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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 5.B.
For Meeting of: January 17, 2023
ITEM TITLE: Documentary series concept plan on the Yakima Police
Department
SUBMITTED BY: Robert Harrison, City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the January 3, 2023 Council meeting, staff was directed to add this topic to the next meeting
agenda.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
d agreement 1/4/2023 Corer Memo
CATEGORY Co MEDIA
Re: Category 6 Media LLC Access Agreement 2
Dear Sara Watkins,
This letter agreement ("Agreement") sets forth the terms and conditions between Category 6
Media LLC ("Producer") and the Yakima Police Department (the "Department"), in
connection with the filming and recording by Producer of the television series tentatively
known as "Untitled Yakima Public Safety Documentary" (the "Series") in and around
Yakima, Washington. The Series will focus on the work being done by both the Department
and Yakima community groups as they take on the challenges of public safety, including
issues of youth violence, drug trafficking and gang activity. The Series will feature current
investigations and ride-alongs by Production with the Department, as well as focusing on
earlier history regarding the Department and their cases. The Series will be pitched to
television networks and streamers.
In consideration of the promises and covenants set forth in this Agreement, the parties agree
as follows:
1. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date of full execution of
this Agreement and shall continue for a period of one (1) year (the "Term") from the date of
principal filming for the Series. Upon the mutual agreement of the Department and Producer,
the Term of this Agreement may be extended for two (2) additional one (1)year periods.
2. Access.
a. The Department hereby grants and shall facilitate Producer's access to the
Department generally, including, without limitation, access to the Department
premises and/or locations owned and/or controlled by the Department,
including the Yakima City Jail, so that Producer may film and record for the
Series during the Term. Furthermore, the Department grants Producer access
to Department officers, personnel, employees and agents (collectively, the
"Personnel") necessary for the Series during the Term and any extension
thereof The Department shall authorize Personnel to allow video and audio
recorded during production in all circumstances and locations related to the
Series as Producer may reasonably require to capture and document the
Department and its Personnel in the context of the Series. For the
Department's security purposes, Producer shall provide the Department with
identifying information regarding each member of the field production crew as
requested by the Department.
b. The Department agrees to provide access to Producer for a minimum of three
days in January-February 2023 to film a short development reel, which will be
used to pitch the Series to networks and streamers. Any material shot for the
development reel may be used in the Series.
c. The Department agrees to provide access to Producer starting in the spring and
summer of 2023 to permit the principal filming of the Series.
3. Producer's Obligations.
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a. Producer acknowledges and agrees that in order to protect the integrity of the
Department's work, and maintain the safety of officers and the public (inclusive of Producer's
personnel), Producer shall comply with all instructions and restrictions as directed by the
Department for purposes of the foregoing, in the Department's sole discretion, at any and all
filming locations. Any filming by Producer and the work of Producer's personnel shall not
interfere in any manner with the execution and performance of the Department's and its
Personnel's duties.
b. Producer acknowledges and agrees that it may not, during the course of
filming, put the Department to any expense it would not otherwise ordinarily incur and any
filming in connection herewith shall be done at no cost to the Department.
c. Producer shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary consents including
the written consent of Department Personnel featured in the Series, and such consent by the
Personnel is hereby expressly authorized by the Department.
