Staff is requesting City Council authorization to fund and begin implementation of the Teens In Action Teen Television Show Pilot Series. One of the goals of the City of Burbank is to provide, encourage and support activities that contribute to the prevention of violence, reduction of conflict and promotion of a productive and positive experience for all youth throughout the community. This program encompasses that mission and communicates the needs of youth while offering resources addressing teen issues. Staff is requesting authorization to appropriate $64,200 from the previously established youth programs holding account.

In March 2001, at the direction of the City Council and Burbank Unified School District Board, City and School District staff conducted a survey of all Burbank middle school and high school youth. At the conclusion of the survey, students were asked to describe the three most significant issues facing youth. Focus group discussions were then conducted with members of each middle school and high school with the goal of further defining these issues and beginning the solution development process. During the summer of 2001 a group of 26 dedicated students, known as Burbank Youth for Youth (BY4Y), were assembled for the purpose of developing a Youth Solution Summit. In October, a cross section of 200 students, from middle and high schools, gathered for a full day to discuss and develop potential solutions to the many youth identified issues discovered during the survey and focus group process. The product of this process has been documented in the Youth Solutions Summit Report.

With direction from the City Council, Burbank Unified School District Board, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, Park, Recreation and Community Services Board, Youth Board and Teens In Action committees, staff has now begun the process of implementing these youth identified solutions. In July of 2002, the Mayor�s Youth Task Force recommended and the Burbank Unified School District Board approved the implementation of the "Peace Colors" program at each Burbank middle school. In November of 2002, the City Council approved the recommendation from the Mayor's Youth Task Force to appropriate $150,000 from the youth programs holding account for the Middle School Grant Program. This program assisted in the funding and implementation of the Peace Colors program and related recommendations from the Youth Solutions Summit Report at each of the middle schools.

The Youth Solution Summit process identified an overwhelming need for Youth Communication and Media in Burbank. At the recommendation of the Mayor's Youth Task Force, staff is facilitating youth-directed 120-day teams focused on implementing the solutions developed during the Youth Solution Summit. These teams became known as Teens In Action. The first Teens In Action team accomplished a video documentary of the entire Youth Solution Summit process beginning with the original Democracy In Action Survey, which has already been televised on Channel 6. It is the goal of the current Teens In Action team to develop a television show that provides information to Burbank youth regarding issues defined during the Youth Solution Summit. This Teens In Action team, under the direction of the Mayor's Youth Task Force, is proposing a pilot series of five television episodes. Each episode will focus on a specific issue affecting Burbank youth and provide resources regarding those issues.

The Mayor's Youth Task Force approved the Teen Television Show- Pilot Series proposal on December 18, 2002. It is the recommendation of staff and the Mayor�s Youth Task Force that the City Council approve the one-time expenditure of $64,200 from the Non-Departmental Holding Account for implementation of the Teen Television Show- Pilot Series.

Under the recommendation of the Mayor�s Youth Task Force, with significant input from the Teens In Action teams, several alternatives were explored for producing the Teen Television Show- Pilot Series. In analyzing each alternative, the main considerations were the ability to involve youth participation, the quality of the show, and the cost effectiveness of producing such a show.

One of the alternatives was to outsource the entire production of the television show. This option has extensive costs associated with it. One production company proposed a series of three shows for $30,000 per show. These are professional companies that produce a high-quality product, and were willing to involve youth in the process. Other production companies were also considered, but youth feedback disclosed that the quality and style of the companies were undesirable by youth standards.

Staff then analyzed the alternative of producing the television show solely through the Public Information Office. This alternative allows youth involvement during every step of the process and is cost-effective. However, this alternative was deemed not feasible due to the intensive staff requirements of coordinating and producing such a television show.

Finally, staff considered a combination of outside production agencies and the City of Burbank's internal Public Information Office. This hybrid approach is more cost effective and allows for better communication among partners. Youth participation is involved at every level of production, including researching, writing, videotaping, operating audio, participating in on-camera work, editing, and evaluating the show. The capabilities of the professional production companies allow for the quality and style of show the student's have identified as imperative to reaching youth.

