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Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Channel 27 Operator Cries Foul
By Dan Mayfield
Journal Staff Writer
Just weeks after the mayoral election, the former administration asked for bids for a new operator to run the two community access cable stations, Channel 27 and Encantada TV, Channel 26.
The problem is, the folks who run the stations thought they'd just been awarded a contract to run the stations in May.
Quote...Unquote Inc. has run Channel 27 since 1981 and started Encantada this year to broadcast city events. The new request for proposals, or bid for a new city contract, was put out Nov. 17, and it surprised Steve Ranieri, the executive director of Quote...Unquote since 1998.
"We had no idea we were in jeopardy. We got ambushed," Ranieri said. "They put the thing out for a new RFP (request for proposal), despite the fact that our new contract just started. The contract that was given to us in May was for four years ... and then they came along with this? We have a valid contract."
New proposals to run the station are due by Dec. 16, he said.
The stations' budget is $270,000 annually.
"As to who would run it, that's one of these last-minute moves of the outgoing administration, and the new administration will have to look at it," City Council President Isaac Benton said.
City of Albuquerque Attorney Bob White said Quote...Unquote was awarded the contract but that a final contract between the two entities hasn't been signed. Instead, he said, the company has been granted a series of extensions under its old contract, which expires at the end of the year.
"No final contract was ever entered into," White said. "The message at this point is that the new administration is aware of the situation and is evaluating the status of all the (community access) channels."
A large part of the contract negotiations has involved finding a new studio space for the stations. For several years, the stations have occupied Bernalillo County's old courthouse. But the county is moving offices into the building and is evicting the stations.
"All of the changes were made in the previous administration," White said.
Ranieri said he talked with several city councilors on Thursday morning about finding a new space.
Ranieri also said that Quote...Unquote has been in talks with the city attorney's office and is prepared to file a lawsuit.
"We don't want to sue R.J. Berry. It's not his fault," Ranieri said.
Calls to a spokesman for new Mayor R.J. Berry went unreturned Tuesday. Attempts to reach former mayor Martin Chávez were unsuccessful.
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