HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/10/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING OF OCTOBER 11, 2007
ST. LOUIS PARK HIGH SCHOOL, SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, Ken Huiras, Bob
Jacobson, Kirk Morrow, Rolf Peterson
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community
TV Coordinator
OTHERS PRESENT: None
1. Call to Order
Chair Huiras called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
2. Roll Call
Present at roll call were Commissioners Browning, Dworsky, Hartman, Huiras, Jacobson
and Peterson. Commissioner Morrow arrived at 7:05 p.m.
3. Approval of Minutes for August 2, 2007
Mr. Dunlap noted a request by Mr. Mattern for the minutes to include his answer to Chair
Huiras question about the NFL Network, that it’s available on the Sports Entertainment
Package as channel 736, but not on Basic or Standard cable.
It was moved by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson to
approve the minutes of August 2, 2007 as amended.
The motion passed 7-0.
4. Adoption of Agenda
The agenda was approved as presented.
5. Public Comment – None
6. Unfinished Business
A. Proposed School District Franchise Fees Policy
Chair Huiras noted the policy sets forward guidelines regarding what the Commission
grants for franchise fee expenditures for operation and equipment grants.
Mr. Dunlap clarified the recommendation is to create a written policy from what the
Commission had practiced for the last 8-10 years, to make it a part of the record.
Commissioner Morrow noted the third paragraph said District 273 and should be 283.
Mr. Dunlap indicated this would be a stated policy, not part of the By-laws. It can be
changed in the future.
It was moved by Commissioner Dworsky, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, to
approve the School District Franchise Fees Policy, as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
B. Fiber Optic Ordinance Update from Staff
Mr. Dunlap reported the Verizon fiber all the way to the home (FTTH) project being built
in parts of the country is charging $40 for 5 megabit downloads and 2 megabit uploads,
which is similar to what Comcast offers in many communities. If you want something
dramatically better, it costs $178/month for 30 megabit/second downloads. Qwest
recently announced they expect to offer video services in Minnesota by the end of 2008,
and Minneapolis was one of the markets mentioned, although it is unclear if that meant
the entire metro area.
Mr. Dunlap said the purpose of the ordinance is to improve data transmission technology
and options for St. Louis Park residents and businesses. The most useful model is one
passed in Seattle with a goal of 25 megabits/second, which would be an improvement
over what cable model and many business users have now. In 2015, the goal would be
broadband for all. Park WiFi, even at 256 kilobits/second, was technically considered to
be broadband, which would meet that goal. San Francisco is also working on a
significant fiber project although he hadn’t had time to research that. Some things the
Commission had talked about in the past included running fiber optic cable on each
multiple dwelling unit. At that time there was talk about not necessarily needing fiber
inside a multi story building to get phone, video and data transmission to each of the
individual units. He needed to look into that more. The Commission also talked about
having single-family homes and new subdivisions pre-wired in some way, for example,
requiring a home that did a significant a remodel of at least 50% of the square footage to
be pre-wired with fiber Options include having the City build a fiber optic to the home
system, like Windom and Monticello, but that is not likely to happen anytime soon.
Other options include the City partnering with a private entrant to help get them involved,
or offering incentives to let new entrants know they were wanted.
Commissioner Browning asked how City Council felt about this and if it had come up for
discussion? Mr. Dunlap replied they were interested in having something go forward,
that they wanted residents to have as many technology options as possible.
Commissioner Browning indicated another option coming is broadband over power line,
which would be speeds up to 150 megabits/second. Some of the satellite providers are
partnering for that purpose. He did not know how far down the line that would be.
Mr. Dunlap stated WiMax has started to reach the point where there are products
available for sale.
Commissioners felt staff should continue to pursue this.
Commissioner Jacobson commented he called Comcast trying to find out details on
package offers for cable/phone/internet. They have different providers for each service
and it varied around the country. This area gets phone services from White Fence and
Qwest is also trying to get phone services in this area. It seemed to be a mix up on who
does what. The people he talked to did not know who the real provider was going to be.
