FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 2022
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: RETIREMENT RESOLUTION FOR ALAN SUTTERFIELD
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution honoring and commending Alan Sutterfield for his 16 years of dedicated public service to the City of Santa Maria and congratulating him on his upcoming retirement.
BACKGROUND:
Alan Sutterfield began his employment with the City of Santa Maria on April 3, 2006, as the full-time Public, Education, and Government (PEG) Station Manager in the City Manager's Office. In December 2018, his title changed to the part-time PEG Production Manager. His City career followed 16 years working in commercial and non-profit television in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Alan managed the PEG operation and conceived its rebranding from Television Access Partners to Santa Maria Community Television (SMCTV). He managed the live and recorded programming on its three channels (25-24-23) on Comcast Cable, one each designated for Public, Education, and Government. SMCTV offers community members, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and the local government the tools to produce their programs for airing. Alan trained anyone interested in making public access television.
Over the years, he adapted to the evolving technologies of, television production, from video tape to memory chips, and from cumbersome tape -to -tape editing to non-linear digital editing platforms. While dozens of other community television media centers up and down California closed in the early 2000s, he and the City persevered.
Noteworthy projects included introducing web streaming in 2017 and spearheading the creation of the ad -hoc Friends of Santa Maria Community Television; then in 2019 upgrading video server equipment to bring the Media Center into the modern era, leaving tapes and DVDs behind. Now, MP4 program files can be submitted online with programming available by web stream 24 -hours a day, 7 -days a week, including limited video on -demand capability.
Alan ensured that hundreds of City public meetings were televised on Channel 23 and/or available on YouTube to the community, including City Council, Planning Commission, and Recreation and Parks Commission meetings, as well as off -site redistricting forums.
Alan also coordinated videos of the annual State of the City presentations and generated more than 100 public service announcements to inform residents about City services and programs.
Alan's advocacy of public access television, proficiency in customer service, and industry awareness was reassuring for the SMCTV membership and its Board of Directors. He kept all apprised of regulatory issues and developments affecting the channels and funding, through public membership forums that were of course televised on Channel 23.
Alan will be retiring on August 18th, to pursue recreational opportunities, continue his involvement as a director and actor in local community theater circles, and spend more time with his family. City staff would like to commend him for his dedication and commitment to the City of Santa Maria, and wish him well in all his future endeavors.
MARK VAN DE MP
Public Information Manager
JASON STILWELL
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2022 —83
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA, COMMENDING ALAN SUTTERFIELD FOR HIS 16 YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC
SERVICE TO THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA AND CONGRATULATING HIM ON
HIS RETIREMENT
WHEREAS, Alan Sutterfield has been a valuable member of the City team since 2006; and
WHEREAS, with over 16 years of service in the City Manager's Office, Alan was instrumental in managing Santa Maria Community Television. These are the Public, Education, and Government (PEG) access Comcast channels 25, 24, and 23 that have improved the quality of life for the community of Santa Maria in positive ways; and WHEREAS, during his tenure, Alan adapted to evolving technologies of television production, introducing web streaming, and upgrading equipment to enable more efficiencies in service delivery; and
WHEREAS, Alan has ensured that hundreds of City public meetings were televised and/or live streamed for the community's benefit, and further, generated more than 100 public service announcements to inform residents about City services and programs; and WHEREAS, Alan's advocacy of public access television, proficiency in customer service, and industry awareness were a valuable resource for the City and its PEG user community; and
WHEREAS, Alan will retire on August 18, 2022. The Santa Maria City Council wishes to recognize Alan for his lasting contributions to the community.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, as follows:
ALAN SUTTERFIELD
is hereby recognized and commended for his dedicated service and significant contributions to the Santa Maria community, and we wish him and his family well in all their future endeavors.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, held this 16th day of August 2022.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Department irector
City (vlanager