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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/02/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2015 ST. LOUIS PARK COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Maren Anderson, Bruce Browning, Dale Hartman, Cindy Hoffman, Toby Keeler (via audio call), Rolf Peterson, and Andrew Reinhardt MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator 1. Call to Order Chair Browning called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 2. Roll Call Present at roll call were Commissioners Anderson, Browning, Hartman, Hoffman, Keeler, Peterson and Reinhardt. 3. Approval of Minutes for December 9, 2014 Chair Browning clarified that item 6A meant no charge if you were downgrading a service if there was no in home call. Mr. Dunlap said yes. Chair Browning quoted from the minutes that “some of the services that were no longer available—“ and asked which services we were talking about? Mr. Dunlap said he didn’t recall the specific packages, but that some aren’t available to new customers. Chair Browning asked if price increases been posted on the city web site? Mr. Dunlap said he didn’t remember, but that was his intent and would post a full price list when it was available. It was moved by Commissioner Reinhardt, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the minutes of December 9, 2014, as amended. The motion passed 7-0. 4. Adoption of Agenda It was moved by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the agenda. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Public Comment - None 6. Reports and Discussion A. Franchise fee audit report and proposed settlement Mr. Dunlap stated that the selection committee included Brian Swanson, City Financial Controller, Commissioners Keeler and Browning and himself. The draft report showed Comcast offered to pay $6,225 as underpayments over the three-year period of time due to the HD technology fee excluded from bundles. Based on the review of Dick Treich of Front Range Consulting, Inc., he estimated the under payment was between $10,700 and $12,700. The Comcast representative, Emmett Coleman, said Comcast would offer $8,000, but preferred it be included as part of a franchise transfer proposal. The audit committee believed a settlement was the best route. Chair Browning asked how many other Commissions had approved a franchise transfer so far? Mr. Dunlap replied quite a few: Southwest Suburban, Northwest Cable Consortium, Minneapolis and Bloomington, who felt their new franchise was better than their old one. St. Paul had not approved yet. Chair Browning believed the audit was straightforward and he concurred with Brian Grogan that it made sense to move the way they had. B. Comcast draft transfer resolution Mr. Dunlap indicated staff was asking the Commission to approve the Comcast franchise transfer with conditions, based on approval of federal agencies reviewing Comcast’s proposed purchase of Time Warner. He discussed the MACTA Financial review, GreatLand Connections and the impact on customers if the franchise transfer was approved as well as what other communities had approved. Most franchise authorities in the Twin Cities had approved the transfer with conditions. Recommended conditions include: No price increase for customers because of the transfer; quarterly meeting to address subscriber issues for 2 years; continuation of an escalated complaint program; quarterly reports to verify compliance with FCC customer service standards regarding answering calls, wait times, hold times; and, one HD channel for Park TV later this year, and a second HD channel one year later if requested. Mr. Dunlap thanked Commissioners Keeler and Browning for their help. They would be sending this to the February 17th City Council meeting. Commissioner Hoffman asked if Charter Communications would do the customer service and if they had any idea of their past performance? Mr. Dunlap replied there was no information. There was a pledge from Keith Hall, customer service, who thought customers would be happy because there were no off-shore customer service call centers. Commissioner Anderson asked what conditions other communities asked for? Mr. Dunlap replied they requested HD channels and access to the electronic programming guide. The electronic program guide is the way people are watching TV these days, especially with DVR’s. There are also conditions customized for each community, and our example is pushing for the call center records. Commissioner Keeler asked if the Government affairs staff would be from Charter or GreatLand? Mr. Dunlap replied he was unsure. The Escalation group is going to be retained, but the administration will be Charter. Mr. McHugh asked if it was accurate to say on page 3, the adding of HD channel had changed slightly? Mr. Dunlap replied yes, the full resolution hadn’t been provided to the Commission. Commissioner Peterson noted a family member who works for Charter was dreading their change to Comcast, which was interesting to hear. He said staff had done good work on this. Commissioner Browning asked what