HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/08/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING OF AUGUST 3, 2006
ST. LOUIS PARK COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, Ken Huiras, Bob
Jacobson and Mary Jean Overend
MEMBERS ABSENT: Rolf Peterson
STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community
TV Coordinator
OTHERS PRESENT: Kathi Donnelly-Cohen, Comcast Director of Government
Relations; Arlen Mattern, Comcast Public Affairs Administrator
1. Call to Order
Chair Dworsky called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
2. Roll Call
Present at roll call were Commissioners Browning, Dworsky, Hartman, Huiras, Jacobson
and Overend.
3. Approval of Minutes for May 4, 2006
Commissioner Huiras stated in item 7d, in the third line, should read “indicated”, not
“indicted”.
It was moved by Commissioner Huiras, seconded by Commissioner Browning, to approve
the minutes of May 4, 2006, as amended.
The motion passed 6-0.
4. Adoption of Agenda
Commissioner Overend requested adding item 6e, Policy to Track School District #283
Franchise for expenditures.
It was moved by Commissioner Huiras, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, to approve
the agenda as amended.
The motion passed 6-0.
5. Public Comment – None
6. New Business
A. Transfer: Time Warner to Comcast
Ms. Donnelly-Cohen, Comcast, stated the closing occurred on Monday, July 30 between
Time Warner and Comcast, and they are starting to work on best practices to provide the
best service possible. Notification had been sent to the City and a letter would be sent to
Time Warner customers. A new letter of credit was also delivered for the City.
Commissioner Huiras asked if the letter was being mailed to subscribers? Ms. Donnelly-
Cohen replied yes.
Commissioner Huiras asked when they would get answers to the questions that the City
had presented? Ms. Donnelly-Cohen replied this was a different process and they
weren’t able to work with the staff from Time Warner do a lot of planning.
Commissioner Huiras asked for more information on changes for Roadrunner and other
users to Comcast, can they keep the same email addresses and what support will they get?
Ms. Donnelly-Cohen replied the change over would be this fall. Customers will get a
letter at least 30 days in advance with instructions to go to a web site, which will walk
them through the steps. The email will change to (user name).comcast.net. The address
book can be uploaded and does not need to be recreated. Web pages can be uploaded and
not recreated. The Comcast product is an extraordinary product with a faster speed and
“Fan” features (stories, features, news, etc.). Comcast has a contract with EarthLink and
their customers won’t be affected by the transfer. That contract is up for renewal and she
could not say if there would be changes. Most importantly, Comcast understands that
they have to communicate clearly with customers. With the transition, Emails will be
automatically forwarded for a year.
Commissioner Browning asked if there would be changes in equipment for consumers?
Ms. Donnelly-Cohen replied that high-speed data equipment and video converters would
not have to change.
Commissioner Huiras asked about the cost protection for those who have special pricing
with EarthLink? Ms. Donnelly-Cohen replied the contract is with EarthLink and will
continue for a period of time. This will fall under the current Time Warner/EarthLink
Contract and for a period of time Comcast will do the billing. When the billing starts being
done for all the products by Comcast, at that point EarthLink will begin billing the
EarthLink customers.
Chair Dworsky asked how to change a Roadrunner Email address now? Ms. Donnelly-Cohen
responded they couldn’t do it today, but would give a 30-day notice.
Commissioner Browning asked if the cost structure would change? Ms. Donnelly-Cohen
replied no.
Commissioner Browning indicated he had broadband only service and asked if what he had
been paying presently would stay the same with Comcast? Ms. Donnelly-Cohen responded
she would need to find out. There wouldn’t be rate changes until at least the end of the year.
Commissioner Huiras asked if there would be a change in channel line-ups? Ms. Donnelly-
Cohen replied there would be changes in late October. They would provide information to
the customers. Local origination and public access channels would not change.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if the City had a mission statement from Comcast? Ms.
Donnelly-Cohen responded they could provide it. Mr. Dunlap added Comcast provided a
letter indicating background information.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if there would eventually be a price change? Ms.
Donnelly-Cohen responded contracts were yearly and historically a price adjustment is
done in January.
Commissioner Huiras asked if the customer service numbers would stay the same? Ms.
Donnelly-Cohen replied yes and it would be the same billing locations. They were
changing the trucks, etc. Bills will change in September or October.
Commissioner Browning asked if the online billing would change? Ms. Donnelly-Cohen
replied they can pay on-line with Comcast, but there might be a different site. The direct
payments will stay the same.
B. Cable company customer service update
Mr. Dunlap stated in past years this had been on the work plan, but last year there weren’t
as many questions, so he didn’t invite extra customer service staff to this meeting. Ms.
