Missoula Community Access Television 2009 Annual Report Missoula Civic Television Advisory Commission

January, 2010 Missoula Community Access Television 500 North Higgins, Missoula, MT 59802 Annual Report 2009 Missoula Civic Television Advisory Commission February 2010 Missoula Community Access Television’s government channel is an electronic pipeline that enriches civic life in 20,000 Missoula households. It helps remind us that the work of local government is bigger than the City Council Chambers and City Hall and that everyone can be involved in it. The MCAT staff works on government channel programming with the advice of the 10-member Missoula Civic Television Advisory Commission (MCTAC). Its appointees represent interests across the community: city and county government staff members and elected officials, Missoula County Public Schools, the University of Montana and citizens at large. The commission strives for a broad mix of programming types and subjects in the 1,400 hours contracted for local government coverage each year. Highlights of this year’s programming included detailed coverage of the City’s Zoning Code Rewrite process. It included a magazine-style explanatory show and meeting coverage that added up to a significant piece of the concerted public outreach throughout the rewrite process. Other programming took viewers to the Missoula City Cemetery for the storytelling of the Stories and Stones series; coverage of Bike Walk Bus Week; the Historic Preservation Commission Awards Ceremony; Western Montana Fair consultant sessions; musical concerts in schools and at the All City Orchestra at the University of Montana; the State of Missoula annual addresses by the mayor and county commissioners’ chair; the Best Practices Transportation Awards; the Community Forum of Missoula’s neighborhood councils; Project Homeless Connect; an educational primer on the new Higgins Avenue Roundabout; and the Police Department’s Day of Remembrance. During 2009, the commission stretched to juggle the increased meeting coverage taken on in the second half of 2008 while still providing lively magazine-style programming. The 2008 additions were meeting coverage of the City’s Design Review Board, the City Board of Adjustment, the County Board of Adjustment, the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee, the Transportation Policy Coordinating Committee and monthly meetings of the Health Board. The government channel also incorporates meeting coverage of the Missoula Board of County Commissioners and some Missoula County Public Schools meetings as a public service. Actual production and related equipment set-up time total 780 hours a year. MCAT staff members spend about 150 hours a year scheduling City programs, 200 hours posting City notices on the community message board and 70 hours attending meetings and creating reports. This adds up to about 1,200 hours a year, leaving only 200 hours a year for creation of other programming. The MCAT staff, with support from the MCAT board, has generously accommodated the MCTAC members’ desire for both meeting coverage and feature programming with media assistance grants. Still, as of Feb. 11, 2010, government channel programming has exceeded the three-year contract hours of 4,200 hours by 182 hours. At the current rate, the commission’s requests will have exceeded the contract agreement by 800 hours at the end of the contract on June 30, 2010. MCTAC members will work concertedly toward a balance of programming that also meets the contract hours in coming months. The government channel’s diversity is its strength and a key to MCAT’s service as a public-access channel with a number of viewers that’s five times the national average for public-access television. Missoula viewers have a keen interest in public affairs and in the business of local government, and they watch their government channel. In other business in 2009, the commission supported the MCAT staff in its addition of streaming video, a valued service. It also changed its name from the Government Channel Cable Advisory Commission (GCCAC) to the more explanatory Missoula Civic Television Advisory Commission (MCTAC). An overhaul of the bylaws led to more efficient meetings and better attendance. The Missoula Civic Television Advisory Commission meets 10 times a year. Its membership of 10 people consists of four at-large citizens, two appointed by the mayor and two by the City Council; two City Council members; one City staff member; one University of Montana representative; one member designated by Missoula County Public Schools; and one member designated by Missoula County. They look forward to another year of guiding the government channel as an integral part of free speech and information in Missoula.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Bellin, Missoula resident Lesli Brassfield, Missoula County Public Schools Ed Childers, City Council representative Jean Curtiss, Missoula County Board of Commissioners Antonio Guglielmo, Missoula resident Ginny Merriam, City of Missoula staff Rita Munzenrider, University of Montana John Rettenmayer, Missoula resident, Chair Link Starbureiy, Missoula resident Jason Wiener, City Council representative, Vice Chair 2009 MCTAC Report Bicycle Pedestrian Office What’s Up Missoula: Phil Smith on Bike Walk Bus Week 2009. The campaign attempts to gently focus Missoulian’s attention on exploring and reinforcing forms of transportation other than a single-occupancy vehicle. The program includes incentives from Missoula businesses, free bus rides, bicycle clinics, walking tours of Missoula and many other activities surrounding alternative transportation. 22 minutes, What’s Up Missoula folder. City Cemetery Stories and Stones: Sheriff’s Edition Missoula’s peaceable and violent past is recounted through the eyes of Missoula’s 20th Century Sheriffs and Peace Officers. The program includes George Cole, Robert MaClean, Jim Thomas Green, Daniel Heyfron, William H. Houston. Presented by Captain Willis Hintz, Missoula Sheriff’s office. Inventory 107065a, 34 minutes.

