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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/05/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 9, 2012 ST. LOUIS PARK COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, Cindy Hoffman, Rolf Peterson, and Bill Theobald MEMBERS ABSENT: Toby Keeler STAFF PRESENT: Clint Pires, Chief Information Officer; Jamie Zwilling, Communications Coordinator; Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator OTHERS PRESENT: Joanne Hovis, President, Columbia Telecommunications Corporation 1. Call to Order Chair Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 2. Roll Call Present at roll call were Commissioners Browning, Hartman, Hoffman, Peterson and Theobald. Commissioner Dworsky arrived at 7:12. 3. Approval of Minutes for February 29, 2012 It was moved by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Hartman, to approve the minutes of February 29, 2012, without changes. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Peterson abstained). 4. Adoption of Agenda It was requested to move Item D forward on the agenda. It was moved by Commissioner Theobald, seconded by Commissioner Browning, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed 5-0. 5. Public Comment - None 6. New Business D. Fiber optic study update Mr. Pires introduced Joanne Hovis who is doing stakeholder interviews as part of the Fiber Optic study, getting input from Comcast, CenturyLink, members of the fiber industry, St. Louis Park public schools, Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Hamline University. Ms. Hovis said she has been working on the fiber optic study since late last year. Their job is to evaluate the existing fiber and provide strategic recommendations and options on how it can be utilized for the long term interest of the community and to make sure St. Louis Park is looking toward the future. They have met with wide range of people with some really interesting models, from wireline incumbents to the smaller entrepreneurs who are pushing the envelope on how fiber is being used in the private sector. They are also closely monitoring what is happening in Washington, since those activities can impact technologies down the road. They are looking broadly at business plans for networks and technologies that affect St. Louis Park and the services that are available. They are also doing a non-scientific study of the business community and an on-line survey to get a sense of what the community is looking for, if their needs are being met, what kind of connectivity they are experiencing and if there are gaps, and where they see their uses going in the coming years. To this point the focus has been on data collection and now they are starting to analyze the data. Commissioner Theobald asked if they had started analysis of the existing public fiber? What are the strengths or deficiencies? Ms. Hovis replied yes, they have a good sense of the existing fiber. There are both strengths and deficiencies for public fiber. This is a well-served community for schools and government facilities, with big bandwidth and redundancy at extraordinary savings vs. leasing. Deficiencies depend on what the goal is. They are identifying and targeting other locations that are underserved for the feasibility of adding them. Public works and the library come to mind. The library has relatively low bandwidth, and is operated by the County. Chair Peterson asked other than city and school, is anyone else using the fiber now? Mr. Pires replied yes, the City is a member of a consortium of 45 cities (LOGIS) and they link via fiber back to a central data system in Golden Valley. One of the advantages of working with other cities is the redundant fiber lines in case a line is cut, so that the City and Schools can stay connected. Chair Peterson asked about participation in the business survey and if they were satisfied with it? Ms. Hovis replied they would love more responses, but have had a high level. They are leaving the response time open longer and trying to draw more attention to the survey. Mr. Pires added they could do another phase of the study that would be more scientific. Commissioner Browning asked how businesses had been notified? Mr. Pires replied they sent a postcard with a link and background information. They also used social media and advertised in the paper. Mr. McHugh asked when the first phase was done, would there be a map showing public and private fiber? Ms. Hovis replied a public map is done. Private carriers don’t provide that data and feel it is proprietary. Mapping is seldom accurate because it is difficult to identify. Mr. Pires stated they anticipate a draft report in July and they will then have a work session. B. City web site upgrade converts entire site to mobile-compatible Mr. Zwilling presented a PowerPoint to illustrate the mobile strategy for the web site. The web site was redesigned in 2008 and won a National Award. In 2010 they created a custom contact management system, which was a huge difference for managing the site. Mobile devices include smart phones and tablets like iPads. Mobile devices will overtake PC’s as the most common web access devices by 2013, so we need to react to that. In April 2011, 5% of the City web site users accessed with a mobile device, and now it is 15% and growing. Accepted mobile device guidelines are: crisp, clean design; focus on core use scenarios; minimize input where possible, to minimize the number of button clicks to get information; and continue to monitor and