Programming Policy and Operational Procedures for
City of Riverbank California- Riverbank Action 2
(Local Government Charter Cable Channel 2)

The following objectives, programming policy and operation procedures were developed to provide guidelines to effectively and efficiently manage the overall operation of Riverbank Action 2 (Riverbanks’ Local Government Cable Channel 2)

Mission
Riverbank Action 2’s mission is to provide quality programming that seeks to motivate the community toward civic participation, promote civic pride and showcase the cultural diversity that makes our city a unique and exciting place to live, work, and play.

Objectives

Programming Policy

• It is the policy of Riverbank Action 2 to provide direct, non-editorial information to the citizens of Riverbank concerning the operations and deliberations of the City, County, State, and Federal governments.
• Riverbank Action 2 is not a mechanism for building support for a particular candidate or candidates for political office.
• Announcements for authorized City events or events directly or otherwise determined to be of significant interest and benefit to the community shall be allowed.
• Public Service Announcements for community not-for-profit organizations may be considered and are subject to review by the Administrative Service Director or designee.
• Riverbank Action 2 shall not air programming containing:
• libelous statements or matter
• Copyrighted material without appropriate written releases or permissions
• Commercial speech
• Any other material inappropriate to the mandate, mission, goals, and priorities of Riverbank Action 2
• Any material, which in the professional judgment of the City Attorney, is inconsistent with Federal, State or Local law ordinance or rule, which may subject the City of Riverbank to liability

• Given limited staff and technical resources available, Riverbank Action 2, cannot operate like a commercial station news department or video production house.
• The City of Riverbank retains the exclusive authority to determine the programming schedule for Riverbank Action 2.
• Typically, programs broadcast on Riverbank Action 2 will be tape-delayed and may be repeated on a re-determined basis, as appropriate. However, certain programming may be broadcast live and as appropriate, rebroadcast as tape-delayed programming. Live televised coverage may include City Council meetings and other selected public meetings, or other events of general community interest.

Programming Restrictions
The City of Riverbank shall administrate Riverbank Action 2 in a manner that is in compliance with the rules, regulations, and guidelines of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). Riverbank Action 2 is not a public access channel and thus is not intended to air unsolicited material that does not meet the mission and vision of Riverbank Action 2. In addition the following restrictions shall apply.

• Content which has the purpose of promoting commercial/profit-making services, products; trade, business, religion, or any other non-city purpose shall not be aired or programmed on Riverbank Action 2.
• Content containing copyrighted materials shall not be aired or programmed without proper copyright authorization. Any non-city personnel who produce or are responsible for programming for Riverbank Action 2 shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary copyright clearance with respect to such production or programming and shall hold the city harmless in any instance of copyright infringement. However, when deemed appropriate by the City Manager, credit may be cited on Riverbank Action 2 when special assistance has been provided by a commercial or charitable enterprise.

Operational Procedures
Riverbank Action 2:The local government access cable television channel shall operate on Charter Communication Channel 2.

