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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/02/29 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 29, 2012 ST. LOUIS PARK COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, Toby Keeler (via Skype, after item 6B.) and Bill Theobald MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Rolf Peterson STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator 1. Call to Order Acting Chair Theobald called the meeting to order at 7:12 PM. 2. Roll Call Present at roll call were Commissioners Browning, Dworsky, Hartman, Keeler (after item 6B) and Theobald. 3. Approval of Minutes for December 15, 2011 It was moved by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Dworsky, to approve the minutes of December, 2011. The motion passed 3-0-1 (Vice Chair Theobald abstained). 4. Adoption of Agenda It was moved by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Dworsky, to approve the agenda. The motion passed 4-0. 5. Public Comment - None 6. New Business A. Elect Vice Chair for 2012 Nominations were called three times for Vice Chair. Commissioner Browning made a motion to nominate Bill Theobald as Vice Chair, Commissioner Dworsky seconded. The motion passed 4-0. B. Review budget for 2011 and 2012 Mr. Dunlap reviewed the budget memo in packet and noted that the City budget process is starting for the following year. The memo did not include a 2011 year to date summary, but it could be available at the next meeting. Vice Chair Theobald asked if City Council needed the Commission to do anything? Mr. Dunlap replied no, the budget was provided for information purposes at the request of a Commissioner. The budget is usually put together in June and he can get Commission input then. C. Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) background and options Mr. Dunlap reported that both bills were derailed by vast public outcry. Many people feel something needed to be done regarding copyright violations and on-line piracy. The bills will be re-visited at a later date. D. Review survey questions for Fiber optic study Mr. Dunlap said that the business survey has been mailed and they hope for a great response from businesses. He will update the Commission at a future meeting, perhaps in August. Commissioner Browning stated the questions were very well put together and hoped they got good information. Mr. Dunlap indicated the City had done this type of survey before regarding WiFi. E. Grand Stadium review Commissioner Browning stated he didn’t see a need to be concerned with this right now and suggested tabling to next year and they could take another look if needed. Mr. McHugh noted that it should be discussed before the sports season started. Vice Chair Theobald and Commissioner Keeler agreed discussion could be tabled until August because there was not a lot to be gained right now. 7. Unfinished Business - None 8. Reports A. Complaints Commissioner Dworsky asked if the complaint had been resolved about Turner Classic Movies (TCM) channel being moved to a more expensive tier, and the customer not realizing they needed a digital box. Mr. Dunlap said that the Escalation team response was that a credit had been applied to the account and that the customer considered the problem resolved. Commissioner Dworsky said Comcast uses Email for marketing video on demand (VOD) and other new products. Commissioner Browning said people get so much marketing information, they might miss it and then have to pay more. Commissioner Dworsky hadn’t seen information on Email from them regarding price increases, and suggested Comcast start using Email for price notices. Of the current and new prices listed, the largest increase was on the basic digital package (16%). Commissioner Keeler asked if it was possible to put price increase notices on the St. Louis Park web site? Mr. Dunlap replied that was a good idea. There is a section with channel line-ups and a price list where it could be added. Commissioner Browning noted that the City and Commission don’t have a way to regulate prices and could only have Comcast live up to the franchise agreement. 9. Communication from the Chair - None 10. Communications from City Staff Mr. Dunlap asked for a volunteer to serve on a City Board to evaluate nominees for the Outstanding Citizen Award process, which recognizes volunteers in the community. Mr. McHugh distributed the final summary of Community TV programs in 2011. He and Scott Smith produced 265 programs, and a significant number were school performance events (isd283.tumblr.com, lists performances). He said that Comcast announced prices increases starting 4/1/12 and basic cable is going up 9% and that Comcast is also removing music choice channels. The Commission should consider asking why they were removing channels when there was a price increase. Mr. Dunlap said if Commissioners have questions for Comcast, he is putting together a letter and will include their questions. Commissioner Browning asked to have this put on the next agenda and for Comcast to have a representative invited to the meeting. 11. Adjournment Commissioner Browning made a motion, Commission Hartman seconded to adjourn at 7:45. The motion passed 5-0. Respectfully submitted by: Amy L. Stegora-Peterson Recording Secretary