HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-05; City Council; 20376; REVISE COUNCIL POLICY #75CITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL
AB# 20,376
MTG. 10/05/10
DEPT. City Council
REVISE CITY COUNCIL POLICY #75
CITY GOVERNMENT
CHANNEL POLICY
DEPT. DIRECTOR
CITY ATTORNEY /^
CITY MANAGER \j^~
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
If the City Council desires to amend its current policy to allow the City of Carlsbad government
channel to air candidates' forums and debates for City of Carlsbad elective offices, then its
action would be to adopt Resolution No. 2010-236 revising City Council Policy #75 for City
Government Channel Policy.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
Background: In 2006 the passage of the state franchise^ law Digital Infrastructure and Video
Competition Act of 2006 (DIVCA) changed some requirements for local cable companies, such
as Time Warner Cable. On January 1, 2008, DIVCA became effective and created a statewide
franchising process for the delivery of video services, shifted customer service to local entities,
and changed public education and government (PEG) access requirements and support. With
this change the City took over responsibility for producing City Council meetings and
responsibility for programming a City government channel, currently designated on the Time
Warner system as 24/126. AT&T and future video service providers are also required to make
the necessary technical arrangements to carry the City's government channel.
On May 19, 2009, the City Council created a channel policy to define the purpose, goals,
objectives and programming priorities for the government channel. The policy establishes the
City of Carlsbad channel as a "government" channel playing only government programming
(programming produced by government agencies).
The City Council did not choose to establish a separate public access channel, similar to KOCT
in Oceanside, because it does not have the resources to support such a channel. Similarly, the
Council did not create a separate education access channel.
Proposed revision to policy: Should the Council desire to allow for the playback of forums and
debates for candidates of City of Carlsbad elective offices on the city's government channel, it
would need to revise its policy. Since candidates' forums/debates are typically hosted by non-
governmental organizations, allowing the airing (technically called "playing" when referring to
cable television) of such forums requires a change in the current policy. The current policy only
allows content produced by a government agency.
If this change were to be made, staff recommends including provisions in the revised policy
requiring organizations sponsoring the forums to adhere to certain conditions. For example, the
forums/debates must be informational in nature, rather than advocacy oriented. Public money
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Kristina Ray 760-434-2957 Kristina.Rav@carlsbadca.gov
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY.
COUNCIL ACTION:APPROVED
DENIED
CONTINUED
WITHDRAWN
AMENDED
D
D
D
CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC D
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN D
RETURNED TO STAFF D
OTHER-SEE MINUTES D
Page 2
may not be spent on political advocacy. Staff also recommends including provisions in the
revised policy to ensure any such forum/debate be open to all legally declared candidates for a
City of Carlsbad elective office, and that all candidates be scheduled to speak for the same
amount of time. Further recommendations for such a policy change are contained in the
attached Revised Council Policy #75.
FISCAL IMPACT:
A fee is currently charged to other government agencies that submit programming to the City of
Carlsbad government channel to recover actual costs associated with administrative
coordination, scheduling and preparation of programming for playback ("Channel
Administration"). This fee would also apply to organizations that submit candidates'
forums/debates for playback. This fee may only be applied to those who are granted
permission to play programming on the City's government channel.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed action is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of
the Guidelines for the Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The
activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential
for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that
there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the
environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
EXHIBITS:
1. Resolution No. 2010-236 revising City Council Policy #75 for City Government Channel
Policy
2. Revised City Council Policy #75 showing proposed changes
3. Revised City Council Policy #75
1 RESOLUTION NO. 2010-236
2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APROVING REVISIONS
3 TO CITY COUNCIL POLICY NO. 75 REVISING CITY
4 GOVERNMENT CHANNEL POLICY
5
6 WHEREAS, effective May 19, 2009, the Council adopted Council Policy 75 that
7 established a City Government Channel Policy; and
8 WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Council to provide government channel
9 programming of interest to the residents of Carlsbad concerning the functions, activities,
10 programs and issues of the city and to facilitate the community's ability to learn about
11
and participate in city government; and
12
WHEREAS, the Council proposes revisions to Council Policy 75 in order to
incorporate necessary changes to broaden the scope of the City's Government Channel
15 to allow for the playback of candidates' forums and debates for the purpose of informing
16 residents about declared candidates for City of Carlsbad elective office(s);
17 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
18 Carlsbad, California, as follows:
19 1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
20
2. That Council Policy No. 75 be amended to read as set forth in Exhibit 3 to the
21
Agenda Bill entitled Revised City Council Policy No. 75 City Government
-« Channel Policy.
