HomeMy WebLinkAboutD-1 Staff Report - Use of Azusa Auditorium for AUSD Board MeetingsSCHEDULED ITEM
D-1
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: TROY L. BUTZLAFF, ICMA-CM, CITY MANAGER
FROM: LOUIE F. LACASELLA, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: MAY 1, 2017
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE USE OF THE AZUSA AUDITORIUM BY THE
AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FACILITATE THE AIRING OF SCHOOL
BOARD MEETINGS ON THE CITY’S GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL
SUMMARY:
Over the past several years the City’s Auditorium has been used by the Chamber of Commerce, in
conjunction with the League of Women’s Voters, for candidates’ forums for the General Municipal
Election. In addition, the Auditorium has been used by various groups for a wide array of educational
and informational purposes. At the April 3, 2016 City Council meeting, Councilmember Robert
Gonzales requested that Staff look into the possibility of allowing the Azusa Unified School District to
hold their board meetings at the City’s Auditorium so these meetings could be televised on the City’s
Government Access Channel. The recommended action is for the City Council to discuss the matter and
provide any necessary direction to Staff.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1) Discuss and provide direction to Staff as necessary.
DISCUSSION:
Several cities throughout Southern California allow their respective school districts to use their Council
Chambers for their school board meetings. These cities include: Hermosa Beach, Simi Valley and
Ventura. Some of these same cities televise the school district meetings on their government access
channels.
The Azusa Unified School District Board of Education usually meets the first and third Tuesday of each
month in the Board Room at the District’s Administration Center, located at 546 South Citrus Avenue in
Azusa. Meetings begin with a closed session or an open work study session. Regular agenda items are
considered at 7:00 p.m. Currently, the School District does not televise their board meetings.
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
5/1/2017
Council directed Staff to send a
letter to the School District
Azusa Unified School District Board Meetings
May 1, 2017
Page 2
At the April 3, 2016 City Council meeting Council Member Gonzales requested that Staff look into the
possibility of allowing the Azusa Unified School District to hold their Board meetings at the Cit y’s
Auditorium so these meetings could be televised on the City’s Government Access Channel.
The City has allowed the Auditorium to be used by a number of outside groups in the past. The
Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women’s Voters use the Audito rium to host a candidates’
forum prior to the General Municipal Election. Several other governmental agencies and non -profit
groups have used the Auditorium for information and educational meetings. Per the City’s Resolution
of Fees and Charges, the cost for use of the auditorium is $100 per hour after 4:00 p.m. The cost to have
the City’s contracted video technician record and televise the meeting is $125.00 per meeting.
As part of the California Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 (“DIVCA”), the City
receives public, educational, or governmental ("PEG") fees from local cable TV franchise holders. The
revenue from this fee can be used to cover costs associated with PEG access. On average, the City
receives approximately $45,000 per year in PEG fee revenue from both franchise holders. If the intent
is to televise school board meetings to be aired on the City’s Government Access Channel, the City
Council could justify the use of PEG funds to offset the costs associated with the school district’s use of
the Auditorium.
The Auditorium is currently not used for any City meetings on Tuesdays. The only exception to this is
when a City Council meeting falls on a designated holiday, the City Council then holds its meeting on
Tuesday. If this were to occur, the City Council meeting would conflict with the school district’s
meeting schedule.
Staff is presenting this item to the City Council for discussion and possible direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved:
Louie F. Lacasella Troy L. Butzlaff, ICMA-CM
Management Analyst City Manager
Attachments:
1) Azusa Unified School District Board Meeting Dates 2016-2017
July 12 Governance Workshop January 17 Classified Employee of the
Year at Gladstone St. School
*January 24 Study Session-LCFF &
LCAP/Bd Mtg
August 2 February 7 Ellington School
August 16 February 21 Board Meeting/Study Session
September 6 March 7 Magnolia School
September 20 Foothill MS
September 21 Study Session-Kitchen Visits March 20 Board Meeting/Study Session
September 28 Study Session-IBB
October 4 April 4 Board Meeting
April 10 Governance Workshop
October 18 Center MS April 18 Lee School
October 25 Governance Workshop
November 1 Slauson MS May 2 Teacher of the Year at
Gladstone St. School
November 15 Study Session-Facilities/Bd
Mtg, 9am-12pm
May 16 Powell School-Parent of the
Year
*December 8 Board Meeting *June 13
December 12 June 20
Approved: May 3, 2016
Revised: February 7, 2017
Governance workshops begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be located at AHS SPA.
AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
2016-2017
BOARD MEETING DATES
This year several meetings will be scheduled and hosted at school sites. This information will be posted with
the regular agenda. All other meetings will remain at the District Office Board Room unless otherwise
posted.
(*) Indicates an alternate day, other than the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, due to vacation schedules and calendar
conflicts.
ATTACHMENT 1