A lot of research would be needed.
Mr. Dunlap responded he would look into that and talk to Comcast.
Commissioner Jacobson was concerned when he talked to the service reps that they
would not provide information on the services until he set up an account and would like
to see that changed.
C. On Location Update
Mr. McHugh displayed the channel logos, including Channel 16 is On Location. He
distributed a handout, which included a list of programs produced this year. They varied
from plays to music to high school sports. They provide handouts to those interested in
viewing or purchasing the programs and how to get further information.
Mr. Dunlap added they are down one staff member, and are in the interview process to
replace that person.
Chair Huiras asked how many people are out televising? Mr. McHugh replied there are
two full time people (producer and manager), a half time program producer, and unfilled
position for program producer. Mr. McHugh fills in as a camera operator when there is a
need.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if that included Mr. Dunlap’s time? Mr. McHugh replied
he steps in to cover a Council meeting if there is a conflict with another event.
Chair Huiras asked what Mr. Dunlap was recording at Dakota Park recently? Mr. Dunlap
replied that was part of programming for Inside the Park, shown on channel 17. Mr. McHugh
had helped with the On Location group, and that Scott Smith has been spending much of his
time working on that crew.
D. Park WiFi Update
Mr. Dunlap stated the City had fallen behind on the project. They had a delay to make
sure they could get the pole location and aesthetics figured out, after feedback from
residents. All of the poles and cabinets installed will be brown. Phase I is not yet
completed. There are 15-17 poles yet to be installed and should be done by the end of
October. When that was complete, and the service tested, the people receiving the
service would begin to pay for it.
Commissioner Jacobson asked about the speed? Mr. Dunlap replied they were planning
on introducing it at 1 megabit, 3 megabits and 256 kilobits/second. .
Commissioner Jacobson asked what the test speed was? Mr. Dunlap replied he was
unsure, but could follow up.
Commissioner Browning asked how far they were from being done city-wide? Mr. Dunlap
replied they expect to work aggressively and get it done by November 30th. Most of the
work is done in Phase II and much of the work in Phase III. The Commission asked for a
map of the pole locations, but it is a dynamic and evolving map and there are areas in flux
where the phases are adjacent to each other. It will not be available until it was all built out.
Commissioner Browning asked if maps were available for the radio sites. Mr. Dunlap
replied he thought that could be done when the map was available. There are three
elements involved with pole location. One was being able to have a sight line to the sun,
the other was to be within the proper distance of a nearby pole to transmit the signal. To
finish the project by November 30th, they won’t be able to be quite so careful about
repositioning poles. Wherever they can, they will put these at intersections so they are
not in front of homes. Whenever it has to go in the middle of the block, and many of
them do, they try to put them on the property line.
Commissioner Jacobson indicated one of the biggest concerns was the pole position.
Mr. Dunlap stated readjusting the pole took a lot of time to reengineer and to finish by
November 30th, they won’t be able to reposition quite so many poles. People are being
notified about poles in writing. There will be a shorter time period of when they get
notice and the poles are done.
Commissioner Browning asked if there was an idea about how the performance has been
in the first quadrant? Mr. Dunlap replied he could follow up on that.
Chair Huiras commented at the last meeting he requested information on an early sign up
for Email accounts. He was able to do it and it was relatively simple.
7. New Business
A. Report on City Web Streaming Channels
Mr. Dunlap showed a graph of the last 4-5 months since channel 14 (School District)
started web streaming in May and channel 16 (On Location) started in July, and
immediately there was quite a bit of interest. Over the last three months there had been a
different one of the local channels having the most number of unique visitors. Channel
15 is the community TV channel, channel 17 is the civic channel and channel 96 is the
second community TV channel which typically shows the traffic map in the morning and
afternoon and special event programming or community announcements.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if there was a theme to what programs were asked for
more often? Mr. Dunlap replied they cover Council meetings on channel 17, which
would continue. Channel 16 probably has the least number of replays.