24 //
25 //
26 //
27 //
28
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council
of the City of Carlsbad on the 5th day of October 2010, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Kulchin, Hall, Packard and Blackburn.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ATTEST:
City Clefk C)
2-
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: October 5. 2010
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
Subject: City Government Channel Policy
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and Division
Heads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
Page
1 of 4
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
PURPOSE:
This policy is to define the purpose, goals, objectives and programming priorities for the
city government channel (currently Time Warner 24/126, collectively "channel" and future
channels provided by AT&T and future video service providers), CBTV. This policy
includes guidelines for accepting content from other government agencies and the
allocation of channel time. The proposed City Council policy will grant authority to the City
Manager or his/her designee for overall operations, programming activities and program
scheduling.
BACKGROUND:
In 2006 the passage of the state franchise law Digital Infrastructure and Video
Competition Act of 2006 (DIVCA) changed some requirements for local cable companies,
such as Time Warner Cable. On January 1, 2008, DIVCA became effective and created a
statewide franchising process for the delivery of video services, shifted customer service
to local entities, and changed public education and government (PEG) access
requirements and support. Effective January 1, 2009, Time Warner Cable's duty to
support PEG channel facilities shifted to local PEG channel operation. This meant the city
took over responsibility for producing City Council meetings. Additionally the city is also
responsible for programming a city government channel, currently designated on the Time
Warner system as 24/126. AT&T and future video service providers are also required to
make the necessary technical arrangements to carry the city's government channel and to
abide by the channel policy.
POLICY:
It shall be the policy of the city's channel to provide government programming of interest to
the residents of Carlsbad concerning the functions, activities, programs and issues of the
city and to facilitate the community's ability to learn about and participate in city
government. Live and recorded programming will be used when available for playback.
bandidates' forums or debates may be allowed for the purpose of informing residents
jbout declared candidates for City of Carlsbad elective office.
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: October 5. 2010
Page 2 of 2
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
Subject: City Government Channel Policy
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and
Division Heads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
Page
2 of 4
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
The objectives of the city's government channel are as follows:
• To inform the Carlsbad community about city issues, programs and services.
• To explain the opportunities for and encourage community participation in city
decision making.
• To provide other governmental agency programming relating to city issues or city
residents, produced in accordance with City of Carlsbad guidelines.
• To playback candidate forums/debates consistent with this policy.
Programming viewed on the city's government channel must fall into one or more of the
following programming categories. The programming categories are listed in order of
priority:
1. Emergency - Live, taped, or text and graphics programming shown at any time, as
emergency dictates, to disseminate emergency instructions and critical safety information
to the public and to provide accurate and complete information regarding emergency
incident cause, size, status, impact and resource commitments. The City Manager or
his/her designee shall approve the content and scheduling of any emergency
programming. In the case of an emergency, regularly scheduled programming maybe
interrupted or canceled.
2. Government Meetings/Hearings/Events - City Council meetings are intended, to the
extent possible, to be aired gavel-to-gavel without editing or editorial comment. Some
public meetings, city functions and special events will be recorded and edited for length for
airing at times convenient to the viewing public.
3. City Services and Community Benefits - Programming that provides information
about city government services and projects.
4. Other Government Agency Programming - Other government agency programming
relating to city issues or city residents, produced in accordance with these guidelines,
including special districts, county, state and federal agencies, relating to non-partisan
programs or information concerning government services or activities regarding their
respective level of government's response to community issues of local concern.