Donnelly-Cohen said they needed more employees and that a number of positions were
open. Comcast set up a special web site for questions and answers,
www.comcast.com\welcomemn, which was listed on the customer notice letter.
Commissioner Huiras asked if the phone services would be seamless? Ms. Donnelly-
Cohen replied they would send a letter and packet in the next few weeks with a battery
and installation instruction. They have a battery back-up system, so the phone will work
if the power goes out.
Mr. Dunlap suggested they send periodic updates via Email as a way to communicate
changes. Ms. Donnelly-Cohen indicated the percentage of people who use Roadrunner is
not 100%, which is why they do mailings as well as send Email.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if they would still require social security numbers to
identify the customer? Ms. Donnelly-Cohen replied they ask for the last four digits of the
social security as a pin number. They are cognizant of security and privacy issues. A
customer can make up their own pin number, but they preferred to get social security
numbers. Mr. Mattern added it had been helpful when they needed to identify a person
and verify identity.
Commissioner Jacobson stated that customer service staff didn’t seem to know they could
ask for other information other than the social security number.
Commissioner Overend asked if customers could continue to use Visi.com for an Email
address? Mr. Dunlap replied that was not available through the cable modem, it was
available through the telephone service and wouldn’t change.
Mr. Dunlap asked if the customer would see a difference on the bill or would the price
descriptions and the package descriptions be basically the same? Ms. Donnelly-Cohen
responded there would be an insert titled, “How to Read Your Bill” in the first bill. It was
very easy to read and understand. Comcast video, high speed data and digital voice will all
be on the same bill.
C. Time Warner or Comcast Annual Filings
Mr. Dunlap indicated the new franchise doesn’t require annual filings. It was on the
agenda because it was a work plan item. They had a discussion about not having a
monthly report, but he would like to discuss with the Commission information they
would like to see.
Commissioner Huiras suggested this be added to a future agenda.
Mr. Dunlap indicated the next meeting was October 5th and Comcast may have more
information. Council may decide about wireless by that time. He would let
Commissioners know about alternate meeting dates.
Commissioners felt they may need to hold a meeting in October (19th or 26th) and after
Council met would be a better alternative. Mr. Dunlap would communicate with
Commissioners about the meeting date.
D. School District quarterly report
Mr. Dunlap stated Charlie Fiss dropped off the report including what they had shown on
Channel 14 recently. They hadn’t purchased new equipment yet from the franchise fee
grant, but they would inform them when they did. They were in contact with Mr.
McHugh about the studio setup and how to go forward.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if there had been any contact about the equipment needed
for the school studio? Mr. McHugh replied he met with Tom Marble and they were
planning to get new cameras by the end of the year. He also wanted studio-configured
tripods. He asked Charlie Fiss to let them know what they were thinking of because if
they decided to buy replacement van cameras, perhaps they could be the same model as
the studio cameras and they could get a good deal on more. The School District had the
money and could make their own decisions how to equip themselves. By January there
will be set times for community use of the studio. Tom Marble, the District Technology
Director, was working with Community Education. It will be a good partnership, but he
was unsure how long it would be (approx. 1-2 years). Ideally they will have a
community studio outside of the high school within five years.
E. Policy to Track School Purchase
Commissioner Overend proposed a policy be put into place because it’s an era of tight
budget constraints in a rapidly changing environment. Flexibility and changes must be
anticipated and must be made. She said the Telecommunications Advisory Commission
wants to make sure that franchise fees to School District #283 are spent the way they
expect them to be spent. She felt it was imperative to take action immediately while we are
in a transition period of changing from one cable provider to another. The legality of this
proposal was raised. Reg Dunlap said that the City Attorney would not have to be notified
of adding a new policy, that the Commission can set its own bylaws and policies. Perhaps
the input of the School District’s Director of Information Services, Tom Marble is needed
to make sure the new policy is practical for the District to follow.
Commissioner Overend suggested the policy include documenting valid reasoning and
necessity for the requests and an explanation for implementing the franchise fees
differently, if necessary, as something that would be scrutinized by the public. She
recommended that a timeline for the expenditures must be included, for example, dollars
received by “date”, dollars spent by “date” and to whom they were paid. Commissioner
Overend suggested that the other Commissioners provide input and suggestions for a policy
change.
Mr. Dunlap stated the City Council meets with the Commission early in the year. Marcia
Honold, Management Assistant for the City, suggested ideas for a policy be put into a
report for the City Council at the next joint meeting.