Stories and Stones: Mayor’s Edition The program includes historic photographs inlaid with Mayor John Engen’s description of past Missoula Mayors. The mayors include Frank Woody, J.M. Keith and Frank Higgins. Juliet Gregory, Missoula’s first woman Mayor of 1947, is mentioned, along with Ralph Starr, Ralph Shoup, Bill Cregg and John Toole. Inventory 107098, 51 minutes.

Stories and Stones 2009 The 2009 program features Lee & Bess Elliot, Daniel Bandmann, Reverend Thomas Lewis, and Sandra and Frank Woody, Missoula’s first mayor. Inventory 107720, 68 minutes. City Council City Council Meetings Missoula City Council meetings remain extremely popular viewing on MCAT Civic Channel 11. At Council meetings, public hearings are held, and the public has an opportunity to weigh in on the immediate issues facing the City. The Charter states, “The legislative authority of the City of Missoula shall be vested in the City Council which shall have the authority to enact such ordinances and resolutions necessary for the protection and benefit of the people’s health, welfare and security. The City Council shall be the policy-making body of the City of Missoula.” MCAT recorded 102.5 hours in report period.

4 City Council Committee Meetings Before issues are brought forth in City Council meetings, reports and information are gathered and discussed in committee meetings. The standing committees of the council are Public Safety and Health; Conservation; Administration and Finance;, Public Works; Plat, Annexation and Zoning; and the Committee of the Whole. MCAT provided coverage 216 hours of meeting in the report period. Fire Department Your Choice High School students witness a moving and realistic reenactment of a crash of a car driven by a teenager provided by emergency response units and fire departments in Western Montana. Inventory 107502, 16 minutes. MCAT Summer Camp: Headquarters Station Summer campers at MCAT’s video camp for youth made a documentary about the Missoula Fire Department’s Headquarters Station during their one-week video intensive work. The documentary is a testament to the generosity and skill of the firefighters who provided the kids with a tour of the facility and demonstrations of equipment and procedures. The program includes interviews with firefighters and water safety issues for boating and swimming. Inventory 107497, 21 minutes. Health Department City-County Health Board Coverage At the request of the City-County Health Department, MCAT began coverage of the City-County Health Board meetings in 2009. The meetings include the Health Board, the Air Pollution Control Board, and the Water Quality District Board. MCAT produced 24 hours of coverage in the report period. The coverage entails transporting, setting up and returning a multi-camera studio system.

Unplug and Play Week “Unplug & Play Missoula!” is a community collaboration that aims to improve the health of families and community by making screen-time reduction an important part of health initiatives. The program features Mary McCourt from the Missoula City-County Health Department. What’s Up Missoula, 23 minutes What’s Up Missoula Folder

5 Historic Preservation Historic Preservation Commission Awards Ceremony 2008 The program is hosted by Cynthia Manning, chairperson of the commission, and Philip Maechling, the Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Missoula. A photography program that involved re-creating the perspectives of historic photos called “Then and Now, Changing Places in Missoula” was given a behind-the- scenes look. The award recipients in 2008 included The Nine Mile Ranger Station, the Missoula Board of County Commissioners for work on the historic County Courthouse and Rick Nash of Zip Auto. In the private residence area Janene Caywood, Milo McLeod and Marina Snow were presented with Historic Preservation Awards. The Boone and Crockett Club was recognized, as were the Math Building at the University of Montana and Scott Cooney for his work with Lincoln School and the historic buildings in Bonner. Inventory 107066, 81 minutes. Missoula County County Commissioners Meetings MCAT provided 68.5 hours of meeting coverage in the report period. The coverage entails transporting, setting up and returning a multi-camera studio system.

