 9
members for any commission. Mr. Hughes asked if anyone on the Cable
Commission wishes to resign. There
was no definite response. Mr.
Hughes is the former Chairman of the Cable Commission for 12 years. Chairman Froehlich
questioned the complexity of overseeing the web-site. Mr. Hughes questioned if
there is a full time person updating the web-site daily. Craig Pilkington mentioned that the
web-site should be benchmarked to other communities. Best practice monitors the federal
web-sites. He wants to determine what is missing (ex: legal notices).
Ted
Fournier responded that there are no Township Legal Policies. He is also questioning why he was not
asked to be on the web-site Advisory Committee nor was he invited to attend
their meetings. He helped create
the original web-site, has updated and maintained it over the years and worked
diligently (5 months to develop versus 12 months for the school system’s) to create the new web-site as a line item
responsibility of his employment.
Mr.
Hughes asked how the Advisory Committee was formed and was surprised to learn
that the Township Trustees voted unanimously to establish the Committee. The
purpose of the Committee was questioned and it was suggested that it was to
promote local real estate. Mr. Hughes wants the Advisory Committee meetings to
be posted on the web-site, thus eliminate the suggestion of secretiveness. He also questioned the “handpicked"
appearance of the Committee. He was
very supportive regarding Ted’s efforts and reiterated that the Cable Commission had traditionally
managed the web-site for the last 11 years. He felt that although there was no
“official” governance, the over-site accountability exists due to the default of
responsibility implementation. He also cautioned about benchmarking the web-site
against other communities. They are
larger communities, have more staff and a larger budget. We only have one dedicated employee,
Ted. Also, the Cable Commission
under spends it budget annually.
Craig Pilkington feels the web-site is lacking in architecture,
structure and navigation. It was
reported that one of the links was not working ( complaint ) and there were
questions of where the appropriate location should be. Craig suggested outsourcing and wanted
to consider options that gauged profit against benefit. Tom Saunders offered that the web-site
should promote what GI has to offer and encourage people to come and enjoy the
Island. The web-site will not be
promoting business but Township assets.
Craig wants to track activity on the web-site via multiple
site-meters. Current activity it
low and a question was raised as to what is the target activity level desired by
the Advisory Committee that would justify outsourcing or additional headcount to
monitor and update the site on a daily basis. There was no definite
response.
Cable &
Communications Department Supervisor: Ted has 13 shoots
scheduled between now and Christmas ( ex;
School Board Interviews, Island Glow, & Breakfast with Santa ). Ted and Tom attended a social networking
class. Ted is very interested in GI
setting up a Facebook page and a Twitter account. The instant communication is exploding
on a daily basis. Island Fest has a
facebook page – 113 fans and growing daily. Facebook monitors and edits comments and
can erase negative “fans”. It will
take 10 – 15 minutes a day to update these communication sources, Ted is willing
to put in the time and do the work.
He pointed out that web-pages are old technology because you have to be
proactive. Whereas, Twitter is
instantaneous and you can select specific groups ( ex. Free Bridge opens
early). Also, GI can replace
the reverse 911 that has a cost of $4,000 to activate the reverse. Ted will send a U-tube video on social
networking to the Commissioners.
Tom is looking for a slideshow on Twitter.
Ted
will be attending a seminar on the 8th regarding security of paying
bill over the internet. Film
Festival between December 28-30, there are 3 teams. The total cost is $125 and the income is
$125. The winning team gets $100
and they are treated to a pizza dinner with the remaining $25. This is a joint venture between GI-TV
and the Recreation Department.
There are 3 film festivals during the year, they occur during Christmas
Break, Easter Break and once during the summer. The GISN wrote, direct and
performed 1940’ News Real Yankee short and they will film the PSA at the Middle
School December 10th .
Ted
took delivery of the rescue ambulance.
It will be stripped and repainted.
Right now there is no mobile unit however we have a suitcase type that
can be wheeled to locations. The
new GI-TV Mobile unit will be ready April 1, 2010.
Ted
expressed frustration that his efforts to encourage every department to put more
information on the web-pages have been dismissed by the Advisory Committee. There is no constructive communication
between the Cable Commission and
the Advisory Committee.
School Board
Liason: Absent - Ted reported that the school took delivery of the
Tri-Caster ( computerized suitcase network ). Ted cautioned that when equipment is
moved it tends to break quicker.
Interviews for the new GI Superintendent will be taped on December
14th and 16th and aired at a later date on
GI-TV.
Unfinished
Business/Discussion: Pam asked that the
broadcast list be tabled.
New
Business: Craig questioned the
content on GI-TV. Pam read our
charter and mission statement.
GI-TV Cable commission has the rights over the approval of the
budget. Ted is the Manager of the
Department and Dale is the Township manager. The Township Commission is the final
word. The cost for each show was
questioned. None of our shows
generate revenue.
Questions arose regarding the position of the GI residents
attitude toward Film Projects on Grosse Ile. What level of filming is palatable to
our residents? Suggest the
discussion be elevated to the Township Board. Ted will distribute the Michigan Film
Board information once they make the determination that the tax rebates will
still be in effect in Michigan.
Next
Board Meeting:
5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2010. Deadline to submit items to Chairman for
inclusion on printed agenda:
January 13, 2010. Please
forward to defroehlich@comcast.net or call
734-675-2944.
1.
Meeting was adjourned at
6:33 p.m. by Craig Pilkington and 2nd by Kathy
Walker.
Kathy L. Walker
Secretary- GI Cable Commission