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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/05/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularUNOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF May 15, 2008 ST. LOUIS PARK COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Rick Dworsky, David Dyer, Dale Hartman, Toby Keeler and Kirk Morrow MEMBERS ABSENT: Bruce Browning, Bob Jacobson and Rolf Peterson STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator OTHERS PRESENT: Arlen Mattern, Comcast Cable Public Affairs Administrator; Tom Marble, Director of Information Service, School District 1. Call to Order Acting Chair Dworsky called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM. 2. Roll Call Present at roll call were Commissioners Dworsky, Dyer, Hartman, Keeler and Morrow. 3. Approval of Minutes for February 21, 2008 It was moved by Commissioner Keeler, seconded by Commissioner Dyer, to approve the minutes of February 21, 2008. The motion passed 5-0. 4. Adoption of Agenda It was moved by Commissioner Dyer, seconded by Commissioner Keeler, to approve the agenda. The motion passed 5-0. 5. Public Comment - None 6. New Business A. School District Quarterly Report Tom Marble, Director of Information Services for the School District, presented the quarterly report to the Commission. 2007/08 grant money went for the Junior High Video Club and to fund equipment. They plan to increase participation for the upcoming year. The 2008/09 proposal is $35,000 for operating expenses and an equipment grant of $10,000. They plan to: Expand work with the City and use of the High School studio and streaming channel 14 live; Work on IPTV and VOIP; and, new classes for video production at the High School. Commissioner Dyer asked what would happen to the old computers? Mr. Marble replied they would be for general use. Mr. McHugh asked how many digital editing stations there were? Mr. Marble replied the four they purchased in 2000. The two new computers would be for the main use depending on the program, and the other four would be for more basic programs. Commissioner Keeler asked if they need three computers? Mr. Marble replied he was unsure what to ask for and was being conservative. These computers were a little more expensive with the extra equipment. Commissioner Keeler asked staff how much money was available for equipment? Mr. Dunlap replied equipment was $0-24,000 and the operating grant was $35,000. Acting Chair Dworsky asked what the Commission needed to do? Mr. Dunlap replied they should consider if the money granted would result in programming on Channel 14. Do they expect the programs produced by students to be shown on cable TV? Mr. Marble replied yes. He talked with the IB teacher and discussed producing programs for Channel 14. They use it for public relations and to present events from the district. B. School District funding for 2008 It was moved by Commissioner Dyer, seconded by Commissioner Keeler, to approve $35,000 for operating expenses, $10,000 for equipment (4-mini DV camcorders, 4-tripods, 5-DVR/DVD recorders and 2- video editing computers), $4,000 to support the Junior High Video Club and $3,000 for an additional video editing computer. The motion passed 5-0. C. Update on WiFi hot spots Subcommittee Mr. McHugh reported at the joint meeting with the City Council, Council approved the concept of the Commission working with City staff to have WiFi hot spots added in the City. He needed to discuss this with Clint Pires and hoped to start meeting in May or June to move forward and plan or implement this by fall. He would notify sub committee members about scheduling a meeting. 7. Unfinished Business A. Update on fiber optics ordinance Mr. Dunlap stated he needed to speak with Mr. Pires on how to proceed on gathering more information. City Council requested addressing this at study session. Staff will be reporting whether to do a franchise fee audit. He would keep the Commission updated. San Francisco did a feasibility study in 2000, which would be relevant. The vast majority of case studies refer to cities building their own fiber optic infrastructure. He would send the study to Commissioners. Acting Chair Dworsky indicated Commissioners could also help with research. B. Review franchise fee audit request for proposal Mr. Dunlap indicated Commissioners had requested staff research moving forward with an audit. He contacted other cities doing an audit and is considering working with them, which was more convenient and less expensive. An RFP had gone out and was due on May 27th. The cost ranged from $4,000 (less extensive) to $12,000. The City is not tied to the company selected through the RFP process. City Council will have final approval on the process. The Commission can discuss this further at a study session. 8. Reports A. Complaints Mr. Mattern, Comcast, stated they had new additions since the last meeting and described the “50 by 5” program, which would provide increased speeds and cost $149.95 for residential users and $199.95 for businesses. Comcast had also invested in Wimax, high- speed mobile broadband over long distances. Commissioner Keeler noted there were more complaints this time period and it appeared the front line response from service reps did not seem helpful. Mr. Dunlap noted many times if people didn’t get the right answer they would call him. He tries to answer the question or will refer the customer to the escalation team who had done a good job. It was possibly a longer reporting period as well. Mr. Mattern added that new rates also generate more calls. Mr. McHugh stated complaint #18 had been resolved. B. 2008 Web streaming statistics Mr. Dunlap indicated there had been a consistent number of hits, 4,000 from January through April 2008. Channel 15 was the leader with the most hits from live stream. Viewers were finding what they were looking for. 9. Communication from the Chair Acting Chair Dworsky asked about the meeting in July? Mr. Dunlap replied they would plan to meet and he would confirm in the weeks prior. They may do a study session instead with City Council. 10. Communications from City Staff Mr. Dunlap commented on a DTV ad in the Star Tribune that was deceiving. Residents can receive a $40 coupon to be used toward a digital tuner. 11. Adjournment Commissioner Dyer made a motion, Commission Keeler seconded to adjourn at 8:02. The motion passed. Respectfully submitted by: Amy L. Stegora-Peterson Recording Secretary