Table of Contents: Chapter 8

810 CABLE T.V. GOVERNMENT CHANNEL ACCESS AND INTERNET HOMEPAGE POLICY

810.1 Purpose

The following Programming Policies and Procedures of the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri, are hereby established for the designated Local Government Access Channel and the City's Homepage as managed by the City of Lee's Summit.

810.2 Objectives

: 810.2.1 To provide information concerning local government activities, services, and policies to the citizens of Lee's Summit, Missouri.

: 810.2.2 To increase the public awareness of the activities of the legislative and administrative bodies of City government and other governmental entities.

: 810.2.3 To further the research and development of innovative methods of delivery of services by City government and other governmental entities.

: 810.2.4 To facilitate emergency information to the general public.

: 810.2.5 To furnish assistance in internal training activities of City departments.

810.3 Definitions

The following terms are used within the context of video programming and are defined to provide the reader with a better understanding of the cable television business.
"Cablecasting" - the distribution of video programming over the cable system (contrasted with off-air broadcasting).

"Franchise" - the contractual agreement, as modified, between the City of Lee's Summit, and any cable provider authorized to operate a cable system in the City.

"Local Government Access Channel" - the City has one local government access channel available for local government use by the City of Lee's Summit and the R- 7 School District. "Government Information Channel" will originate from the Fire Department to provide relevant public information concerning activities, services, and policies of City government to subscribers. Said channel is a designated channel on all cable systems. The cable equipment will be used to provide employee training and operational information to City departments. The Local Government Access Channel may also be utilized for employee training if it is determined to have a public interest.

"Local Origination (LO)" - Video programming (or channels) produced by or obtained by Cable Operator and under their editorial control.

"Other Government Agencies" - Political subdivisions, agencies, or authorities established by state law, the State of Missouri, and the United States Government shall be considered as non-City government agencies in the interpretation of any section in this Policy.

"Program Liaison" - Individual(s) designated by a City department who will serve as the primary informational contact for departmental programs.

"Programming Manager" - The City official designated by the City Manager to manage this policy and to implement these procedures.

"City's Homepage" - The City's official web site including City sponsored web page connected to the homepage via a link

810.4 Prohibited Material

The content of the program material carried on the Local Government Access Channel is limited to material advancing the public objectives of the City (as stated in "Section B") and other governmental agencies, and use of these channels, the Municipal Television Studio, and/or production services (as described in Section G and H) for private or political purposes shall be prohibited.

The following material on the Local Government Access Channel or Homepage shall be prohibited:

: 810.4.1 Any advertising material or other information which is designed to promote the sale of any commercial product or service. Brief credit may be given at the end of a program when special materials or assistance have been donated by a commercial or charitable enterprise.

: 810.4.2 Any measure, program, or other material which promotes publicly declared candidates for elective public office and persons advocating any cause, viewpoint, or proposed policy of a partisan nature. The exclusion does not apply to participants in a public meeting being cablecast on the Local Government Access Channel(s) nor to elected officials acting in their official capacity when such actions do not involve partisan politics.

: 810.4.3 Lottery information, advertisement of lotteries, and games of chance for money or prizes.

: 810.4.4 Any matter which is legally obscene or otherwise unprotected by the Constitution of the United States, pursuant to applicable federal, state, or City law.

: 810.4.5 Technically unusable material, as determined by the Programming Manager.

: 810.4.6 Any material copyrighted by any entity (other than the City of Lee's Summit) for which a written release to use it has not been obtained.

: 810.4.7 Material of a defamatory nature, or likely to invade an individual's privacy.

: 810.4.8 Information not provided by the City, a governmental entity, or the R-7 School District.

: 810.4.9 Any material which, in the judgment of the City Law Department or City outside legal counsel, is inconsistent with any federal, state, or local law, ordinance of rule, and/or which subjects the City unreasonably to potential liability.

810.5 Use During Emergencies

: 810.5.1 Governmental use of the Local Government Access Channel and/or Homepage during emergencies and disasters declared in accordance with the City of Lee's Summit Emergency Operations Plan has absolute priority over other programming.

: 810.5.2 During such emergencies or disasters, the Local Government Access Channel and/or Homepage, with the approval of Emergency Operations Center Director, shall be permitted to accept character-generated announcements from other governmental or non-governmental entities when said announcements are deemed to provide important public information pertaining to the emergency or disaster of other conditions requiring protection of the public health, safety, or welfare.

810.6 Scheduling of Channels and Equipment

: 810.6.1 The management of the Local Government Access Channel and/or the equipment and facilities of the Municipal Television Studio shall be the responsibility of the City Manager or his/her designee.

: 810.6.2 The usage of the Local Government Access Channel shall be based on the following criteria:

: 810.6.2.1 Relevancy of the program to the citizens of Lee's Summit and/or City departments.

: 810.6.2.2 Operational requirements of the program regarding personnel, facilities, and equipment.

: 810.6.2.3 Cooperative arrangements for relevant programming on said channel may be implemented by the City in accordance with applicable sections of this Policy.

: 810.6.2.4 The Programming Manager may develop Programming Policies and Procedures to assist government agencies in utilizing the Local Government Access Channel.

810.7 Production Services: City Departments

: 810.7.1 City departments are eligible to request video production services in accordance with the Programming Policies and Procedures.

: 810.7.2 All requests for production services shall be submitted in writing for review by the Programming Manager.

: 810.7.3 The City Manager of his/her designee shall review the properly completed "Municipal Program Application" and confer with the Program Liaison or other designee of the department. The production schedule shall be subject to availability of personnel, facilities, equipment, and other commitments.

: 810.7.4 City departments may submit requests in writing to cablecast relevant programming on the Local Government Access Channel, in accordance with the objectives of this Policy. Such programming may be locally produced by the City departments involved and/or obtained from alternative sources and shall have the required copyright clearance.

: 810.7.5 Requests for character-generated announcements on the Local Government Access Channel shall be submitted by the City department on a "Alphanumeric Message Form" provided by the Programming Manager.

: 810.7.6 All actions of the Programming Manager shall be subject to appeal and review by the City Manager or his/her designee. An advisory Committee shall consist of the Assistant City Manager, the City Attorney, and a Department Director appointed by the City Manager.

810.8 Editorial Control

: 810.8.1 Live or tape-delayed cablecasting on the Local Government Access Channel of any official City government meeting shall require the express written consent of the City Manager prior to such cablecasting.

: 810.8.2 Live or tape-delayed cablecasting of any requested official City government meeting shall be provided in its entirety. The only exceptions to this policy shall be when:

: 810.8.2.1 Technical difficulties interfere with complete live or tapedelayed cablecasting, as determined by the Programming Manager.

: 810.8.2.2 Identified excerpts are used as part of another program on the Local Government Access Channel.

: 810.8.2.3 Alphanumeric messages may be edited by the Programming Manager to provide clarity and to maximize usages of the Local Government Access Channel.

810.9 Information on Homepage

Each department shall be responsible for identifying one or more employees responsible for updating City related information on the City's homepage. This information shall remain current at all times. The same prohibitions outlined in Section 806.4 apply to the City's Homepage.