Elections Office What’s Up Missoula with Vickie Zeier on the Mail-in Ballot Elections of 2009. 12 minutes, What’s Up Missoula Folder

Western Montana Fair Consultant Sessions “Input on the Western Montana Fair” Volume 1 and 2 Inventory 107300, 220 minutes Volume 3 and 4 Inventory 107299, 88 minutes Volume 5 and 6 Inventory 107309, 112 minutes Volume 7 and 8 Inventory 107311, 116 minutes. There is a total of 9 hours of programming. Many Missoula citizens testify and ask questions during the fact-finding days of meeting.

6 Missoula County Public Schools Budget Meetings

MCAT recorded 14 hours of budget meetings for the School District, which included citizen input on the tough budget decisions. MCPS Folder.

Concert Series Each year MCAT works with Lesli Brassfield, the Director of Public Affairs for Missoula County Public Schools District, and the Fine Arts Supervisor to identify and record school concerts to bring a more cultural perspective on the educational achievements of the school district. MCAT recorded the following concerts in the report period:

Concert Jazz at Alliance Church, recorded December 1, 2008 at Alliance Church Inventory 107302b 36 minutes. The Missoula Youth Symphony at Hellgate Auditorium Inventory 107303a, 42 minutes.

All City Orchestra at University of Montana. Inventory 107303b, 32 minutes Jefferson School Concert, December 10, 2008 Washington Middle School 8th Grade Band. Inventory 10301a, 48 minutes AA Choral Invitational Festival Inventory 10301b, 58 minutes and Inventory 107302a 67 minutes. Washington School Music Concert, recorded December 11, 2008 features a Holiday Showcase from 7th and 8th grade Orchestras. Inventory 107306a 45 minutes Porter Middle School Holiday Concert features Porter’s 7th and 8th Grade Orchestras and Choir. Inventory 107306b 42 minutes A Holiday Concert featuring the Hellgate Concert Band and Symphonic Winds. Inventory 10740a, 55 minutes.

7 All City Eighth Grade Girl’s Choir Winter Concert. Inventory 107304b 50 minutes. Hellgate Choir, recorded at the University of Montana December 15, 2008. Inventory 107305a 68 minutes. Big Sky Winter Concert featuring Big Sky Choirs and Orchestra. Inventory 107305b, 78 minutes

What’s Up Missoula? The 2009 Mill Levy with Alex Apostle. 15 minutes, What’s Up Missoula Folder. What’s Up Missoula? Dickinson Lifelong Learning Center with Monique Fortmann, 22 minutes, What’s Up Missoula Folder. Finance and Operation Monthly Meetings MCAT recorded 16 hours of meetings during this report period.

Personnel, Negotiations and Policy Missoula County Public Schools maintains this committee, which meets monthly. MCAT recorded 15.5 hours of meeting during this report period.

Senior All Night Party What’s Up Missoula Leslie Jensen, an MCPS parent, has been working on creating a safe environment for graduating seniors for many years. Leslie details aspects of an all-night party for seniors being held at the University Center, open to all graduating seniors. 11 minutes, What’s Up Missoula Folder.

Teaching and Learning Monthly Meetings MCPS reviews areas of curriculum on a five-year rotating cycle. During the 2008-2009 school year, the District is reviewing Social Studies and World Languages. MCAT recorded 16.5 hours of Teaching and Learning meetings for the school system.

2009 Start of School Celebration: Working Together…We Achieve! This program celebrating the staff and faculty of MCPS features Shoshone Tribal Elder Carmel Garnet; George Dennison, President of the University of Montana; John Engen, Mayor of Missoula; Toni Rehbein, Chair of the School Board; and former Montana Congressman Pat Williams. Inventory 107499, 92 minutes

8 Mayor’s Office State of Missoula for 2009 This forum was hosted by the Missoula Chamber of Commerce. County Commissioner Bill Carey speaks for Missoula County and Mayor John Engen reports on the state of and outlook for the City of Missoula. The program concludes with a question-and-answer period. Inventory 107367, 73 minutes.

Missoula in Motion 2008 Best Practices Transportation Awards The awards were presented by all three county commissioners. Also in attendance were Mayor John Engen, Council members Jason Weiner, Marilyn Marler, Stacy Rye, and Pam Walzer. The winners were Big Sky Brewery, exCargo Bicycle Delivery, and Free Cycles Missoula. Inventory 107279 58 minutes.