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CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: October 5. 2010
ibject: Citv Government Channel Policy
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
Page
3 of 4
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
jpies to: Citv Council, Citv Manager, Citv Attorney, Department Heads and
Division Heads, Emplovee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
. Candidates Forums or Debates - Playback of a candidate forum/debate mav be allowed if
ie organization sponsoring the forum/debate submits a statement in writing that it will complv
/ith the following -conditions:
. The Sponsoring organization shall reguest playback on the citv government channel of a
andidates' forum/debate in writing to the Citv Manager no fewer than 60 davs prior to the
lection. The request shall include a statement that the organization
revisions in this policy.
. The forum/debate shall not exceed two hours.
will complv with the
. All legallv declared candidates for the office(s) included in the forum/debate shall be invited.
. The sponsoring organization shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse anv candidate(s) or
allot measure during the election period that starts with the filing deadline and ends
Election Day.
the dav after
. Egual time shall be scheduled for each candidate during the forum/debate.
Forums shall be held at a time that does not conflict with regularly scheduled meetings of
ie Carlsbad Citv Council or its boards and commissions.
. The sponsoring organizations requesting plavback must produce the forum/debate according
) the technical specifications for the Citv of Carlsbad government channel, cover all
ssociated with producing the forum/debate, and ensure all candidates can be seen
learlv.
costs
and heard
. Only pre-recorded programs will be considered. Live coverage will not be allowed.
The content of the forum/debate must be informational in nature and mav not include
dvocacv for or against a particular candidate or advocacy for or against a particular
leasure.
The forum/debate must be open to the public, free of charge.
ballot
. A maximum of two candidate forums/debates shall be played on the Citv of Carlsbad
overnment channel for each election. In the event that there are more than two gualifving
squests to plavback candidate forums, the two reguests to be selected shall be drawn bv
)t bv the Citv Manager at a Citv Council meetinq.
When scheduling the plavback of candidate forums/debates, the Citv Manager or his/her
esignee will do her/his best to provide plavback on a similar dav, at a similar time and under
imilar conditions, but with no guarantee of being able to match plavback conditions exactly.
^ fee will be charged to other govornmont agoncios to cover all costs associated with
reparation and scheduling of programming for playback.
"his policy delegates to the City Manager the authority to adopt an administrative order to
nplement and carry out the provisions of thisis policy.
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: October 5, 2010
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
Subject: City Government Channel Policy
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and
Division Heads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
Page
4 of 4
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
AFFECTIVE DATE:
t
f
his policy is effective immediately upon adoption. Since the date of this policy is fewer
lan 60 days from the next election (November 2. 2010), for the November 2. 2010.
lection only, the City of Carlsbad will accept requests for playback of candidate
jrums/debates up to 20 days prior to the election.
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: October 5, 2010
Subject: City Government Channel Policy
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and Division
Heads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
Supersedes No.
Page
1 of 3
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
PURPOSE:
This policy is to define the purpose, goals, objectives and programming priorities for the
city government channel (currently Time Warner 24/126, collectively "channel" and future
channels provided by AT&T and future video service providers), CBTV. This policy
includes guidelines for accepting content from other government agencies and the
allocation of channel time. The proposed City Council policy will grant authority to the City
Manager or his/her designee for overall operations, programming activities and program
scheduling.
BACKGROUND:
In 2006 the passage of the state franchise law Digital Infrastructure and Video
Competition Act of 2006 (DIVCA) changed some requirements for local cable companies,
such as Time Warner Cable. On January 1, 2008, DIVCA became effective and created a
statewide franchising process for the delivery of video services, shifted customer service
to local entities, and changed public education and government (PEG) access
requirements and support. Effective January 1, 2009, Time Warner Cable's duty to
support PEG channel facilities shifted to local PEG channel operation. This meant the city
took over responsibility for producing City Council meetings. Additionally the city is also
responsible for programming a city government channel, currently designated on the Time
Warner system as 24/126. AT&T and future video service providers are also required to
make the necessary technical arrangements to carry the city's government channel and to
abide by the channel policy.
POLICY:
It shall be the policy of the city's channel to provide government programming of interest to
the residents of Carlsbad concerning the functions, activities, programs and issues of the
city and to facilitate the community's ability to learn about and participate in city
government. Live and recorded programming will be used when available for playback.
