Torrance

The City Council postponed until Oct. 15 the establishment of a foundation to administer public-access money and programming on cable television.

Councilwoman Katy Geissert had proposed adopting the city staff recommendation to establish an interim board of directors composed of the city librarian, the director of finance, the director of parks and recreation, the Group W Cable general manager and a resident. She was also in favor of creating a citizens’ advisory committee to make recommendations to the board.

But Councilman Dan Walker said the city should investigate having the City Council sit as the foundation’s board of directors. Mayor Jim Armstrong and Councilmen Mark Wirth and Tim Mock voted with Walker.

In the 1982 franchise agreement signed by Group W Cable and the city, Group W agreed to donate 3% of its annual gross revenues, or about $340,000, for a public-access foundation to distribute funds and oversee public-access policies and schedule channels, facilities and equipment.

As part of that agreement, Group W has already provided $1.7 million in grants for equipment and facilities to the city, the Torrance Unified School District and local colleges, hospitals and community service agencies.

The agreement also specifically precludes the City Council from sitting as the foundation’s board, but Group W officials said Tuesday they would consider amending the agreement.