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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/05/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 9, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. ST. LOUIS PARK CITY HALL, WESTWOOD ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Dale Hartman, Ken Huiras, Bob Jacobson, and Mary Jean Overend MEMBERS ABSENT: Rick Dworsky STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator, John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Marble, Director of Information Services; Charlie Fiss, Media Technician; Ted Pawlicki, Junior High Video Technician; and Linda Samson, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order Chair Hartman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present at roll call were Commissioners Bruce Browning, Ken Huiras, Bob Jacobson, Mary Jean Overend, and Chair Dale Hartman; St. Louis Park School District Director of Information Services Tom Marble, Media Technician Charlie Fiss, and Junior High Video Technician Ted Pawlicki; City Staff Reg Dunlap and John McHugh; and Recording Secretary Linda Samson. 3. Approval of Minutes for February 21, 2002 The minutes were approved as presented. It was moved by Commissioner Huiras, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, to approve the minutes. The motion passed 5-0. 4. Adoption of Agenda On a future agenda, Commissioner Overend would like to add a discussion regarding emails in regard to AOL/Time Warner financials, i.e., a past, current, and future overview. It was moved by Commissioner Huiras, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, to approved the agenda. The motion passed 5-0. 5. New Business A. Review School District programming reports and initial proposal for 2002 grant funds A copy of Tom Marble’s report was distributed to the Commissioners. Mr. Marble is the Director of Information Services, St. Louis Park schools. Mr. Marble was accompanied by Ted Pawlicki, junior high school video technician and Charlie Fiss, media technician. Mr. Marble remarked he would like a new computer program to replace Scala, which is used for the channel 14 videotext. He said there is exploration regarding the continuance of televising the school board meetings live when the Board moves back to their regular meeting room at the high school. Mr. Marble said the high school has equipment for one working studio, and a second working studio is in the works to better accommodate students. The two studios haven’t been used this school year since the remodeling contractors stored construction materials there. Commissioner Overend asked if the school could provide information regarding student demand for video and studio resources, and Mr. Marble and Mr. Fiss replied yes. Mr. Marble said a substantial amount of previous grant monies from the Telecommunications Commission was used at the senior high level, and that money should be dispersed throughout the district to include the junior high and elementary levels. Mr. Pawlicki said he works with technical education, three classes per day with four to six students for ten days, and the students produce a five to seven minute video. He said the gifted and talented students having been working to produce a news show by the end of the year. Mr. Marble said there is an after-school video club with seven students. Grant money has been used to purchase a higher end editing system for productions; one Final Cut Pro was also purchased for the junior and senior high schools. A Mac G4 system, 4 digital camcorders, a digital switcher and video walkman were purchased for the junior high school for about $11,000. Mr. Marble said video production is becoming pervasive for several types of class subjects, e.g., the social sciences and science classes, and there is tremendous demand pressure from teachers and students to borrow equipment; and all is on the digital format. Mr. Marble reported his direction comes from the technology advisory group at the senior high. Commissioner Jacobson asked, outside of grant activities, what value does the Telecommunications Commission have? Mr. Dunlap responded—grant administration. Mr. Fiss said the lack of programming on channel 14 has been due to his absence since last mid-November. Mr. Marble said one position operates channel 14. Commissioner Jacobson said one justification for grant money is the operation of channel 14. It was noted that a large amount of grant money has been earmarked for equipment purchases. Mr. Fiss said he will provide quarterly reports for channel 14 programming. Commissioner Jacobson asked if the school is nearly 100% MacIntosh, and Mr. Fiss replied yes for tv production equipment, and in homes it is nearly 100% PCs. Commissioner Jacobson said that is the dilemma, how do students get anything out of that? Mr. Marble said at the senior high the percentages are 50/50. Mr. Marble said 40 PCs were installed in a lab due to a foreign language learning grant. Mr. Marble confirmed an advisory group directs the activities of the media/video school district employees. Commissioner Huiras asked about the inventory lists and associated grant amounts. Mr. Marble said operating grants have been used to pay salaries of those who run channel 