Candidates' forums or debates may be allowed for the purpose of informing residents
about declared candidates for City of Carlsbad elective office.
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: October 5, 2010
Subject: City Government Channel Policy
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and
Division Heads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
Supersedes No.
Page
2 of 3
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
The objectives of the city's government channel are as follows:
• To inform the Carlsbad community about city issues, programs and services.
• To explain the opportunities for and encourage community participation in city
decision making.
• To provide other governmental agency programming relating to city issues or city
residents, produced in accordance with City of Carlsbad guidelines.
• To playback candidate forums/debates consistent with this policy.
Programming viewed on the city's government channel must fall into one or more of the
following programming categories. The programming categories are listed in order of
priority:
1. Emergency - Live, taped, or text and graphics programming shown at any time, as
emergency dictates, to disseminate emergency instructions and critical safety information
to the public and to provide accurate and complete information regarding emergency
incident cause, size, status, impact and resource commitments. The City Manager or
his/her designee shall approve the content and scheduling of any emergency
programming. In the case of an emergency, regularly scheduled programming maybe
interrupted or canceled.
2. Government Meetings/Hearings/Events - City Council meetings are intended, to the
extent possible, to be aired gavel-to-gavel without editing or editorial comment. Some
public meetings, city functions and special events will be recorded and edited for length for
airing at times convenient to the viewing public.
3. City Services and Community Benefits - Programming that provides information
about city government services and projects.
4. Other Government Agency Programming - Other government agency programming
relating to city issues or city residents, produced in accordance with these guidelines,
including special districts, county, state and federal agencies, relating to non-partisan
programs or information concerning government services or activities regarding their
respective level of government's response to community issues of local concern.
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: October 5, 2010
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
Page
3 of 3
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
Subject: City Government Channel Policy
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and
Division Heads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
5. Candidates Forums or Debates - Playback of a candidate forum/debate may be allowed if
the organization sponsoring the forum/debate complies with the following conditions:
a. The sponsoring organization shall request playback on the city government channel of a
candidates' forum/debate in writing to the City Manager no fewer than 60 days prior to the
election. The request shall include a statement that the organization will comply with the
provisions in this policy.
b. The forum/debate shall not exceed two hours.
c. All legally declared candidates for the office(s) included in the forum/debate shall be invited.
d. The sponsoring organization shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse any candidate(s)
during the election period that starts with the filing deadline and ends the day after Election Day.
e. Equal time shall be scheduled for each candidate during the forum/debate.
f. Forums shall be held at a time that does not conflict with regularly scheduled meetings of
the Carlsbad City Council or its boards and commissions.
g. The sponsoring organizations requesting playback must produce the forum/debate according
to the technical specifications for the City of Carlsbad government channel, cover all costs
associated with producing the forum/debate, and ensure all candidates can be seen and heard
clearly.
h. Only pre-recorded programs will be considered. Live coverage will not be allowed.
i. The content of the forum/debate must be informational in nature and may not include
advocacy for or against a particular candidate or advocacy for or against a particular ballot
measure.
j. The forum/debate must be open to the public, free of charge.
k. A maximum of two candidate forums/debates shall be played on the City of Carlsbad
government channel for each election. In the event that there are more than two qualifying
requests to playback candidate forums, the two requests to be selected shall be drawn by
lot by the City Manager at a City Council meeting.
I. When scheduling the playback of candidate forums/debates, the City Manager or his/her
designee will do her/his best to provide playback on a similar day, at a similar time and under
similar conditions, but with no guarantee of being able to match playback conditions exactly.
A fee will be charged to cover all costs associated with preparation and scheduling of
programming for playback.
This policy delegates to the City Manager the authority to adopt an administrative order to
implement and carry out the provisions of this policy.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This policy is effective immediately upon adoption. Since the date of this policy is fewer
than 60 days from the next election (November 2, 2010), for the November 2, 2010,
election only, the City of Carlsbad will accept requests for playback of candidate
forums/debates up to 25 days prior to the election.
