Benton Courier - Aldermen table TV proposal

Though it didn’t happen literally, it almost could have been said that Benton City Council members “cussed and discussed” a proposal to purchase TV 95, a locally broadcast cable channel that recently ceased operations.
The topic dominated a 6 p.m. agenda meeting Monday that preceded the council’s regular meeting at 7.
Ultimately, the aldermen approved a motion to table the ordinance authorizing the purchase of Saline Broadcasting Group assets and an agreement with Horizon Arkansas publications (Benton Courier) to lease studio space for the project that would include establishing an education and governmental channel.
Aldermen Bill Donnor, who said he wasn’t ready to vote on the acquisition of the station, noted that he supports the concept, but needs more information before voting for the purchase.
Alderman Charles Cunningham said he wants more answers, too, but he recommended approving the ordinance on its first reading to demonstrate the council’s intent to the Benton School District, which would become the city’s partner in the venture.
Alderman David Sparks shared Cunningham’s position, saying he supports the plan but also would like more information before casting the final vote on the ordinance.
Alderman Jerry Ponder said he considers the proposal “a good investment for the city.”
The most vocal opponent to the proposal was Alderman Steve Lee.
“I don’t think it’s a wise purchase,” Lee said. “No one has come to us from the school district. I think we need to establish a committee and meet with the school board.
“And no one has looked into the possibility of a grant,” Lee said.
He said it might be possible to acquire new equipment rather than purchasing older cameras and related items.
Alderman Brad Moore, who has been working on the proposal since May, said he has spoken with Dr. Tony Prothro, superintendent of the Benton School District.
He noted that the school has hired an instructor and is beginning this year a class in broadcast journalism. The district is interested in partnering with the city in the TV project, Moore said.
Lee, however, believes that the school district isn’t ready to do this yet and said the city should have more details set before making the purchase.
Alderman Doug Stracener said he shared Lee’s point of view before having a conversation with Prothro and now he has changed his opinion.
“They (school officials) talked to us months ago and we put it off ... They thought it was a dead issue,” Stracener said.
Lee contended that the school district would have space to house a television studio, but Holland explained that it would be two years before this would even become a possibility.
A major renovation is under way at the high school and won’t be complete until 2011.
Donnor said he is concerned about broadcasting the channel via Charter Communications, which limits the viewing audience.
“Everyone’s not a Charter customer,” he said, including himself in the number.
He pointed out that Charter currently is in bankruptcy proceedings and said the city’s agreement with Charter expired two years ago.
Alderman Joe Lee Richards said he has received several phone calls from residents who are concerned about the plan. He also had questions about the lease agreement with Horizon.
The ordinance notes that officials of the Benton school officials previously have expressed interest in partnering with the city for the operation of such a channel in conjunction with the district’s radio and television broadcast classes.
The ordinance includes a directive authorizing Mayor Rick Holland to enter into negotiations with the school district for an agreement for the operation of the channel.
According to the ordinance, the purchase price for the television station’s assets will not exceed $35,000 and payment will be spread over a 24-month period at a rate of $1,458.33 per month.
The agreement notes that no interest will be paid during the life of the contract and the seller is giving title to the assets free and clear of any and all liens and encumbrances.
The ordinance notes that an independent community board would be established to oversee operations, set hours of operation and programming for the new channel. All board members would be qualified electors of the city, the document states.
It further notes that public access would be maintained on the channel by the submission of programming from the public, in a format approved by the board.
Awareness of local activities reportedly would be promoted to expand community involvement.
All city council regular meetings and agenda meetings would be broadcast live with designated times for rebroadcast in between meeting times.
The city administration would have access to the equipment at all times and the school district would have access to the equipment for use by its administration, teachers, staff, volunteers and students.
The school district would have access to the equipment in order to broadcast, at its discretion, educational programs and Benton Panther athletic events.
All funds appropriated for this project would be paid from the Communications System Fund as created in Ordinance 43 of 1997, the ordinance notes.
It was noted that Sam Stueart, an owner of TV 95, has offered to donate his time to assist the city in setting up the channel.
Stueart is the current president of the Benton School Board, but is not seeking re-election.
In other matters, the council approved:
•An ordinance accepting the annexation of certain land into the city. The two tracts of land are owned by Alcoa, Almatis and Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics Inc.
•A resolution confirming the appointment of Robin Freeman to the Benton Planning and Zoning Commission.
•A resolution confirming the appointment of Don Bohannan to the Benton Parks and Recreation Commission.
•A resolution confirming the appointment of Mark Fikes to the Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission. Stracener was the only alderman to vote against the resolution.
•An ordinance authorizing contracts to install fiber optic cable for Ragan Fire Station. Payment would come from the city’s communications system fund, the ordinance states.

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