Workshop 1 Transportation and Health Todd Litman, the Executive Director of Victoria Transportation Policy Institute. The presentation helps to identify better solutions to transportation problems, including some approaches that are frequently overlooked or misunderstood. Identify the full benefits, costs and equity impacts of alternative transportation policies and programs, compare and evaluate alternatives, and create a bridge between theory and practice. Inventory, 107450, 63 minutes. Workshop 2 Transportation Tax Benefits Pat Boyle of the Boyle, Deveny and Meyer accounting firm in Missoula presents an overview of tax incentives employers have to give their employees an opportunity to use alternate modes of transportation to get to work. Inventory 107436, 48 minutes

Office of Neighborhoods Community Forum All citizens in Missoula have an opportunity to get involved in their neighborhood councils and make a difference right where they live. Missoulians established neighborhood councils to build cooperation and improved communication between citizens and city officials. Each month the neighborhood councils meet together in Council Chambers. MCAT recorded 17.5 hours of Community Forum meetings.

9 Office of Planning and Grants City of Board of Adjustment (CIBOA) The Board of Adjustment, enabled by state law and the Missoula City Zoning Ordinance, is established to hear and decide requests to vary from the zoning regulations, requests for special exceptions, and appeals of the zoning officer’s administrative decisions. MCAT recorded 8.25 hours of meetings in this report period.

Missoula City Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Advisory Group Meetings Meeting dates include: November 20, 2008 144 minutes Inventory 107321 December 11, 2008 132 minutes Inventory 107338 February 11, 2009 116 minutes. Inventory 107404 March 24, 2009 165 minutes, April 8, 2009 162 minutes Planning Board Folder April 29 Planning Board Zoning Re-Write 155 minutes Planning Board Folder HUD Five Year Consolidated Plan Mike Barton and Nancy Harte lead this meeting, which solicits inputs from housing and social service providers throughout Missoula. The input is part of a process of maintaining well-defined objectives for HUD-funded activities in Missoula, specifically Community Development Block Grants and HOME grants. Recorded on December 11, 2008. Inventory 107342, 102 minutes Human Services Leadership Summit The program brings together social service managers from a number of groups in Missoula for an exchange of ideas and best practices. The group also cooperates on fundraising and grant-writing opportunities. Organizations represented include Community Medical Center, Missoula Job Service, Missoula County Public Schools, Mayor’s Office, City of Missoula, YWCA, WORD, HOMEWORD, Opportunity Resources among others. The group seeks to articulate its particular overall mission and to cooperate in a Community Management Team. Inventory 107332a, 171 minutes, 107332b 82 minutes.

Planning Board The Consolidated Planning Board holds public hearings and provides recommendations to the City and County governing bodies on adoption and amendments to growth policies, zoning regulations, and subdivision regulations. It also hears and makes recommendations on zoning and rezoning requests and major subdivision proposals located in both the City and County. MCAT cablecast over 133 hours of Planning Board meetings during the report period.

10 Project Homeless Connect Melissa Gordon of OPG worked with Rebecca Stancil of the Missoula Housing Authority and Homeless Advocate Gina Sandon to provide a service day for homeless people and those people in danger of becoming homeless. The group organized a number of Missoula resources to provide a one-stop service event that included referrals, on-site health care, haircuts, clothing and food boxes, pet care and credit counseling all in one day at the United Methodist Church on Main Street. What’s Up Missoula Folder Police Department Day of Remembrance Rememberance and Celebration Ceremony at Rose Park Law Enforcement Memorial 2009. The program features Mary Ross singing “Amazing Grace.” Police Chief Mark Muir and Missoula Mayor John Engen preside over the ceremony, which provides recognition to police officers who excelled in service or were injured or killed in service. Colonel Mike Tooley, Chief of the Montana Highway Patrol, presented a commendation for officers killed in the line of duty. Missoula police officers received certificates of commendation for their achievements in the past year. Honored officers include Sgt Jerry Odlin, Detective Dean Chrestenson and Detective Guy Baker. Inventory 107480, 53 minutes. Public Works Eastside/Northside Neighborhood Council Meeting The meeting provides a good overview of how Neighborhood Council Meetings run and has a focus on the Scott Street Overpass closure. Because the closure affected traffic patterns throughout the area, MCTAC requested coverage of the presentation by Gregg Wood of the City Public Works Department. Gregg detailed the need and the scope of the work, the decision to perform the work in one construction season, and the steps the City would take to direct traffic around the project. Inventory 107504 82minutes.

Higgins Roundabout Missoula City Communications Director Ginny Merriam teamed up with Gregg Wood of Public Works and Sergeant Greg Amundsen, Missoula Police, to introduce the new Higgins Roundabout to Missoulians who drive, bike or walk the area of Higgins, Hill Beckwith. What’s Up Missoula? 23 minutes.

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