All Receive
r A m CD A r> F°r the Informati°n of the:CAKLbDAU CITY COUNCIL
ACM DCM _ CA CC www.carlsbadca.gov
Datelhf'f- City Managei^^"
Memorandum
October 4, 2010
To: Lisa Hildabrand, City Manager
From: Kristina Ray, Communications Manager
Re: Errata for Agenda Bill Item No. 6 - Revise Council Policy #75 - City Government
Channel Policy
To corrects typographic error on page 3 of the proposed revisions to Council Policy #75, staff
recommends that the effective date of the Policy be modified as follows:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This policy is effective immediately upon adoption. Since the date of this policy is fewer
than 60 days from the next election (November 2, 2010), for the November 2, 2010, election
only, the City of Carlsbad will accept requests for playback of candidate forums/debates up to 25
days prior to the election.
Thankyou- -.Date:
Distribution:
City Clerk
Asst. City Clerk
Attachment Deputy Clerk
Book
City Hall
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-434-2820 I 760-720-9461 fax
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: Octobers, 2010
Subject: City Government Channel Policy
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and Division
Heads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
PURPOSE:
This policy is to define the purpose, goals, objectives and programming priorities for the
city government channel (currently Time Warner 24/126, collectively "channel" and future
channels provided by AT&T and future video service providers), CBTV. This policy
includes guidelines for accepting content from other government agencies and the
allocation of channel time. The proposed City Council policy will grant authority to the City
Manager or his/her designee for overall operations, programming activities and program
scheduling.
BACKGROUND:
In 2006 the passage of the state franchise law Digital Infrastructure and Video
Competition Act of 2006 (DIVCA) changed some requirements for local cable companies,
such as Time Warner Cable. On January 1, 2008, DIVCA became effective and created a
statewi4o4fanohi6ir>§^fecess-foF-;the delivery of video services, shifted customer service
to I )cal entities, and changed pubjjcvaducation and government (PEG) access
req jirefRent8~€HTd-9ti^ertr-^ffectivB^anuary 1, 2009, Time Warner Cable's duty to
support PEG channel fSttOllllCWl^Wlb local PEG channel operation. This meant the city
too c over responsibility for IJ|f$g|J®iiyf£!Jy Council meetings. Additionally the city is also
res >on"5tbte"Tdr Pr°9'S'2n^ngA«ity.igovernrnent channel, currently designated on the Time
Wa nei^&ystem as 2ftl$2& #mT aMuruture video service providers are also required to
ma ;e the necessary teOtoSio) aflfcitfJ/Sments to carry the city's government channel and to
abife by the channel policy. -anr-*
Page
1 of 3
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
POLICY?
It shall be the policy of the city's channel to provide government programming of interest to
the residents of Carlsbad concerning the functions, activities, programs and issues of the
city and to facilitate the community's ability to learn about and participate in city
government. Live and recorded programming will be used when available for playback.
Candidates' forums or debates may be allowed for the purpose of informing residents
about declared candidates for City of Carlsbad elective office.
BEST
ORIGINAL
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: October 5, 2010
Subject: City Government Channel Policy
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and
Division Heads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
Supersedes No.
Page
2 of 3
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
The objectives of the city's government channel are as follows:
• To inform the Carlsbad community about city issues, programs and services.
• To explain the opportunities for and encourage community participation in city
decision making.
• To provide other governmental agency programming relating to city issues or city
residents, produced in accordance with City of Carlsbad guidelines.
• To playback candidate forums/debates consistent with this policy.
Programming viewed on the city's government channel must fall into one or more of the
following programming categories. The programming categories are listed in order of
priority:
1. Emergency - Live, taped, or text and graphics programming shown at any time, as
emergency dictates, to disseminate emergency instructions and critical safety information
to the public and to provide accurate and complete information regarding emergency
incident cause, size, status, impact and resource commitments. The City Manager or
his/her designee shall approve the content and scheduling of any emergency
programming. In the case of an emergency, regularly scheduled programming maybe
interrupted or canceled.
2. Government Meetings/Hearings/Events - City Council meetings are intended, to the
extent possible, to be aired gavel-to-gavel without editing or editorial comment. Some
public meetings, city functions and special events will be recorded and edited for length for
airing at times convenient to the viewing public.
