HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/05/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - Regular Minutes of the Telecommunications Advisory Commission
May 18, 2000
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OFFICIAL MINUTES
ST. LOUIS PARK CABLE TV ADVISORY COMMISSION
MAY 18, 2000 --7:00 P.M.
ST. LOUIS PARK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, ROOM A204
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Herbert, Dale Hartman, Ken Huiras,
Mary Jean Overend arrived at 7:06 p.m.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Robert Jacobson
STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community
TV Coordinator; and Shirley Olson, Recording Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT: Arlen Mattern, Time Warner Public Affairs Administrator; Tom
Marble, School District Technology Coordinator and Charlie Fiss,
St. Louis Park High School Staff.
1. Call to Order:
Chair Huiras called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. without a quorum.
2. Roll Call:
Commissioners John Herbert, Dale Hartman and Ken Huiras were present.
3. Approval of Minutes:
Because there was not a quorum present, the Minutes for April 13, 2000 meeting were not
approved.
4. Adoption of Agenda:
Chair Huiras recommended that the agenda be adopted. The Commission concurred.
5. New Business
a. School District funding for 2000
Tom Marble, School District Technology Coordinator, explained the equipment that was
purchased by last year’s grant. He stated that 9 Sharp digital video camcorders, 4 tripods and 9
padded cases were recently purchased. He stated that the goal was to develop three identical
editing suites for media production and video editing courses given at the St. Louis Park High
School.
Mr. Marble explained the current courses available and how the equipment was being utilized.
He explained that the students needed to work on simplistic editing and although staff turnover
has been a challenge, staff was continuing to work on developing curriculum and courses. He
noted that Profiles of Learning will also influence this process.
Minutes of the Telecommunications Advisory Commission
May 18, 2000
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Charlie Fiss said that MPEG was selected for the non-linear editing stations because it is a
universal standard and the Macintosh computers are still ahead of PC’s regarding graphics. He
said the non-linear edit stations were needed in the fall, and that I-Movie would be used in the
introductory classes and that Final Cut Pro would be used for the advanced classes. Regarding
class equipment uses, Mr. Fiss said there were 500 requests for the 8 camcorders available
during this school year.
John Herbert asked how much one edit station would cost, and Mr. Marble estimated $3,500.
Mr. Marble said that he wanted to bring back Park Ways, formerly a monthly news show, and
involve classes in the production of the High School Video Yearbook as a collaborative effort.
He said the video class instructor would be leaving at the end of this school year, and that it was
a challenge to find a licensed teacher for this position because it is only 3 hours per day, not a
full day, and the teacher must teach another subject.
Mary Jean Overend asked if there was a mission statement for the classes, and Mr. Marble said
it has been discussed with the Principle (Bob Laney) and would be considered again later. Ms.
Overend asked about the future of teaching technology, like Palm Pilots, scanning and wireless
devices. Mr. Marble said the lines are becoming blurred, and that Media Production is part of
the English Department.
Mr. Hartman suggested that the School District develop a list of priorities of what equipment
and staff was needed and the estimated cost.
Chair Huiras suggested that a list of the amount of funds already given and what it has been
used for be developed and a list of programs produced by Channel 32. He asked if any of the
funding that was passed by the recent referendum would be utilized for School District’s use for
updating equipment.
Mr. Marble explained that those funds would not be available for video production equipment
since it has already been allocated for other technical updates throughout the district, like wiring
Lenox and Central community centers.
The Commission recessed and took a tour of the editing and video production suites on site at
the Senior High School.
b. Review of competitive cable franchising process
John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator explained that two companies, Wide Open West
and Everest, had notified the City of their interest in negotiating franchises to provide video and
data services in St. Louis Park. He stated that staff would review the proposals to determine the
feasibility. He noted that the City Council was scheduled to discuss the issue at a study Session
on Money, June 12th.
c. Legislative update -- discuss future invitation to Senator Kelly
Minutes of the Telecommunications Advisory Commission
May 18, 2000
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Reg Dunlap described the process MACTA was using to develop an alternative bill this
summer, and recommended that the Commission meet with Senator Kelley later this year. The
Commission agreed.
6. Old Business
a. Update on AOL Time Warner approval
Reg Dunlap stated that the transfer was approved by the City Council and that a notice letter
was sent to AOL Time Warner.
b. Needs Assessment update
John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator reported that the Needs Assessment Survey was
being conducted at the present time.
7. Reports: None
8. Communications from the Vice Chair: None
9. Communications from City Staff:
Reg Dunlap stated that the next Cable TV Advisory Commission meeting was scheduled for
Thursday, July 20th.
10. Adjournment
With no other business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Mary Jean Overend,
seconded by Dale Hartman to adjourn at 9:24p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shirley Olson
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Reg Dunlap
Civic TV Coordinator
City of St. Louis Park