Commissioner Jacobson stated most schools have policies in place and some of the things
the Commission does may conflict. He wants to coordinate with the School District way
of monitoring funds and see how that would fit with a this policy and avoid duplication or
extra work.
Mr. Dunlap said that Mr. Marble has in the past provided a chart showing where funding
had been spent. Mr. Marble has asked him to identify when the funding gets to the
District so he knew when to check for it and purchase from a particular fund.
Commissioner Huiras asked if the operating grant that was given to them had to be
accounted for? Commissioner Overend replied that would be addressed in the timeline
for expenditures.
Commissioner Browning asked if this would apply to grants already given or subsequent
grants? Commissioner Overend replied to future grants. This policy would need to go to
City Council.
Chair Dworsky suggested they work with the proposal and coordinate with what the
School District has in place.
Mr. Dunlap stated he would check with Mr. Marble about reporting requirements and
make sure they weren’t creating more work.
7. Old Business
A. Fiber optic ordinance report
Mr. Dunlap stated he included an Email in the packets from a developer at Excelsior and
Grand opposing this requirement. He plans to do more research for the next meeting.
Commissioner Browning stated the email could be skewed and may not be an accurate
representation. Chair Dworsky concurred and wondered if fiber was at no cost if he would
have the same thoughts?
Commissioner Huiras believed the question was how much it would raise the cost of the
building, which had never been answered. It would not be that significant to put in a 10
base “T” instead of a standard wire and they were going to use it at some point in time and
could recover the cost.
Commissioner Jacobson said the Email indicated it was a substantial cost was a deterrent
and because there was no interest from people he talked to. Some education was needed
because people didn’t know what it was about.
Chair Dworsky asked if they could find out the cost per multiple dwelling units or
individual homes in other communities? Mr. Dunlap said the price range was very wide
for the cost per foot comparisons of various fiber optic indoor wiring.
Commissioner Browning asked if Commissioner Overend went to the meetings that were
held about the fiber to the home? Commissioner Overend replied yes and had
information to share.
Mr. McHugh stated the developer said he was wiring all of their homes with CAT 5 and
Coax. It was not clear what the advantage was of having pure fiber connection instead of
going from an optical electrical interface at the side of the home or in the home 70 feet with
CAT 5 to the appliance that needs the signal. He didn’t think they would diminish their
capability with that short a run of CAT 5 cable versus the utility of having pure fiber optics.
When he says they were already doing CAT 5 and coax and to do fiber optics, he estimates it
would be $2500-2700, he could understand his reticence barring anything you can hold in
your hand that clearly proves the advantage over 70 feet of fiber optics versus some other
signal path.
Commissioner Browning asked if it was the final run or the run into the complex? In a
multiple dwelling unit, would they bring fiber to the building and then move CAT 5
cabling through the complex from the central termination point?
Chair Dworsky believed it wasn’t clear from his letter.
Commissioner Browning agreed with Mr. McHugh, going with fiber from the
termination point to every room in the house was not necessary and probably would be
cost prohibitive.
Commissioner Huiras didn’t think fiber within the home was the question, it was fiber to
the home.
Commissioner Browning said if there was a termination just to the building, it would be
pretty cheap.
Mr. McHugh replied in their statement it was estimates for a single-family home and
would be internal to the home. If someone was bringing fiber to the building, it would be
the signal provider, it would not be the homeowner. The homeowner would have the
distribution within their dwelling. They hadn’t had anything before the Commission
showing a clear advantage of 70 feet of fiber optics versus CAT 5 and coax, which this
developer says he was currently putting into everything he builds.
Chair Dworsky stated in the same letter he didn’t see the cost of Coax and CAT 5 and
couldn’t compare.
B. City wireless pilot project update and next steps
Mr. McHugh indicated the wireless project was scheduled for the next City Council
meeting. The staff report recommends Council approve the process to request bids for
design, purchase and implementation of a wireless system. Staff hopes that there will be
cost efficiencies since the initial bids are months old. With the old estimates, there was a
shortfall recovering the expenses of construction and operation of the system. If the bids
they receive between now and September reflect new information showing that the
business plan is a good one and that there is no financial restriction going forward, that
may be the news they would need to be able to go forward. The City Council will take
action (approve or deny) Monday to get current estimates and see how they work with the
business plan.
Commissioner Browning asked with the current systems, if the data changed with foliage
and had coverage areas changed? Mr. McHugh replied once the trees were fully leafed,
there was re-spacing of equipment, or adjustment of the foliage. The City had some trees
trimmed. That would be a factor of the costs and it would need to be fine-tuned.