happened if they denied the transfer? Mr. Dunlap replied it would end up in court, which would be expensive. They would be transferring in all surrounding communities and that would make them a “doughnut hole.” There would be no advantage to doing that. Most communities have approved the transfer. Commissioner Hoffman asked if customers would have to get a new box? Mr. Dunlap replied not immediately, the X1 boxes are the newest and are compatible with Charter technology, but down the road there would probably be other changes. In the next few years there may be a channel realignment to fit the Charter channel assignments. DTA’s may need to be changed. Chair Browning asked the timeline for customers to retain their Email addresses? Mr. Dunlap responded they were generous about that. They will support addresses one full year and then transfer to new Email address. There might be an additional period of time after that. Chair Browning asked if Charter has an app for Email? Mr. Dunlap was unsure. They will have an opportunity to modify some features like that during the transition period. It was moved by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Hartman, to support the terms of the franchise transfer as presented with the conditions listed. The motion passed 7-0. C. CenturyLink intent to franchise Mr. Dunlap stated there was a meeting about CenturyLink’s intent to get a video franchise from St. Louis Park. The first step was the intent to franchise and they would do that in the next month. They were working out the details with the City Attorney now. There will be a demonstration of their Prism TV service next week and Commissioners are invited. Chair Browning asked if it was their intent to put fiber to the home throughout the City? Mr. Dunlap replied no, they were pushing forward with 1 gig service but it wouldn’t be available in the entire city and they don’t need any city approval to do that. But, they need a franchise to offer video service where their system allows it. Chair Browning asked if it was probably too early to know what areas of the city might be eligible for fiber to the home? Mr. Dunlap replied they showed them a map for the 1 gig service, but it was not fiber to the home. They use existing phone line for the last 100 feet or so. Commissioner Peterson said last November CenturyLink was trying to sell the 1 gig service and were checking the interest in it. Chair Browning noted that their web site shows they only offer 40 megabit service, but are enticing people on their web site that it might become available at some point. He would like them to come to Commission meeting and give them more information about the process. D. Federal Communications Commission update on key issues Mr. Dunlap indicated there were two big issues that were inter-related, net neutrality and the announcement by the FCC Chair to recommend that the FCC use Title 2 regulations for internet service henceforth and apply the regulations to mobile phone internet service. He explained that Title 2 means you are essentially a common carrier. Internet service providers in the last 5-10 years have been de-regulated, which was why net neutrality raised its head. One of the controversies was about Netflix, and the concern that Comcast was providing slow service for Netflix users. The final vote on Title 2 will be February 26, and specifics should be available soon. The goal is to keep the internet as open as possible for innovation, but protect the businesses that wanted to use it for services. The FCC Chairman’s goal is to keep the internet as open as possible. Chair Browning attended the NATOA conference, and the FCC Chairman was one of the speakers. He hoped the Chairman could push this through, and thought the proposals were a good idea. E. Park TV programming report for 2015 Chair Browning said that they do a spectacular job on the programming. Mr. Dunlap wanted to show how many programs were produced last year by ParkTV staff and the number of hours. It was not easy to find because there was a lot of overlap. The report gives a clear idea of the variety of programs and who was producing them. Chair Browning asked if someone doesn’t have conventional cable TV, where can they see programs? Mr. Dunlap replied all Park TV channels are streamed live at ParkTV.org. Mr. McHugh distributed a program list for 2014 and the beginning of 2015. F. Complaints Chair Browning noted most complaints were similar to the past. Mr. Dunlap noted there were only five complaints in six weeks. Commissioner Peterson asked about #6. Mr. Dunlap replied the customer was still dissatisfied with the way it was handled. The second technician didn’t know the first had been there, but both worked for Comcast. It was an unusual circumstance. 7. Communication from the Chair, Commissioners and City Staff Mr. McHugh promoted an upcoming blood drive on February 13 and said there are still open slots. 8. Adjournment Commissioner Keeler made a motion, Commission Peterson seconded to adjourn at 7:44. The motion passed 7-0. Respectfully submitted by: Amy L. Stegora-Peterson Recording Secretary