Chair Huiras asked how much programming do they get from outside, not produced by the
City? Mr. Dunlap replied sometimes they get programming from the State. They also get
programs from the City of Minneapolis (i.e. Public Health Journal). It was probably less
than 10% on Civic TV channel 17.
Mr. McHugh noted there was a fair amount of programming staff produced on
Community TV channel 15 and a fair amount produced by people that live in St. Louis
Park or belong to a St. Louis Park organization. There are also programs that are
requested by St. Louis Park residents.
Chair Huiras asked if someone had a DVD they requested be played, does staff review it
prior to play? Mr. McHugh replied only if they have no idea how long the program is.
They need to fill out an application form that they take responsibility for the program and
tell what the program is. When they can, they try to run the program as accurately as
possible, so he reviews the beginning and end. There were a few instances when he
hadn’t played a program. They don’t use prior restraint on programs, however.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if they had programming where people asked for things
they weren’t getting? Mr. McHugh replied an example would people who go to the
office and ask for a program. Staff requests them to bring in the program.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if they would get to the point where there would be so
much programming, they couldn’t put it all on and how they would make a decision what
to put on? Mr. McHugh replied a unique programming strategy they have for community
television is that the person requesting a program has to live or work in St. Louis Park or
belong to a St. Louis Park organization and the program about that organization. The
programming on the channel reflects the interest of the community or the initiative of
staff in producing it. They will accept up to four programs a month. People can also take
equipment classes and get advice how to produce programs.
Mr. Dunlap added that the average successful request per month for web streaming in
2006 were 360 and in 2007 to this point 456. Interest in the web site and watching video
from it, had continued to grow.
Mr. McHugh commented that the On Location channel 16 web stream is continuous play
back of channel 16 local programs when NASA TV is appearing on cable channel 16. If
there is a live space shuttle mission on NASA TV, the mission is shown on the cable
channel, and the local programming is shown on the web stream version of the channel.
8. Reports
A. Comcast Complaints
Commissioner Browning was curious about the complaint where the technician had gone
to work on a customer’s equipment and left before the problem was solved because they
were limited on their time for each problem and said the customer needed to make
another appointment. He was not aware that was a situation that would occur and it
didn’t sound right. There had also been a recurring problem with Microsoft Outlook and
its ability to work in conjunction with Comcast broadband. Had anyone successfully
fixed that for those people? Mr. Dunlap replied yes, that case had been resolved. It
required the customer to spend $50 and contact Microsoft support. A few Outlook
settings were adjusted and it had worked since.
Commissioner Browning asked if the technician should have known that or someone at
Comcast? Mr. Dunlap replied he was unsure.
Commissioner Browning asked about relative speed for broadband service and if there
was a specific speed test Comcast uses to make a determination? There are sites to
measure bandwidth and they yield different things. Mr. Dunlap replied he could ask
about this. In the case noted, it required a service call and the customer was satisfied and
performance had improved dramatically. It was in either the building or the drop wiring.
Commissioner Dworsky asked about complaint #8 and the volumes from the public
channels and there is no mixer for more than one channel. The reason given was because
they were running out of rack space. Is there a better explanation? Mr. Dunlap replied
regarding the equipment being referenced, that the person complained when they listen to
local channels, the audio could vary quite a bit. To get compressor/limiter equipment is
less expensive and smaller than it had been in the past, so they’ll have the space to add
this equipment. He had done some of the research to purchase this equipment, which
would help balance the audio levels on all the local channels. They expect to have that
done soon.
Chair Huiras indicated they were having the same problems since Comcast took over
(Emails, service, calls). Will Comcast be at the next meeting? Mr. Dunlap replied yes.
Commissioner Jacobson stated he tried to communicate with Comcast to find out
information and the numbers they provided lead to people out of state and he was not
able to get a local contact. He would like to see a way to contact local reps.
Chair Huiras stated they were also having problems with programming.