• Access Policy: Access to Riverbank Action 2 is limited to City departments and those entities with a direct relationship with the City of Riverbank. Riverbank Action 2 is not intended for general public use.
• Public Meetings: All regular City Council meetings will be cablecast. Meetings related to governmental committees, boards and commissions may be cablecast at the request or by permission of the Administrative Service Director or designee, logistics permitting.
• Informational Programming: All programming on Riverbank Action 2 is considered to be informational or educational. All City departments may submit through their Department Administrators requests to cablecast pre-produced material that they feel may be appropriate for cablecast on Riverbank Action 2. Any programming request shall be subject to review by the Administrative Service Director or designee for appropriateness and technical consideration. Those programs which are consistent with the overall operating policy of Riverbank Action 2, as determined by the Administrative Service Director or designee shall be cablecast. Written permission for the use of copyrighted material must be authorized in advance by the materials owner and obtained by the sponsor of said material.
• Individual Statements: Requests for access to Riverbank Action 2 by persons other than a City department for the purpose of advocating a personal viewpoint or policy will not be allowed. Announced candidates for public office shall not be permitted to make personal statements over Riverbank Action 2, except in the regular discourse of public meetings or within a forum of public debate or question/answer format with all other declared candidates being invited and under the oversight of impartial third party using mutually agreeable ground rules. Incumbents who become candidates for public office can not appear on Riverbank Action 2 except as described above during their period of candidacy.
• Information Messages for the Calendar: Information for the calendar may be submitted by any City department. Messages submitted should be consistent with the previous policies and intentions of this policy statement and shall be cablecast at the discretion of the Administrative Service Director, or designee.
• Cablecast Commercialism of Public Forums is discouraged: In furtherance of this policy Riverbank Action 2 will make every attempt to get tight shots of speakers in a manner to exclude commercial banners and logos wherever feasible. It being understood that a commercial name may appear due to the inability to cut it out of the frame, and Riverbank Action 2 can not control its exclusion.
• Disclaimer: Riverbank Action 2, the City of Riverbank and its administration, its officers, employees and agents do not warrant the accuracy of any information cablecast over Channel 2.
• Endorsements: At no time will Riverbank Action 2 endorse specific brand name products or service providers.
• Sponsor Acknowledgments: Riverbank Action 2 may provide "on- air" acknowledgments of program sponsors.
• Promotions: Promotional announcements for City sponsored events or activities are generally, acceptable for cablecast on Riverbank Action 2. Public Service Announcements for agencies outside of local or county government are subject to appropriateness as determined by the Administrative Service Director, or designee.
• Use of Equipment: The use of Channel 2's video production equipment shall be restricted to City department’s related activities by City department employees. Loaning of equipment for personal use is not authorized.
• Hours of Operation: It is the goal of Riverbank Action 2 to provide programming twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Complaints & Grievance: Any complaints must be made in writing to the Administrative Service Director. A written response outlining management’s decision on the issue shall be provided for the complainant within ten (10) working days of receipt of a complaint or additional time will be requested of the complainant if needed to obtain more information. Written appeals of decisions shall be made to the City Manager, who shall attempt to resolve the issue with the complainant within fifteen (15) working days of receipt of an appeal. The Riverbank City Manager shall have the discretion to interpret definitions and enforce prohibitions and policy guidelines and procedures.
• Copies of Programs: Copies of programs produced by Riverbank Action 2 may be obtained subject to the following price and policy:
• Tape or DVD Provided By Requester -- Single Program $10.00
• Tape or DVD Provided by City of Riverbank -- Single Program $15.00
• Meetings* call the Deputy City Clerk for cost 209-863-7122
• Payment for dubs may be made in cash, check or money-order, payable to "City of Riverbank."
• In consideration for their cooperation for a program's production, persons contributing to the production of programs may receive one free copy of a program.
• Copies of programs, meetings or portions of meetings for in-house, governmental use are provided at no charge. That department, governmental agency or official is expected to provide a high grade DVD otherwise copies of programs/meetings made on DVD’s provided by Riverbank Action 2 for use in-house remain the property of the City of Riverbank Administration department.
• All copies are subject to availability of programming, copy right authorization and dubbing facilities.
• Editing Policy: Editing of programming on Riverbank Action 2 shall be subject to the following.

• Public Meetings: Any public meeting cablecast on Riverbank Action 2, be they live or on videotape, will be aired in its entirety, gavel to gavel without editorial comment. Exceptions to this policy may occur only when editing out possible recesses, to comply with public standard of decency or when technical limitations restrict production procedures. Supplemental information on agenda items which the Administrative Service Director determines will aid the viewer in understanding the issues or matters under discussion may be provided.
• Departmental Programs: Any programming prepared or provided by a City department may be modified or edited as deemed appropriate to the policies governing Riverbank Action 2's use by the Administrative Service Director or designee. This determination may be made by policy restrictions or by technical, scheduling or staff limitations.

Types of Programs:

• Live Cablecast: Live coverage of selected meetings will be provided. This will consist of The Riverbank City Council meetings and the Riverbank Planning Commission Meetings.
• Taped-Delayed Cablecast: Taped meetings, shows and events videotaped in advance for cablecast at a later time. Note: Some events will be cablecast live and will also be taped for later playback.
• Staff-Originated Programming: Programs of this nature include programs for city departments, issues related to City Government or about groups/committees/boards, etc., that are affiliated with city government or which use public dollars. These programs could be either live or taped-delayed cablecasts.
• Acquired Programming: Material that is related to City, County, State, or Federal Government that is produced by an outside source for the purpose of information or education and that can be purchased, rented or borrowed for cablecast are considered acquired programming. In addition, programs disseminated through satellite down-link that are related to Local, State, or Federal issues may be cablecast. Written permission to air these shows must be obtained before airing and retained on file. Any program with a kill date or number of airings indicated must be labeled as such.
• Community Calendar Information: Character generated messages related to City activities, programs, services and events sponsored in whole or in part by the City of Riverbank or other governmental unit affecting Riverbank Citizens will be aired in-between scheduled programs. Messages must be approved by the Administrative Director and must meet the mission and purpose of Riverbank Action 2.

Definitions

Community Calendar:
The community calendar that displays on the channel in between programming throughout the day; is intended to provide information of community relevance, news items, and announcements that are of interest and value to our community.

Copyright:
The exclusive legal right of publication, duplication, imitation, or sale of literary, musical or artistic work.

Educational Access:
Programming that is produced and/or provided by a member of an educational institution, or one that is produced by another party with the intent of delivering content of educational value or the distribution of information from a school district.

Government Access:
Programming that is produced and/or provided by a governmental body, institution, or government-funded organization; programming presenting 'gavel-to-gavel' coverage of government meetings; programming distributing information from a governmental body or branch of government.

Amendments: The Policies and Procedures stated herein may be amended on an as needed basis as recommended to the City Manager's Office.