14 and the operations of the school district. He said technology receives some money from a levy to lease equipment, for technical support, to pay salaries, maintenance and construction, and for data networking. For the record, Commissioner Jacobson said the Telecommunications Commission wants a log of channel 14 programming. There was discussion regarding the life cycles of various equipment, junior high equipment inventory, and nonfunctional equipment. Mr. Marble confirmed that the Telecommunications Commission would like quarterly reports in advance of their meetings, and for channel 14 programming, the Telecommunications Commission would like to know: What programs were aired (w/date of premiere showing) The length of the programs From where the programs premiered, e.g., the junior high or the senior high Mr. Marble said the school district is now providing him with budgets sheets related to the grant(s). He would like to keep the technology levy and grant monies separate. Commissioner Huiras would like an inventory update. Mr. Dunlap noted that for last year the operating grant was $35,000, and the equipment grant was $15,000. It was moved by Commissioner Huiras, seconded by Commissioner Browning, to approve the operations grant for 2002 for $35,000, however, the equipment grant is to be separate. The motion passed 5-0. Commissioner Huiras mentioned his concern for losing franchising fees that pertain to the Road Runner service. Mr. Dunlap responded the cable franchise fees will rise even if Road Runner is taken out, and the anticipated dollar loss is $70,000. The issue of refunds is uncertain. Commissioner Jacobson suggested that Mr. Marble and Mr. Fiss figure out their needs for the next two years and submit a request promptly. It was moved by Commissioner Jacobson, seconded by Commissioner Huiras, to approve the proposal for equipment for $38,000. Commissioner Browning said he prefers one-half of that be allocated now and one-half later. Mr. Dunlap stated that last year’s equipment grant was $15,000. It was moved by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Overend, to amend the motion, and he would like to suggest one-half of the amount be allocated now and one- half later, contingent on the District submitting the required quarterly programming reports. The motion passed 5-0. Commissioner Jacobson withdrew his motion. B. Discussion on the School District using interns for extra experience and to accomplish District programming goals Mr. Marble said one or two high school students a year express interest in working as video aides during the school day. Mr. Marble discussed the radio station at St. Louis Park High School, and its association with the University of Minnesota. Mr. Marble and Mr. Fiss have discussed internships for high school students, and the funds to pay them would come from the operating grant. C. Telecommunications Commission Grants for specific programs Mr. Dunlap briefly discussed possible specific programs for interns. D. FCC ruling on reclassifying cable modem fees as information service Mr. Dunlap said cable modem fees were re-classified by the FCC and it will take up to 10 months for them to complete their rule-making procedure. Basically, the FCC has opened the door for cable companies to discontinue paying 5% of their franchise fee on, for example, Road Runner or other data services due to the reclassification. Mr. Dunlap said St. Louis Park will, however, continue to receive 5% of other cable services such as digital cable, standard packages, and basic services. Mr. Dunlap will distribute specific budget figures to the Commissioners. 6. Old Business A. Update: Auditing Time Warner Cable franchise fees Mr. Dunlap reported that St. Louis Park is still in the process of getting address information from Time Warner Cable. It was noted that if Time Warner Cable continues to fail to provide the appropriate information, the Telecommunications Commission may want to recommend to the City Council to find Time Warner Cable in violation of the franchise ordinance. At this time, Time Warner Cable has not indicated that there is a conflict between federal law and city ordinance. Mr. Dunlap will keep the Commissioners informed. B. Review annual Commission Report to City Council Some Telecommunications Commissioners will attend the City Council Study Session to discuss the 2002 Work Plan and its progress, various updates, and grant monies to the School District. 7. Reports Commissioner Huiras asked about Time Warner’s report regarding figures for lost and new subscribers. Discussion regarding possible reasons followed. Communications from the Chair: None 8. Communications from City Staff Mr. Dunlap said he received a letter from Time Warner Cable stating they will track cable modem revenues separately in order to account for cable modem revenues specifically for St. Louis Park. Mr. Dunlap reported Time Warner Cable customers may now email Time Warner Cable with questions regarding customer service. 9. Adjournment It was moved by Commissioner Jacobson, seconded by Commissioner Browning, to adjourn the meeting at 9:48 p.m. The motion passed 5-0. Minutes prepared by: Respectfully submitted by: Linda Samson Reg Dunlap Recording Secretary Civic TV Coordinator