Agenda

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C. 32

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	David Twa, County Administrator
Date:	May 2, 2017

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Purchase of cable television production vehicle

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/02/2017

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Betsy Burkhart, (925) 313-1180

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: May 2, 2017
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, on behalf of CCTV, to execute a purchase order with TV Pro Gear, not to exceed $115,000, for the purchase of a cable television production vehicle.

FISCAL IMPACT:

100% funded by Public, Education and Government fees paid by cable television providers.

BACKGROUND:

Contra Costa Television (CCTV) produces government and community television programming throughout Contra Costa County. This content is shown on one or more of the five PEG (Public, Education, and Government) channels that CCTV manages. Many of these productions are done with a single camera or a single operator, in rooms pre-wired with multiple remote-control cameras. Conversely, many productions require multiple cameras and a crew of more than one to be deployed in the field. Currently, CCTV performs these duties by either hauling gear in staff-owned vehicles or rented utility-type vehicles. The latter option is used when there is no onsite place for a mobile "control room" and one is configured in the cargo area of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

An intermediate level of preparation for these types of productions involves the use of "fly-packs" or prewired and configured equipment racks, often on wheels. CCTV and the City of Pittsburg, one of CCTV's partners in the management of DeltaTV, each own fly-packs. CCTV is also collaborating with the Cities of Pittsburg and Antioch, educational institutions and community radio (KLSN) in the area to develop a sports production internship program.

The demand for multi-camera productions has been steadily increasing. To better serve PEG TV needs, CCTV has been researching the capability of a mobile production vehicle that would address our unique transportation plus broadcasting needs. A California-based vendor was located that specializes in the outfitting of mobile production vehicles that utilize fly-packs, rather than permanently installed equipment. Costs for their vehicles can vary, depending on the level of customization and new equipment needs of the customer. Turnaround time for their units can take 6 months or more.

At recent trade conference, CCTV learned of the opportunity to purchase the vendor's year-old demonstration vehicle at a significant discount. This vehicle meets the needs we identified: use of fly-packs, ability to hold a production crew and interns, use of shore power, no requirement for a commercial driver's license, ramps, branding opportunities, etc. It includes a year of extended warranty. CCTV could take delivery after its final use at the National Association of Broadcasters Expo and Convention in April 2017.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

CCTV's purchase of a mobile production unit will be delayed and costs will increase. Collaborations with local partners and educational institutions will be delayed or underserved.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

CCTV's production management and support services include production services for the educational and children's services community. The creation of new, local content that serves these communities will be enhanced. CCTV's increased production capacity is only one factor in the development of the local media ecosystem, of which, existing school-based media programs are a part. CCTV will continue to build its infrastructure and media systems to support these programs.