Commissioner Jacobson thought another issue that should be referred to the City attorney,
was requiring a social security number, and that you don’t have to give out your social
security number. Mr. McHugh stated at prior Commission meetings, representatives of the
cable company had said that if they could get the information they needed without getting a
social security number, they didn’t have to provide it. If they couldn’t then it was a condition
of service. It varies depending on how easily they can do a credit check on someone.
Commissioner Jacobson said it was printed on the web site somewhere that Comcast
requires all customers to provide their social security number when submitting an order
for service.
Commissioner Jacobson added when he was trying to provide information for a service
representative asking for account information, he had to sign up for an account or they
wouldn’t talk to him about their services.
Chair Huiras asked if there was anything in the franchise agreement regarding these
issues? Mr. Dunlap replied nothing about that specifically. If it was unlawful, they
would have to stop doing it. He would do some research on this issue.
Chair Huiras asked if there was anything in the agreement in regard to customer service?
Mr. Dunlap replied there was not a lot of material about customer service, mostly general
information. Time Warner had wholeheartedly resisted any specifics during the franchise
renewal talks. One of the approaches some franchises take is if “x” happens, then there
shall be a result such as a fine. They weren’t successful getting anything like that. Cable
companies counter that they compete with other providers for service and should have
flexibility to determine how their customer service works.
Chair Huiras requested Comcast answer to this at the next meeting. Had they received a
check for fees recently? When was the last franchise fee payment the City had received?
Mr. Dunlap replied at the end of June, approximately $120,000.
Chair Huiras asked what happened to prove that $120,000 was the correct amount? One
of their points had been that they had no counts or information regarding subscibership in
St. Louis Park. How do they know how accurate that $120,000 was? Mr. Dunlap replied
Comcast provides a detailed sheet of information supporting why they came up with that
figure. He can provide that upon request.
Chair Huiras requested that be included in their packets.
Mr. McHugh noted the information does not have specific subscriber numbers, it had
subscriber revenues for different categories of service.
Chair Huiras asked how they knew the revenue was correct without the counts? Mr.
McHugh responded they would have to do an audit, which can be done every two years.
Commissioner Peterson asked when the last audit was. Mr. Dunlap replied he would
have to check.
9. Communication from the Chair
10. Communications from City Staff
Commissioner Dworsky reported on the National Association of Telecommunications
Officers & Advisors (NATOA) conference in Portland. A concern was the conversion
from analog to digital over the air broadcast TV which would happening in 2009. Cable
and satellite customers would not be impacted. A web site (www.dtv.gov) will be available
in January through the National Telecommunications Information Administration at the
Department of Commerce (888-388-2009). Boxes will cost about $70/set, and the federal
government has a program where each household will get two $40 coupons to use toward
the purchase of the converter boxes. There was a lot of talk at the conference about
broadband and fiber to the home and how to best apply it to each community. Mr.
Dworsky plans to prepare a written report for Commissioners.
Mr. McHugh indicated he distributed information to the neighborhood groups and to the
faith community groups. The production plan went with the studio information sheet.
They are planning to do ads in the student newspaper promoting Park TV. There was
also an information sheet mailed to the faith communities and non public schools
publicizing doing announcements on cable television. He also distributed a list of
programs produced on community television.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if there was a desire to have residents produce programs?
Mr. McHugh replied yes. They plan to use other publications (Park and Rec. brochure)
to publicize that opportunity to residents. There are also promotions running on the
channels. Promotion will be ongoing.
Commissioner Jacobson asked if more could be put into Park Perspective? Mr. McHugh
replied they inquired about the price of a single page insert and they should be able to
know what that is and what is allowable for future issues.
Commissioner Jacobson asked what the percentage was of resident produced programs
versus staff produced? Mr. McHugh replied he could provide that information at the next
meeting. Weekend programming often has local faith community programs.
11. Adjournment
It was moved by Commissioner Dworsky, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson to
adjourn the meeting at 8:16 PM.
The motion passed 7-0.
Respectfully submitted by:
Amy L. Stegora-Peterson
Recording Secretary