3. City Services and Community Benefits - Programming that provides information
about city government services and projects.
4. Other Government Agency Programming - Other government agency programming
relating to city issues or city residents, produced in accordance with these guidelines,
including special districts, county, state and federal agencies, relating to non-partisan
programs or information concerning government services or activities regarding their
respective level of government's response to community issues of local concern.
CITY OF CARLSBAD
COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT
DATED: October 5, 2010
Policy No.
Date of Issue:
Effective Date
Cancellation Date
Supersedes No.
Page
3 of 3
75
10-5-10
10-5-10
75 dated
5-19-09
Subject: City Government Channel Policy
Copies to: City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads and
Division Heads, Employee Bulletin Boards, Press, File
5. Candidates Forums or Debates - Playback of a candidate forum/debate may be allowed if
the organization sponsoring the forum/debate complies with the following conditions:
a. The sponsoring organization shall request playback on the city government channel of a
candidates' forum/debate in writing to the City Manager no fewer than 60 days prior to the
election. The request shall include a statement that the organization will comply with the
provisions in this policy.
b. The forum/debate shall not exceed two hours.
c. All legally declared candidates for the office(s) included in the forum/debate shall be invited.
d. The sponsoring organization shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse any candidate(s)
during the election period that starts with the filing deadline and ends the day after Election Day.
e. Equal time shall be scheduled for each candidate during the forum/debate.
f. Forums shall be held at a time that does not conflict with regularly scheduled meetings of
the Carlsbad City Council or its boards and commissions.
g. The sponsoring organizations requesting playback must produce the forum/debate according
to the technical specifications for the City of Carlsbad government channel, cover all costs
associated with producing the forum/debate, and ensure all candidates can be seen and heard
clearly.
h. Only pre-recorded programs will be considered. Live coverage will not be allowed.
i. The content of the forum/debate must be informational in nature and may not include
advocacy for or against a particular candidate or advocacy for or against a particular ballot
measure.
j. The forum/debate must be open to the public, free of charge.
k. A maximum of two candidate forums/debates shall be played on the City of Carlsbad
government channel for each election. In the event that there are more than two qualifying
requests to playback candidate forums, the two requests to be selected shall be drawn by
lot by the City Manager at a City Council meeting.
I. When scheduling the playback of candidate forurns/debates, the City Manager or his/her
designee will do her/his best to provide playback on a similar day, at a similar time and under
similar conditions, but with no guarantee of being able to match playback conditions exactly.
A fee will be charged to cover all costs associated with preparation and scheduling of
programming for playback.
This policy delegates to the City Manager the authority to adopt an administrative order to
implement and carry out the provisions of this policy.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This policy is effective immediately upon adoption. Since the date of this policy is fewer
than 60 days from the next election (November 2, 2010), for the November 2, 2010,
election only, the City of Carlsbad will accept requests for playback of candidate
forums/debates up to 25 days prior to the election.
Revision to City Government
Channel Policy
Oct. 5, 2010
Background
•2008 change in legislation resulted in new city
channel
•City Council policy established channel as a
“government channel”
•Currently plays City Council meetings, city
news and information, other government
programming
Requested Action
•City Council has requested the playback of
candidates forums/debates
•Requires a change in policy to:
–Allow programming produced by a non-
government organization
–Specify parameters for this type of programming
Revised Policy
•Accept requests only from nonpartisan
organizations
•No endorsements by sponsoring organization
•Forums must be informational in nature
•All declared candidates must be invited
•All candidates must be scheduled for equal
amount of time
Revised Policy
•Forums will not be aired live
•Sponsoring organization must cover all costs
of producing the forum
•Forums must be open to the public and free
Revised Policy
•2 forums per office per election
•If more than 2 requests received, 2 will be
chosen at random by city manager at a
Council meeting
•Requests must be received 60 days prior to
election
–25 days for Nov. 2, 2010 election only
Actions
•Vote on Resolution No. 2010-236, and
•Approve the revised “Effective Date” of the
Council Policy as outlined in the Errata Sheet
dated Oct. 4, 2010
–Correct error from 20 days to 25 days