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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/09/22 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - Regular Minutes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission September 22, 1998 Page 1 APPROVED MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK CABLE TV ADVISORY COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 22, 1998 − 5:55 P.M. BURNSVILLE CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Ken Huiras, Robert Jacobson, and Mary Jean Overend MEMBERS ABSENT: Anthony Raiber STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator; and Rebecca Belz, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order: Vice Chair Huiras called the meeting to order at 5:55 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Chair Anthony Raiber was absent with cause. 3. Approval of Minutes of July 16, 1998: Bruce Browning moved, seconded by Robert Jacobson, to approve the minutes of the July 16, 1998 St. Louis Park Cable TV Advisory Commission as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 4. Adoption of Agenda: Vice Chair Huiras accepted the agenda as distributed, after Commissioner Jacobson reported that the material that he had been collecting on schools was incomplete and will be presented at a future meeting. 5. Old Business A. Background on Burnsville/Eagan name change from Cable TV Commission to Telecommunications Commission: Mr. Mike Reardon, Director of Burnsville/Eagan Telecommunications Commission gave an overhead presentation and discussion regarding background information on the Telecommunications field and his experience with changing from a Cable Commission to a Telecommunications Commission. He gave background Minutes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission September 22, 1998 Page 2 information regarding the rapid changes in technology in the last ten years, the 1996 Telecommunications Act and how he sees the role of commissions changing as well. He reported that the Burnsville/Eagan Commission changed its title January 1, 1997, and reviewed some of their experiences since the change. Based on the questions asked and the information given during the presentation, the Commission learned: * The Commission is an advisory body to two City Councils, but has direct authority from the Federal Communications Commission to regulate Basic cable rates. * The duties of the new Commission have not been clearly defined and will be clarified with the City Councils in the future. * The work load of two transfers of ownership of the cable tv system in the last few years has been a significant factor in delaying the clarification of new roles for the Commission. * The Commission acknowledges that various City departments have direct responsibilities for telecommunications issues, i.e., Engineering for tower siting, Planning for Comprehensive Planning, and Public Works for right- of-way management. * The Commission has found that they may or may not be consulted regarding telecommunication issues happening within the City. * Change within the Commission itself has resulted primarily with a wider group of interested parties with various areas of telecommunication expertise. Mr. Reardon’s presentation and discussion regarding his experience concluded at 7:15 p.m. at which time, the Commission thanked Mr. Reardon for his assistance and took a short break. B. Discuss Name Change to Telecommunications Commission: The Commission continued its discussion regarding the possibility of changing the name to Telecommunications Commission. Though responses were somewhat mixed, the general consensus was that a change in the name could stimulate growth for the Commission. Details in the process of a change were also discussed. The Commission requested staff to compile information that would need to be presented to City Council for a recommendation. Staff will have information ready at the December meeting. It was also noted that several discussion items were planned for Minutes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission September 22, 1998 Page 3 the December meeting and a decision regarding the name change may be limited or tabled until a subsequent meeting. 6. New Business: A. Annual Commission Report and 1998 Work Plan: Mr. Dunlap noted the draft included in the packet and asked the Commission for their input. Commission approved of the draft. 7. Reports: A. Franchise Report: Vice Chair Huiras noted the inclusion of the report and asked for any questions. No questions were noted. B. Cable Outage Report: Mr. Dunlap noted that the outage report had been included. He explained that he compiled the information from a report submitted by Paragon. The Commission briefly discussed the report and wondered how Paragon compiled this information. Mr. Dunlap suggested these questions be brought up at the December meeting when a representative from Paragon would be present. 8. Communications From the Chair: There was no report from the Chair due to his absence. 9. Communications From Staff: Mr. Dunlap reported that a letter had been sent to Barbara Pulliam September 14, 1998 regarding the questions the Commission asked relating to the money the School District had requested. These monies are from the annual grant request the district makes, and was discussed at previous meetings this summer. Mr. Dunlap will follow-up in a few weeks if no response is received. He further advised the Commission that the funds would most likely be voted on in December. Mr. Dunlap then reported that the local paper, the Sun-Sailor, had recently started printing the cable schedule again. The Commission noted that they had seen the printing and were pleased. Minutes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission September 22, 1998 Page 4 Mr. Dunlap referenced the complaint log and that few complaints had been received. Mr. Dunlap reported that the Emergency Alert System (EAS test) has not been working on one of the cable channels. This is being investigated and will be fixed. Mr. McHugh noted that he will be forwarding a new report to the Commission and added that he would like to forward it via e-mail to the Commissioners. He acknowledged that not all Commissioners had e-mail or access to a computer and explained that the City would be willing to loan the appropriate equipment to individuals. He further explained that the equipment would be loaned on the signature of the Commissioner with the understanding that the equipment would be returned once their term is complete and/or they resign. He explained that this would greatly enhance communication efforts between the Commissioners and enable all to receive information in a timely manner. He added that each Commissioner could selectively keep and delete pertinent information as they see fit. The consensus of the Commission was that this was a good idea and looked forward to the possibilities. 10. Adjournment: With no other business to come before the Commission, Bruce Browning moved, seconded by Robert Jacobson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca L. Belz Recording Secretary ATTEST: Reg Dunlap Civic TV Coordinator City of St. Louis Park