A Joint Powers agreement to manage the local Public, Education and Government (PEG) channel is on hold pending a decision by the Lakeport City Council whether or not it wants to participate.
Local viewers have access to a PEG Channel through the City of Clearlake”s franchise agreement with Mediacom. Clearlake originally invited participation by Lakeport and the County of Lake , each of which appointed representatives to an advisory PEG Committee.
When then-City Manager Randy John sen resigned in June 2006, Lakeport”s seat on the committee became vacant; Lakeport has not selected a new appointee.
The PEG Committee also includes representatives of Mediacom, the Clear Lake Campus and the public at large. An additional position may soon include K-12 representation. The Clearlake City Council has the final say, however, in station operations because it is the holder of the franchise.
The committee voted last October to recommend forming a JPA to give an equal stake to Lake County and to the City of Lakeport . The three entities would each be responsible for one-third of station expenses, according to a draft agreement.
PEG Committee minutes for Wednesday, Oct. 3, compiled by Barbara Christwitz, reports that the JPA report is on hold as Lakeport City Council has not determined whether or not it will be a part of the joint-powers group.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