4. Rights.
a. Producer intends to (i) produce footage concerning the Department and its
Personnel at work, and (ii) capture any and all footage of the Department, Department
Personnel and Department operations to produce the Series. The Department hereby agrees
and consents, and shall authorize the Department Personnel to agree and consent, to the
filming and recording of the Department, the Department Personnel and the Department
Personnel's voices and likenesses (all of the foregoing, the "Footage") and the use of the
Footage in whole or in part. The Department irrevocably grants to Producer and its licensees
and assigns, and shall authorize Department Personnel to grant to Producer and its licensees
and assigns, all rights and consents so as to permit the fullest use of the Footage or any part(s)
thereof in all media know known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. The
Department further agrees, and shall authorize the Department Personnel to agree, that the
Footage, the Department Personnel likeness(es), photograph(s) and biographical material
about the Department and Department Personnel may be used for promotional purposes
relating to the Series or Producer. Notwithstanding the expiration or termination of this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever, Producer's rights in and to the Footage as set forth
herein, and any network's or streamer's right to exploit the Footage and/or Series, shall
survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement
b. The Department agrees that, as between the Department and Producer,
Producer shall own all right,title and interest in and to the Series and all elements thereof and
relating thereto including the Footage (collectively the "Material"), and the Material will be
solely created by the undersigned as a "work made for hire"for Producer for use as part of an
audio/visual work within the meaning of U.S. Copyright Law, with Producer being deemed
the sole author, and, at all stages of completion,the sole and exclusive owner, of the Material
and of all rights of every kind or nature, whether now known or hereafter devised (including,
without limitation, all copyrights and all extensions and renewals of copyrights) in and to the
Material in perpetuity and throughout the universe and in all languages, with the right to use,
exploit and advertise the Material and the Series, in any form,matter and media, whether now
known or hereafter devised (including without limitation, home video, mobile content, and
any other digital media), without any obligation whatsoever, other than as described in this
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Agreement, to the undersigned or any person or entity claiming through or on behalf of the4
undersigned.
If, under any applicable law, the fact that the Material is a "work made for
hire" is not effective to place authorship and ownership of the Material and the Series and all
rights therein in Producer, or in the event that it is determined that the Material or any part
thereof does not constitute a "work make for hire" for Producer within the meaning of the
copyright laws of the United States, then to the fullest extent allowable and for the full term
of protection otherwise accorded to the undersigned under such applicable law, the
undersigned hereby assigns to Producer irrevocably, exclusively and perpetually all rights of
every kind in and to the Material throughout the universe and any and all of the undersigned's
right, title and interest in the Series and any other works now or hereafter created containing
the Material.
c. The Department irrevocably grants Producer the right to use the Department's
proprietary intellectual property, names,trademark(s), logos or trade names as well the names
and images of the Department (collectively, the "Department Images") in and in connection
with the Series or Producer, including for promotional purposes, as Producer may determine
in its sole discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, Producer shall have the right to use or refer
to Department Images visually and/or in dialogue as Producer shall determine in its sole
discretion.
d. As between the Department and Producer, the parties acknowledge and agree
that any and all audio and visual recordings, the Footage, the Material and any element of the
Series (all of the foregoing,the "Series Materials") shall be the sole and exclusive property of
the Producer at all times. The Department hereby acknowledges and agrees that Producer is
the sole owner of the Series Materials and at no time, past, present or future, shall the
Department have an interest in, ownership of and/or access to the Series Materials.
5. Department Review. The Department shall have the right to review a near final
version of each applicable episode of the Series for confidential, non-public investigatory,
procedural and/or operational information concerning the Department which could impair
safety or the integrity of an investigation, such as the identity of a confidential informant
("Confidential Information"). Producer shall screen a copy of the applicable Episode for
Chief Matt Murray or no more than two of his designees (the "Representative") in order to
conduct such review for Confidential Information. Due to very tight production schedules in
connection with the Series and other exigencies of production, the Department agrees to
provide any comments regarding Confidential Information to Producer within five (5)
business days of the Department's screening and review of the applicable Episode (the
"Review Period"). If Producer does not receive comments regarding Confidential Information
within the Review Period, the Footage in such Episode shall be deemed approved. If the
Representative provides timely comments pursuant to this paragraph, Producer shall
meaningfully consult with the Department and make good faith efforts to address any
revelation of Confidential Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as between Producer
and the Department, Producer shall have the absolute discretion to determine the editorial
content of the Series and each episode thereof including, but not limited to, tone, theme,
featured events and story line.
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6. Exclusivity. The Department hereby confirms that during the Term of this5
Agreement, the Department will not, prior to the first transmission of the initial Episode of
the Series featuring the Department, (i) enter into an agreement with another media company
similar to this Agreement, or (ii) extend the same level of cooperation with another media
company, in connection with and for the filming of an observational documentary program or
series that is similar in theme, style or subject matter of the Series that may be broadcast on
television. For the sake of clarity, nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Department
from participating in any other types of television program (e.g., news programs, including
local news features) that are not similar in theme, style or subject matter as the Series, or
participate in any program that would not act as a"spoiler"for the Series.