Commissioner Jacobson asked the monthly project cost? Mr. McHugh replied the
pricing pilot participants were getting was what they project would be the pricing going
forward. Revised pricing could be part of fine-tuning the business plans when they get
the reports back from the vendors. The 3 prices available are $15, $20 and $30, plus and
a mandatory $5 equipment fee for a wireless bridge..
Commissioner Browning asked about the different tiers? Mr. McHugh replied the speeds
range from 120 kilo bits per second to 1 megabit and 3 megabits per second.
Commissioner Browning asked if the speed was impacted by the number of people
connected at a given time? Mr. McHugh replied they didn’t have that information.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if there was a surge of interest and people who wanted the
service? Mr. McHugh replied there had been a return of 2,500 indications of interest
(surveys) in the past 60 days by residents and businesses.
Commissioner Jacobson believed many people did not know about the pilot.
Mr. McHugh stated he was not part of the planning group. If they start the wireless
service, it will not be available simultaneously because the work will be done in phases.
Some people in the project area didn’t subscribe because of the nature of it being a pilot
project, with no guarantee of continuing.
Commissioner Huiras asked if testers were being questioned if they like it or not? Mr.
McHugh replied anytime there is a point of contact with customers, they find out what
the customers feelings are.
C. Website update (Gov Delivery)
Mr. Dunlap did a demo of Gov Delivery, which included a calendar of upcoming events
and free Email updates for anyone who subscribes to the service that will tell when a
specific web page has changed. He also demonstrated the Video on Demand archives
available from the web site.
Commissioner Browning asked how far back the archives go? Mr. Dunlap said they
began with the March 20, 2006 Council meeting.
Commissioner Huiras asked if there were other programs archived? Mr. Dunlap said that
library was growing, including Park Perspective, “Selling Your Home in St. Louis Park”
and “Putting Children First.”
Commissioner Huiras suggested they put the candidate forums on the web. Mr. Dunlap
noted they can easily archive anything recorded in the Council Chambers.
Commissioner Huiras asked about the programs from Lenox Community Center? Mr.
McHugh replied “K9” had run on the Comcast “Local on Demand” site, but had finished.
The St. Louis Park Historical Society did a program called the “History of St. Louis
Park,” which had a six-month run and was very popular, so they may put it back on the
“Local on Demand” site.
D. Local origination programming transition update
Mr. Dunlap said Clint Pires talked with the manager of the Municipal Service Center
about storing the production van used for local origination, after it’s donated to the City.
A workspace has been created for Scott Smith, and Facilities Maintenance will create
work spaces for the 3 new “Park TV” employees in December.
8. Reports
A. Complaints
Commissioner Browning asked about complaints regarding having cables buried and if
there was a policy when they needed to be buried? Mr. Mattern replied it depended on the
time of year, it took longer in the winter. In the summer it should be done within two
weeks.
Commissioner Huiras asked about complaint #8, cable was out for a period of time, there
was no credit involved? Does it need to be out a certain length of time? Mr. Mattern
replied no credit was given.
Commissioner Huiras indicated complaint #10 was from him and he hadn’t received
information on how to run the DVR. The service people were sent twice and didn’t fix
the issue. He had been promised the information four times and the DVR instruction
channel did not work. The service technicians were independent contractors and were
very bad. Mr. Mattern replied he would send the instructions.
Commissioner Hartman noted his son had trouble with a DVR.
Commissioner Browning asked how successful DVR boxes were and if they worked
well? Mr. Mattern replied they hadn’t had a lot of trouble. If there is a problem, it
usually is a signal problem, not the box.
Commissioner Overend asked the charge for a DVR? Mr. Mattern replied it was the
same price for any other box. There is a service price that depends on what is ordered.
Commissioner Huiras noted that they added services without telling him and charged him
$35 for the installation. Mr. Mattern indicated he would look at the account.
Commissioner Browning asked about cable cards that plug into new TV’s? Mr. Mattern
replied he had not heard about those in months.
Ms. Donnelly-Cohen stated the companies are required to offer them. When they were
first developed, they weren’t two-way and customers can’t use DVR and video on
demand. Engineers are working on developing a new generation of cable cards.
9. Communication from the Chair - None
10. Communications from City Staff
Mr. Dunlap reported there continued to be great interest in WiFi. Clint Pires would be
attending NATOA and MACTA conferences as a guest speaker. “The History of St.
Louis Park” received 26 hits on Comcast’s “Local on Demand” channel 1000, and he
encouraged people to look for these programs.
11. Adjournment
Commissioner Jacobson made a motion, Commission Browning seconded to adjourn at
8:22. The motion passed.
Respectfully submitted by:
Amy L. Stegora-Peterson
Recording Secretary