improve usability. These principles apply to desktop users also. The City has developed a two-year Communication Plan that recognizes a shift in communication, that the web site is now the central tool of our communications. Strategies are to: develop complete mobile web/application plan, redesign site and meet HTML5 and mobile standards; continue to enhance look and feel of site; add customer service portal and track requests; utilize users to identify areas that need improvement and updating; continue to monitor statistics to drive content; and, hold annual refresher training/meetings with staff web contributors. Content is what matters most, and the site needs to be flexible and adaptable to many form factors. We need to get comfortable with the fact that it won’t look the same everywhere because it varies from browser to browser and device to device. There currently are over 50 mobile devices available. Mr. Zwilling did a demonstration of the prototype design, and said that he anticipates a June launch. He said we still need to move some data around and do user groups testing. Commissioner Browning asked about apps? Mr. Zwilling said that this design doesn’t include any apps, but that is the way they are going. It may be a reporting app, for example, to report sighting a coyote or a pothole. Mr. Pires said that the City has been using Blackberry’s for the last 4 or 5 years, but staff will be moving to Androids and iPhones so that they can see what the customer sees. Commissioner Hoffman asked if the phone numbers will automatically call if clicked? Mr. Zwilling said on an iPad or phone, all the phone numbers will automatically call when the hot link is pressed. For the contact us portion, the email addresses will be activated as well. A. Comcast Price Increase follow-up Mr. Dunlap stated he got an email today from Comcast with follow up information that turns out to be pretty straight forward. For example, the new channel line-up didn’t say anything about Music Choice channels being available to Basic cable customers, but it turns out customers will still receive those channels. There were price increases in February and April, done at different times depending on customer packages. Customers didn’t receive two price increases. Comcast customer service staff will be present at an upcoming meeting for further follow up. Chair Peterson said that he noticed the response to Commissioner Dworsky’s comment about not receiving price increase information, and thought the same was true until he found out that at his house, those notices are automatically recycled. Mr. Dunlap said that for people doing on-line payment, the bill summary has a link for further details which opens a PDF of the same statement that is mailed to customers, which includes the advance notices. He encourages online customers to look for that link to stay informed on changes in Comcast services. Commissioner Browning said it struck him as odd that service upgrades had increased something like $6, which seems odd because the customer is signing up for more expensive services. C. Consider franchise fee audit notice, going back 3 years from the date of the notice Mr. Dunlap said that even if audit notice were sent immediately, there would be a gap between the last audit and the next because the Commission decided to not to proceed with an audit last year. Audits verify that the amounts the cable company pays the city are correct. He recommended that even if the Commission isn’t interested in pursuing an audit at this time, to put this on next year’s work plan. Commissioner Peterson asked if other cities were auditing Comcast? Mr. Dunlap said that right now most other cities are working on franchise renewals, and that’s a very good time to do audits. St. Louis Park’s franchise renewal is 5 or 6 years away. In the past St. Louis Park has worked together with other commissions on audits, which was more economical. It was moved by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Dworsky, to table the discussion and revisit the Franchise Fee Audit at the December, 2012 meeting. The motion passed 6-0. E. Review budget for 2011 Year to Date & 2012 Mr. Dunlap sent an Email with a summary. He researched why non-capital expenditures in 2011 were $5,500 instead of $2,000. It turns out John McHugh purchased camcorders for Community TV that were budgeted as part of the Capital Improvement Plan, a different budget category, and since they cost less than $5,000, they were put into the non-capital category instead. 7. Reports A. Complaints Commissioner Browning asked about the Photo ID requirement if a tech comes out, is that new? Mr. Dunlap replied the Comcast response didn’t really address it and he could follow up and see if they have a policy. Commissioner Browning said that some of the comments had to do with pricing, and reiterated that the City has no control over that. He said there are other options out there, and that the Commission needs to look at opportunities to provide competition. 8. Communication from the Chair Chair Peterson welcomed new Commissioner Hoffman to her first meeting. 9. Communications from City Staff Mr. McHugh handed out information on capital items they were buying for the department. He described the producer and volunteer recognition event in April, which was an open house with the van on display. 10. Adjournment Commissioner Dworsky made a motion, Commission Hartman seconded to adjourn at 8:04. The motion passed 6-0. Respectfully submitted by: Amy L. Stegora-Peterson Recording Secretary