7. Representations and Warranties. The Department represents and warrants (i) it has
the right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to fulfill its obligations and
grant the rights hereunder; (ii)there is no contract with any other person, firm, corporation or
entity which will in any way interfere with the rights granted to Producer hereunder or with
the performance of the Department's obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) there are no
additional permissions necessary for the Department to be able to grant the rights or fulfill its
obligations hereunder or any such additional permissions already have been obtained by
Department.
8. Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement on thirty days written notice
to the other party in the event of a material breach of any material provision of this
Agreement, provided that, during the thirty-day period, the breaching party fails to cure such
breach.
9. Miscellaneous.
a. Producer shall be under no obligation to actually use the Footage in any
manner, including to create the Series.
b. The parties expressly agree that the relationship between them under this
Agreement is that of two principals dealing with each other as independent entities subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and that Producer is an independent journalist.
At no time, past, present or future, shall the relationship of the parties be deemed, nor is it
intended, to constitute an agency, partnership, joint venture, or collaboration for any reason
whatsoever. Neither party shall have the right, power or authority at any time to act on behalf
of, bind or represent the other party.
c. The Department acknowledges that Producer is expending monies in reliance
on this Agreement and in the event of a breach by Producer, the Department acknowledges
and agrees that the damage, if any, caused thereby will not be irreparable or otherwise
sufficient to entitle the Department to injunctive or other equitable relief; the Department's
remedy in such case being strictly limited to the right to recover damages, if any, in an action
at law.
d. Producer shall at all times defend, indemnify and hold the Department
harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses,
including reasonable outside attorney's fees (collectively, "Claims"), arising out of any
breach of any of Producer's obligations contained herein related to the development,
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production and/or exploitation of the Series; provided, however, that the foregoing defenses
and indemnification shall not apply to any Claims arising out of or resulting from: (i) any
breach of any of the Department's representations, warranties or agreements herein; or (ii)
malfeasance, misconduct, and/or negligence and/or other intentional tortious acts or
omissions committed by the Department and/or any of the Department's respective agents,
employees, guests or invitees.
e. The Department shall not at any time issue, authorize or participate in any
news story, magazine article or other publicity or information of any kind relating to the
Series or Producer, or disclose any confidential information of Producer's without Producer's
written consent in each instance. Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of
doubt, this paragraph shall not prevent the Department from releasing to the press and/or local
news any information regarding a case that is featured in or relates to the Series. Except for
disclosure by Producer to a third party network or streamer and in connection with the
exploitation of the Series, the parties agree that this Agreement is confidential and that they
may not disclose the contents to any third party apart from their professional advisors or as
may be required by law.
f. Producer may assign any and all rights granted under this Agreement
including, without limitation,to a network or streamer.
g. Any notice sent pursuant to this Agreement shall be made via email, with a
copy sent by overnight express service to:
David Seiden—EVP & Deputy General Counsel
A+E Networks
235 E. 45th St.
New York,NY 10017
Sara Watkins
City Attorney
City of Yakima
129 North 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901
h. If any term or provision hereof is held invalid or unenforceable by a court,
such invalidity shall not affect the validity or operation of any other term or provision of the
Agreement, and such invalid term or provision shall be deemed to have been severed from the
Agreement.
i. This Agreement represents a complete and binding contract between the
parties hereto, superseding any prior agreements, negotiations or understandings (written or
oral) between them and may not be amended or otherwise changed expect by a written
instrument signed by both Producer and the Department. The rights granted herein shall inure
to the benefit of Producer, its licensees, successors and assigns. This Agreement is subject to
and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Washington without reference to its choice of law provisions.
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If the foregoing conforms to your understanding of the Agreement, please sign in the7
space provided below. Upon full execution thereof, this Agreement shall be binding.
AGREED AND ACCEPTED
Yakima Police Department Category 6 Media LLC
By: By:
Its: Its:
Date: Date:
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