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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/10/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - Regular Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission October 7, 1999 Page 1 OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK CABLE TV ADVISORY COMMISSION OCTOBER 7, 1999 --7:00 P.M. ST. LOUIS PARK CITY HALL FIRST FLOOR COMMUNITY ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, John Herbert, Ken Huiras, and Robert Jacobson MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Jean Overend STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator; and Shirley Olson, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order - Roll Call Chair Huiras called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: All current members of the Commission except Mary Jean Overend were present. New Commissioner (School District appointee) John Herbert was in attendance and welcomed. 3. Approval of Minutes: Bruce Browning asked that the reference to home entertainment systems in section 4 be struck, since it was handled informally on the Paragon tour. Ken Huiras asked that the last sentence of paragraph 6, section 7. A. be moved up to the first sentence to more clearly answer the question asked in the previous paragraph by Dale Hartman. It was moved by Bruce Browning, seconded by Robert Jacobson, to approve the minutes of August 12, 1999 meeting of the Cable TV Advisory Commission with these amendments. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Adoption of Agenda: Chair Huiras recommended that agenda be adopted. The Commission concurred. 5. Old Business A. Review of School District Report and School District funding for 2000 The Commission reviewed a letter and purchasing schedule plan from Charles E. Fiss, the School District’s Video Technician. Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission October 7, 1999 Page 2 Bruce Browning asked if the School District was expecting to replace all of the designated equipment with franchise funds. He believed it was an aggressive equipment list for the funds currently available. Reg Dunlap said it probably was the School District’s intention to use franchise funds to purchase all the equipment, based on their presentation earlier this year. Robert Jacobson questioned what type of equipment was necessary for the purpose of teaching. He questioned if VHS camcorders were obsolete and if additional tripods for camcorders were necessary. He believed the School District’s intentions needed to be clarified. Bruce Browning questioned if the referendum was passed, what amount could go for this equipment list. He recommended that the Commission defer making a decision until the referendum had been passed and specifics of desired equipment and usage were known. Reg Dunlap suggested that the Commission make a recommendation at this time since the Commission had not made a decision about increasing the School District’s $25,000 grant. Ken Huiras recalled already approving a grant of $25,000 for 1999. Reg Dunlap stated he would research if this was approved. It was moved by John Herbert, seconded by Rick Dworsky, to approve a $25,000 operating grant for 1999 to the School District, unless after staff research this amount has already been approved. The motion passed unanimously. Rick Dworsky requested that the School District provide a report with a list of equipment that was purchased with the $7,500 franchise fees. Staff will request the list from the District. Bob Jacobson recommended that a complete inventory list which included an estimated life and replacement schedule be included in report so that the Commission could consider increasing the grant next year. It was the consensus of the Commission that the current equipment list had missing information, including the status of current equipment and how any replaced equipment could be shared in some way with non public schools. The Commission directed Staff to request a report from the Charlie Fiss, Video Technician. 6. New Business B. Consider MACTA lobbying contribution regarding Senator Kelley bill Reg Dunlap presented an update on the proposed legislation that would eliminate local control over cable franchises and fees, and a letter requesting $5,000 for a lobbyist to protect the interests of cities from Cor Wilson, Chair of the Minnesota Association of Community Telecommunications Association (MACTA) Legislative Committee. Reg Dunlap said that Senator Kelley was considered an expert on Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission October 7, 1999 Page 3 telecommunications in the Minnesota Legislature, but had a more limited knowledge of cable TV, and explained how this legislation would threaten St. Louis Park’s local authority and control of franchise fees. The Commission discussed the impact of this proposed legislation on the residents of St. Louis Park and the need of the City to adopt a position to protect the community. Bruce Browning said that the City could not afford to risk the franchise fees as currently collected. It was moved by Bruce Browning, seconded by Robert Jacobson, to recommend that the City Council approve a resolution approving an amount of $5,000 to be used by Spano & Janecek to provide legislative services as addressed by MACTA to respond to proposed legislation by Senator Kelley. The motion passed unanimously. C. Discuss Annual Commission Report to Council and 2000 Work Plan Reg Dunlap indicated that a 1999 annual Commission report has not yet been completed, but would be at the request of the Commission. The Commission discussed and recommended that the following topics be added to the 2000 Work Plan: • Paragon Cable franchise agreement & updates on Council action • Roadrunner (Paragon high speed Internet Access) • Cable program listing enhancements - Day/week at a glance (after upgrade to 750 MHz) • High Definition TV & Must Carry rules • Needs Assessment Update 7. Reports - None 8. Communications from the Chair - None 9. Communications from City Staff Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator indicated that he did not attend the recent NATOA conference because of the need to work on the Council Chambers remodeling. Reg Dunlap indicated that there had been a procedural problem with the name change to the Commission and presented options for the Commission. It was the consensus of the Commission to wait until about March, 2000 to complete the procedure for the name change when the City Clerk’s office recommends City Ordinance Recodification. Reg Dunlap asked if the Commission had any changes to updated roster. The Commission made no changes. Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission October 7, 1999 Page 4 Reg Dunlap presented a brief update of City Council Study Session of September 27, 1999 with the Paragon representatives presenting a cable upgrade overview and future services. He indicated that many concerns and questions were raised by the Council, and staff was directed to have the City Attorney review the franchise language pertaining to the continual upgrade of the system. Reg Dunlap indicated that the Commission was not being asked to take any action at this time. Reg Dunlap briefly reviewed a Cable Television Rate Survey conducted by the City of Apple Valley and noted that St. Louis Park compared favorably on the cost per channel and number of channels. Bruce Browning recommended that the Commission invite a Telecommunication futurist to a Commission meeting to discuss both the regulatory aspects of cable and technical application for the future. Reg Dunlap stated he would research this possibility. Reg Dunlap invited Commissioners on a tour of the newly renovated Council Chambers. 10. Adjournment With no other business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Bruce Browning, seconded by Rick Dworsky to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Shirley Olson Recording Secretary ATTEST: Reg Dunlap Civic TV Coordinator City of St. Louis Park