HomeMy WebLinkAbout5H - Cable Television Production Equipment
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
May 19, 2008
5H
Michael T. Peterson, Communications Coordinator
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NEW
PURCHASE OPTIONS FOR CABLE TELEVISION PRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT
Introduction:
On Monday, April 21 the City Council approved the purchase of cable
television production equipment to be used for cable channel PL TV-15 that
would provide improved quality and efficiencies in production time. Due to
price fluctuations in the marketplace and a recent cost-saving opportunity,
this approved request is back before the City Council for three changes.
Historv:
On Monday, April 21, the City Council authorized the expenditure of
$11,935.02 to purchase five pieces of production equipment to improve cable
television production time and the quality of the programs on PL TV-15. That
equipment included:
1) the Tricaster television unit (a keyboard, monitor, computer hard drive
and a hard shell case);
2) two digital cameras;
3) two camera tripods;
4) one audio mixer;
5) one 15" video monitor.
Since the original quotes were obtained there have been significant changes
in the marketplace. As a result, three of these items are back before the
council: The Tricaster, the digital cameras and the video monitor. There is no
requested change for the other two pieces of equipment: the tripods or the
audio mixer.
Current Circumstances
The lowest quote for the Tricaster unit, DV Gear, no longer offers the
equipment. As a result, the second lowest quote (DVS Direct) was contacted
and lowered their original bid and offered to include a larger monitor which is
now standard with the equipment. This will result in an increase of $188.48
over the originally approved purchase price of $6,139.
Since the authorization to purchase the digital cameras, staff has learned of a
new vendor, Best Price Camera.com, that sells the cameras at $1,698, which
is significantly less than the previous low quote of $3,398.00 and would result
in a cost savings of $1,700.
Finally, there is a new, more durable and less expensive 15" A V monitor on
the market that surpasses the capability of the previously quoted Panasonic
brand. The AG Neovo is tougher and offers more compatibility options and at
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.9800 I Fax 952.447.4245
ISSUES:
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
a savings of $48.41 under the previously approved purchase of $575 for a
Panasonic LCD AV Monitor. If aoor9ved. the chanaes will result in a total
cost savinas of $1.569.93.
Below are the new and previous quotes for comparison.
Tricaster Production System with keyboard, monitor and case.
DVS Direct ** $6,327.48
DV Gear 139.00
Two digital video cameras
USA Photo Nation
Best Price Camera.com
* $3,398.00
One 15" Monitor (previously Panasonic)
A V Supply (Panasonic)
B+H Photo Video Neovo 15"
* = previous quote
** = new quote
There are no other changes.
A complete breakdown of the previous costs, along with the new
savings, is calculated below. If approved, the changes will result in a
total cost savings of $1,569.93 from the total amount approved on April
21.
Total Cost
DVS Direct (Tricaster Production System, keyboard,
preview monitor w/case)
Best Price Camera.com (Two digital video cameras)
Adorama (Two Boger/Manfrotto tripods)
Full Compass Systems (Mackie 1202 audio mixer)
B+H Photo Video (AG Neovo) 15" LCD AV monitor)
$6,327.48
$1,698.00
$438.00
$271.00
$526.59
$9,261.07
$704.02
$400.00
$10,365.09
Sales Tax
Shipping (estimated)
Total
Conclusion
Changes in the market have resulted in changes in vendors and equipment. If
approved, the new request will result in better equipment and a significant
cost savings.
There are no other issues.
After this purchase, $29,059.91 would remain in the PEG account to defray
the operating costs to support PL TV-15 and produce cable television
productions.
ALTERNATIVES: 1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the purchase of this equipment.
2. Request additional information.
RECOMMENDED Alternative #1.
MOTION:
Frank BOD
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF CABLE TELEVISION PRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT
Motion By:
Second By:
WHEREAS, The City has entered into a Cable Franchise Agreement with Mediacom, Inc., for the
provision of cable television and broadband services to the Prior Lake area; and
WHEREAS, Through the franchising process, Mediacom provided $70,000 to the City to be used to
upgrade or replace cable television related equipment; and
WHEREAS, The City operates Prior Lake Television Channel 15 (PL TV 15) which is a government
access channel; and
WHEREAS, The City produces in excess of 50 cable television productions annually requiring in
excess of 7.5 hours to produce each; and
WHEREAS, Production hours can be reduced by one half or more by purchasing a Tricaster
production system including computer, hard drive, monitor, case, cameras, tripods,
audio mixer and 15" LCD monitor; and
WHEREAS, Staff has solicited and updated quotes for three of the five previously approved pieces
of equipment from at least four vendors for each piece of equipment.
WHEREAS, The quotes are as follows:
Tricaster Production System with keyboard, monitor and case.
DVS Direct ** $6,327.48
DV Gear 139.00
Two digital video cameras
USA Photo Nation
Best Price Camera.com
* $3,398.00
**
One 15" Monitor (previously Panasonic)
A V Supply (Panasonic)
B+H Photo Video Neovo 15"
* $575.00
** 526.59
* = previous quote
** = new quote
Total Cost
DVS Direct (Tricaster Production System, keyboard,
preview monitor w/case)
Best Price Camera.com (Two digital video cameras)
Adorama (Two Boger/Manfrotto tripods)
www.cityofpriorlaKe.com
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
$6,327.48
$1,698.00
$438.00
Full Compass Systems (Mackie 1202 audio mixer)
B+H Photo Video (AG Neovo) 15" LCD AV monitor)
Total
$271.00
$526.59
$9,261.07
$704.02
$400.00
$10,365.09
Sales Tax
Shipping (estimated)
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA as follows:
1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein.
2. The City Manager is authorized to purchase television equipment in an amount not to exceed
$11,000.
3. Funds for this purchase shall be drawn from Cable Franchise Fund account # 210-41340-580.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 19th DAY OF May 2008.
YES
NO
I Haugen
I Erickson
I Hedberg
I LeMair
I Millar
Hau~en
Erickson
Hedberg
LeMair
Millar
Frank Boyles, City Manager
M:\COUNCIL\RESOLUTI\2008\08-071 Cable TV Production Equipment (new).DOC