Agenda Item: 7
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 14, 2026
SUBJECT: SANTA CLARITA PUBLIC TELEVISION AUTHORITY PUBLIC
TELEVISION MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: McKenzie Bright
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Authorize funding for a two-year Public Television Management Services Agreement with SCVTV for the ongoing management and programming of Charter Communications Operating, LLC, and AT&T for playback, programming, and production studio operations from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, in the amount not to exceed $355,422 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 and authorize a Consumer Price Index adjustment to the General Fund- funded portion of the amount for FY 2027-28.
2. Appropriate ongoing funds in the amount of $6,422 in FY 2026-27 from the General Fund (Fund 100) to Expenditure Account 1001501-701008 (Public Television-Other Financing Uses) and one-time funds in the amount of $30,000 for FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 from the Citrus Facility Fund (Fund 130) to Expenditure Account 1309008-701008 (Citrus Facility-Other Financing Uses).
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the City Council in the annual budget for such fiscal year and execute all documents subject to City Attorney review.
BACKGROUND
Since 2009, the Santa Clarita Public Television Authority (SCPTA) has contracted with SCVTV to manage day-to-day operations of public television in the City Santa Clarita (City). SCVTV has been selected as the preferred contractor through both Request for Proposal solicitations and direct negotiations.
SCVTV is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides television, webcasting, podcasting, and new media services for the local public, nonprofit agencies, and government institutions. SCVTV provides 24/7 community programming to Santa Clarita Valley households via Charter Spectrum Communications channel 20, AT&T channel 99, SCVTV.com, and various internet and social media websites, such as YouTube and Facebook.
On May 28, 2024, SCPTA approved a two-year Public Television Management Services Agreement with SCVTV to continue operating Santa Clarita’s public television studio. The term of that agreement was July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.
On June 24, 2026, the SCPTA Board approved the proposed two-year contract with SCVTV, subject to the approval and allocation of funds by the City Council.
Under the proposed agreement, SCVTV would be required to continue managing the City’s public television studio, inclusive of playback, programming, and production studio operations.
Further, SCVTV will be responsible for creating and airing original programming throughout the year that benefits the community, including, but not limited to:
• Communities Magazine and Event Coverage - Regularly produce “SCVTV’s Community Corner” or a similar program which supports the communication efforts of schools and civic agencies, and provide them with an opportunity to communicate directly with our residents about their services and needs. Additionally, provide coverage of a minimum of eight community events.
• Humanities Programing - Programs about the Santa Clarita Valley, its history, and culture. This may include programs about the history, film, music, and the arts. SCVTV is prepared to work with the SCPTA and City Communications Division to solicit feedback about which of these programs and subjects the community values most.
The agreement outlines responsibilities retained by SCVTV for the administration of the Fourth of July Parade. On May 12, 2026, the Santa Clarita City Council approved the transfer of responsibility for the Parade from SCVTV to the City, with SCVTV retaining responsibility to determine the line-up order, designate the grand and division marshals, develop the script for the television broadcast, and administer the judging process This proposed agreement recommends a total contract amount of $355,422 in Year 1 and increasing the General Fund portion in Year 2 by the April 2027 Consumer Price Index (CPI), All Urban Consumers, for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Area.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the recommended actions, adequate funds in the amount of $355,422 ($175,422 General Fund, $150,000 Public Access, Educational, and Government Fund, $30,000
Citrus Fund) will be available in FY 2026-27. FY 2027-28 funds are contingent upon approval by the City Council during the annual budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
SCPTA Agreement with SCVTV (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)