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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/01/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - Regular Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission January 28, 1999 Page 1 APPROVED NOTES OF THE ST. LOUIS PARK CABLE TV ADVISORY COMMISSION JANUARY 28, 1999 - 6:30 P.M. ST. LOUIS PARK CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Ken Huiras and Mary Jean Overend MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert Jacobson STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator; and Shirley Olson, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order: Vice Chair Huiras called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Vice Chair Huiras requested roll be called. Robert Jacobson was absent. Vice Chair Huiras acknowledged for the record that there was no voting quorum in attendance. 3. Approval of Minutes of December 8, 1998: Vice Chair Huiras reported no vote would be taken due to the lack of quorum. 4. Adoption of Agenda: Vice Chair Huiras reported no vote would be taken due to the lack of quorum. No changes were noted. 5. Old Business: A. School District Funding for 1999 Mr. Dunlap presented School District funding background for 1999. He reviewed Email from Carolyn Charles and suggested that a plan for the old equipment to non-public schools needed to be clarified, since the conditions and requirements, and how many non-public schools interested in the equipment were unknown. Mr. Dunlap presented a draft agreement proposal with the School District developed by John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator to loan camcorders and accessories to non-public schools willing to commit to producing a certain number of shows. Ms. Overend asked if it was possible for the older equipment to be used for marketing by non-public schools. Mr. McHugh stated that programming could describe school and programs available, but could not be used for fund raising or advertising tuition rates. Mr. Browning asked what the Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission January 28, 1999 Page 2 minimum hours of programming that would be required. Mr. McHugh stated that a requirement would be developed. The Commission members present believed the language of the draft proposal was adequate and were in favor of the $7,500 camcorder grant. Vice Chair Huiras reported no vote on this issue would be taken due to the lack of quorum and tabled discussion until next meeting. The Commission discussed ideas about how to take vote on agenda item discussed when no quorum present to expedite action to be taken. Staff recommended scheduling a special meeting to vote on specific issue. The Commission asked Staff to investigate the possibility of voting by e-mail or proxy which may require a change the bylaws. B. Name change to Telecommunications Commission Vice Chair Huiras tabled this discussion due to lack of quorum. Ms. Overend reported on a recent TV program she watched that involved the future of technology. This information supported the need for community flexibility and planning in the use of technology and therefore was in favor of the name change. C. Vocational Schools audio/video equipment maintenance practices Mr. Browning briefly commented on the current practices of vocational schools. D. Paragon Rates Update The Commission reviewed the Paragon rates. Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator explained the specifics of the $1.78 increase for standard service for residents as compared to other communities. He noted that a Y2K compliance letter had been requested by Clint Pires, Deputy City Manager from Mr. Knighton, Division President of Paragon Cable. The Commission reviewed the letter from Wayne Knighton, re: Paragon receipt of the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) customer service award and questioned its validity since there was no independently confirmed report or claims. Commissioner Huiras said that he has at least twice called Paragon between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. after brief outages, and that the phone would ring repeatedly with no answer. The Commission reviewed and discussed Paragon complaints, received by City staff. 6. New Business: A. Election of Officers for 1999 Vice Chair Huiras tabled this discussion due to lack of quorum. Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission January 28, 1999 Page 3 B. Set meeting schedule for 1999 The Commission reviewed and approved draft of meeting schedule for 1999 with the addition of a special meeting with quorum present to vote on pending issues. C. Work Plan for 1999 The Commissioners reviewed the draft of the 1999 Cable TV Commission Work Plan and recommended adding an agenda item to proposed April meeting to discuss development of a Needs Assessment for the community to reveal new business and commercial prospects to produce additional revenue streams. The Commission also discussed future negotiations of St. Louis Park upgrade to 750 MHz, cable modem and internet access. D. Discuss Internet Communications and Cable TV budget Mr. McHugh reported that the St. Louis Park web site would be updated in the future to become more interactive and provide an applicable way to link e-mail and would be called www.stlouispark.org. He asked Commissioners for their input and ideas. The Commissioners believed that web site should be attractive and provide more disclosure of City government to the community. The Commissioners recommended video streaming and examining other cities who have been successful such as Northfield and Alexandria. E. Matching funding concept with School District The Commissioners were in favor of the idea to match funds for capital improvements. Vice Chair Huiras tabled this discussion due to lack of quorum. 7. Reports: None 8. Communications from the Chair: None 9. Communications from City Staff: Mr. Dunlap indicated that the Community Meeting held on Wednesday, January 20th regarding the recent release of a sex offender into the community would be cablecast on Civic Channel 35 on Friday February 5th at 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 6th at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Dunlap addressed The Commission about the recruiting process of additional Commissioners. The Commission recommended recruitment of a high school student, and other Commissioners through target mailings, neighborhood groups, and letter to past Commissioners. The Commission also discussed being pro-active with technology to provide additional flexibility by using video or telephone conferencing and recommended changing bylaws from requirement of quorum to simple majority. Mr. Dunlap will consult City Administration as to this possibility in the future. Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission January 28, 1999 Page 4 Mr. Dunlap also asked the Commissioners if franchise funds were allocated to the School District to buy equipment, does the Commission want the School District to keep track that those particular units were paid for with franchise fee money? The Commission concurred that this should be documented. 10. Adjournment: With no other discussion to come before the members, discussion was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Shirley J. Olson Recording Secretary Prepared by: Shirley Olson ATTEST: Reg Dunlap Civic TV Coordinator City of St. Louis Park