It is in the best interest of all youth service providers as well as their beneficiaries that a wide range of activities, opportunities, services and facilities are available which reflect the community�s demographics, groups, and cultural make-up. Presenting these programs in the format of a television show through Channel 6 enables us to reach and affect such a diverse population. In addition to creating an original television show, the Teens In Action committees are selecting existing footage of youth programs from throughout the community to air on Channel 6. Youth are also being integrated into existing programs such as Chalk Talk, the Burbank Unified School District television show, and Street Beat, the Burbank Police Department show. This strategy of implementing a variety of teen programming speaks to the diversity of youth throughout Burbank.

The Park, Recreation and Community Services Department is partnering with the Public Information Office to produce a Teen Television Show- Pilot Series of five episodes. Outside production companies are also being utilized. Each episode will focus on a particular issue affecting Burbank youth. Available resources will also be provided regarding each issue.

After an initial cost of $29,600 for a one-time equipment expenditure and $9,700 in production costs for the first episode; the cost per show significantly decreases to $6,220 per episode. The Pilot Series of five episodes will total a one-time expenditure of $64,200. The following is a description of those costs.

Total Equipment Cost $29,600

This is a one-time expenditure for equipment. This equipment will be dedicated specifically to Teen programming. After the initial one-time expenditure, the equipment can then be used and the benefits will carry over into future teen programming. Should City Council choose to fund additional programs, this equipment could be used for those programs as well.

Pilot Episode Production Cost $9,700

It is imperative that the quality of this television show mirrors the quality that Burbank teens are used to watching on a daily basis. In order to gain viewers in our target market, including the most difficult to reach students, it is essential to bring in professionals who produce high-quality, fast-paced programs. The cost for producing the Pilot Show includes production of an Opening Montage, Closing Credits, Segment Transitions, and Music designed uniquely for the Teens In Action series by experts. These are also one-time expenditures. Once these items are created, they will be duplicated for each episode of the television show.

Production Cost for Four Additional Episodes $24,900

The episodes following the initial Pilot episode will cost significantly less to produce. The cost per episode drops to $6,220 for the first four shows following the pilot episode. These four episodes will retain the quality of show without additional costs. The equipment that is purchased initially will be dedicated to these shows and the Opening Montage, Closing Credits, Segment Transitions, and Music will also be utilized during these episodes.

In-kind Contributions

The fiscal impact on the City of Burbank was of particular concern to the Park, Recreation and Community Services Board. In recognition of that concern, and as an ongoing department practice, it is the intent of staff to seek out existing resources to provide in-kind contributions. Existing City of Burbank resources that are currently being utilized include Public Information Office staff and equipment and Park, Recreation and Community Services department staff. Private businesses are making in-kind contributions as well. Earth Salt Studios, for example, is donating the recurring use of their studio at no charge. In addition, they are discounting several of their services. Mickey Corcoran Productions is also discounting their services in order to subsidize the fiscal impact on the City of Burbank.

Equipment Expenditures

The Public Information Office conducted an analysis of the benefits of renting instead of purchasing equipment. This analysis was discussed at length during the Park, Recreation, and Community Services Board meeting. The results of the analysis determined that purchasing equipment was more cost effective, even exclusively for the Teen Television Show- Pilot Series. In addition, the equipment will be more consistent, allowing the students to learn on and use the same piece of equipment each time. Purchasing the necessary equipment also promises to be more reliable and ensures that the equipment is readily available.

Staff feels that ongoing feedback from the youth is essential to the success of this program. As youth evaluate the television show and provide input, the television show will be adapted to meet the changing needs of Burbank teens. This is especially important to ensure that we are reaching the most difficult to reach youth. Evaluation methods include conducting youth focus groups throughout the community as well as soliciting feedback from the Youth Board and the Teens In Action committees.

The Teen Television Show- Pilot Series is a one-time expenditure pilot program. At the conclusion of the program, staff will conduct an evaluation and provide the City Council with recommendations. Should the City Council decide to continue this as an ongoing program, staff will develop an overview of future needs.

During the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 budget process, the City Council directed staff to establish a holding account and one-time appropriation of $500,000 for the development and implementation of youth oriented projects. The Teens In Action Television Show will expend $64,200 of the remaining $350,000 available in the General Fund Non-Departmental Holding Account 001.ND000.62970.

It is the recommendation of staff and the Mayor�s Youth Task Force that the City Council approve the one-time expenditure of $64,200 from the Non-Departmental Holding Account for implementation of the Teen Television Show- Pilot Series.

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