Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/02/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - Regular Minutes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission February 10, 1998 Page 1 APPROVED MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK CABLE TV ADVISORY COMMISSION FEBRUARY 10, 1998 − 7:30 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Jill Boddy, Bruce Browning, Ken Huiras, Robert Jacobson, and Anthony Raiber MEMBERS ABSENT: All were present STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator; and Rebecca Belz, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Arlen Mattern of Paragon Cable 1. Call to Order: Chair Raiber called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call: 3. Approval of Minutes of November 10, 1997: Commissioner Huiras motioned to approve the minutes of the November 10, 1997 St. Louis Park Cable TV Advisory Commission as presented. Commissioner Browning seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 4. Adoption of Agenda: Commissioner Huiras requested to add discussion regarding substantiation for adding and deleting cable channels and the status of recruiting commissioners. Commissioner Browning motioned to accept the agenda as amended. Commissioner Huiras seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 5. Communications from Paragon Cable: Mr. Mattern reported that Paragon and the City have received very few calls in spite of the recent rate increase, and commended City staff for the calls they handled. Mr. Mattern noted that the subscriber base also increased. He also said that Paragon expects to complete the Southwest Suburbs rebuild in December of 1999, with cable modem tests for internet access beginning sometime in 1998. He said that electronic payment is now available, having been introduced in the last six months. Minutes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission February 10, 1998 Page 2 6. Old Business A. Subscriber Survey Update: Reg Dunlap reported that the draft of the Ordinance approved by the Commission will be reviewed by City Council at their March 2, 1998 meeting. Changes, if Council deems necessary, will most likely be suggested at that reading. City Council will then have a second reading March 16, 1998. Paragon’s Kim Roden will be there for support and questions. Commissioners wondered if the proposed ordinance will meet the needs of the Commission. Mr. Dunlap responded by explaining that the ordinance will allow Paragon to conduct surveys once every three years and allow the City to conduct their own survey the other years as needed. This will acquire more information about technology levels in homes and programming preferences for the City’s local channels. B. Basic Cable Service for Cable TV Advisory: Mr. Dunlap reported of his research and distributed a summarization of information from various surrounding cities. It was discovered that very few cities offered cable reimbursement to their Commissioners. It was, however, reported that most cities offer reimbursement for educational events as well as provide an appreciation event. Some pay a per diem for each meeting. Mr. Dunlap gave further background information regarding the history and shared that a previous request had been eliminated from the 1997 budget. Mr. Dunlap believes the concern is substantiating the reimbursement for this Commission and not for other Commissions. He suggested the Commission forward the request to the next available City Council Study Session for discussion. He further noted that the Commission will need to substantiate the request. Commissioners agreed to forward the request to include basic cable reimbursement in the Cable TV budget to the next available City Council Study Session. C. Annual Commission Report to City Council: Chair Raiber noted that this had been included in the packet for review and solicited feedback from the Commissioners. All were in favor of forwarding the report to City Council. D. School District Auto Playback System Grant Update: Mr. Dunlap reported of a letter received from Gerald Burt requesting to purchase a total of eight machines. This was as a result of a grant given to School District #283 for a playback system. Mr. Dunlap reiterated that the District will not be reimbursed until the equipment is operable. Minutes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission February 10, 1998 Page 3 7. New Business: A. Request for Explanation of Increase: Mr. Dunlap noted the inclusion of the drafted letter to Kim Roden of Paragon Cable requesting an explanation of the recent increase. Mr. Dunlap noted that Paragon is thorough in making such calculations however, he is requesting support for the specific amount. Commissioners approved of the letter. Mr. Dunlap will mail it and report back regarding the response from Paragon. Chair Raiber inquired of Mr. Mattern whether consumers will be able to eventually choose their cable channels and in essence, create their own cable package. He reiterated the concerns documented in the complaint log as to the number of unwanted and inappropriate channels customers have. Discussion ensued in great detail regarding the aspects involved in granting such a request. Mr. Mattern responded that it would be cumbersome, costly, and mostly impossible at this point. Mattern also noted that billing and managing such a program would be confusing and unrealistic. The discussion continued regarding the technical ramifications and possibilities of enhancements that could be shared with Paragon through Mr. Mattern. B. 1998 Work Plan and Meeting Dates: The items drafted by staff were reviewed. The Commission scheduled the meetings and topics as follows: May 5, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. at the High School or City Hall and to include a box lunch. Topics will include: • Review the schools play back system − provided it is operable, and • Review any additional funding requests by the school district. • Discuss Internet communications and the Cable TV budget July 21, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall and to include snacks. Topics will include: • Paragon Annual Filings, • A follow up report regarding the Commission’s request for complimentary basic cable, • Paragon’s report regarding additional tiers of service, and • Begin discussion on the potential name change. September 22, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall and to include snacks. Topics will include: Minutes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission February 10, 1998 Page 4 • An educational report regarding the potential name change to Telecommunications Commission, and • Annual Report. December 8, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall and to include snacks. Topics will include: • Any follow up items and any new cable rates and/or changes in the channel line-up from Paragon. Commissioner Jacobson asked about the City’s server location, bandwidth and speed. Staff will research and follow up at the next meeting. Mr. Dunlap informed the Commission of the Council Chambers remodeling project scheduled for June. He noted that each Council member station will be wired for laptop usage as well as changes in lighting, microphones, presentation site, camera, office area, etc. D. Election of Officers It was moved by Commissioner Huiras to retain the current officers in their present positions for another term. This was seconded by Commissioner Browning. The motion carried unanimously. 8. Reports Commissioner Huiras questioned Mr. Mattern regarding how decisions to add or delete cable channels were made. Mr. Mattern reported that Nielsen Ratings and consumer response drive those decisions. Commissioner Huiras also questioned if there was any way to track which channels are watched most and how often. Mr. Mattern reported there is not. Paragon relies on the Nielsen Ratings and consumer response. Commissioner Huiras also expressed concern regarding recent mailings distributing stickers and the Premium Channel Guide that habitually comes late. Mr. Mattern will investigate and forward the stickers to Commissioner Huiras. Commissioner Huiras then posed the question regarding competition and wondered if there were any hindrances keeping other cable companies out of St. Louis Park. Mr. Dunlap responded that there were no deterrents other than the fact that the City is currently serviced by Paragon who has a newly upgraded 550 Mhz system available. Most companies would not choose to compete with that. 9. Communications from Chair: Minutes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission February 10, 1998 Page 5 Chair Raiber welcomed Rebecca Belz as Recording Secretary. He also thanked the Commissioners for their service over the past year and looked forward to the challenging year ahead. 10. Communications from Staff: John McHugh distributed a Community TV33/96 Programming and Activities Report for 1997 for the Commission’s review. He also highlighted various aspects of its contents and asked for questions. Commissioner Browning questioned if potential commissioners were being recruited. Mr. Dunlap responded that indeed, staff and the City were working on this. 11. Adjournment: With no other business to come before the Commission, Chair Raiber adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca L. Belz Recording Secretary ATTEST: Reg Dunlap Civic TV Coordinator City of St. Louis Park