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Home My WebLink About2001/12/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 6, 2001 AT 7:00 p.m. ST. LOUIS PARK CITY HALL, WESTWOOD ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, Ken Huiras, and Bob Jacobson MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Jean Overend STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator and John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator OTHERS PRESENT: Arlen Mattern, Time Warner Cable Public Affairs Administrator and Linda Samson, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order Chair Huiras called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present at roll call were Commissioners Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, Bob Jacobson, and Chair Ken Huiras; Time Warner Cable Public Affairs Administrator Arlen Mattern; City Staff Reg Dunlap and John McHugh; and Recording Secretary Linda Samson. 3. Approval of Minutes for October 11, 2001 The minutes were approved as presented with the following changes: Chair Huiras asked that elderly folks be changed to senior citizens on Page 5, top paragraph, Line 3. Chiar Huiras noted Commissioner Jacobson’s second to adjourn the meeting was omitted from Item 10, Adjournment. It was moved by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Hartman, to approve the minutes. The motion passed 5-0. 4. Adoption of Agenda It was moved by Commissioner Jacobson, seconded by Commissioner Browning, to approve the agenda. The motion passed 5-0. 5. New Business 5a. Time Warner Cable new rates and changes in channel lineups Arlen Mattern, Time Warner Cable Public Affairs Administrator, reported on changes to the Time Warner channel lineup and its rates. Mr. Mattern said basic cable has increased .62¢, the standard package has increased from $1.12 to $1.74 for an increase of 5% as of January 1, 2002. Channel lineup changes take effect on December 28, 2001, and channel 98 will be added on that date. Chair Huiras asked what the objective of swapping channels 5 and 12 is? Mr. Mattern is unsure but he noted both channels are on basic cable. Commissioner Browning asked if digital service is necessary in order to receive any premium services, and Mr. Mattern responded, no. Mr. Mattern added, effective December 28, 2001, one can have a premium channel as long as one has a DHCT, subscribes to a premium channel, and has the Navigator program guide. Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator, said he is concerned by the statement that all premium channels might migrate to digital, however, there is plenty of time shifting capability because Time Warner offers 14 HBO channels. Initially, Mr. Mattern was concerned about the price increase for the converter box and the migration of the premium channels from analogue to digital, however, the premium channels are available as long as one subscribes to a DHCT and has a navigator; and Mr. Mattern said prices for premium channels remain unchanged. Commissioner Dworsky requested Mr. Mattern to provide samples of Time Warner’s boxes, etc. at future Commission meetings. Commissioner Browning asked if the problems associated with digital service and with the 2000 boxes have been resolved, and Mr. Mattern replied, yes. Commissioner Browning also asked if the increase in price is a programming issue? Mr. Mattern said programming, hardware, training, and overall expenses are responsible. Commissioner Dworsky noted it is a 6% increase. Commissioner Hartman asked if the digital package includes basic cable. Mr. Mattern responded it includes basic and standard cable. It was noted the price for Road Runner is $44.95, and the price increase of August 2001 has not significantly impacted the number of subscribers lost or gained. Mr. Dunlap distributed copies of a handout, provided by Mr. Mattern, on frequently asked questions regarding downgrading service and postponement of cable service for snowbirds, which is called vacation rate option. John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator, distributed copies of a handout regarding information slated to appear on channel 96. The information states: Within 30 days after a notice of price changes in one’s cable service, a subscriber is allowed to obtain a change in service tiers at no additional charge. The handout addresses the vacation rate option for customers with a converter or digital box on each television, a limit of five months is imposed. Mr. Mattern stated the price for the digital or analog box and digital or analog remote will be $5.95 as of January 2002, however, he will verify that price. The price for the navigator will remain unchanged, and the digital access fee on the second box is $1.95 as opposed to the bundled price. Commissioners will be updated on prices via e-mail. Chair Huiras asked Mr. Mattern if Time Warner’s billing system is fully operational, and Mr. Mattern said the billing system is being updated. Chair Huiras would like to see digital and Road Runner bundled. Chair Huiras asked Mr. Mattern to extend the Commission’s appreciation to Deb Squire, Time Warner Cable Director of Customer Service, for her informative presentation to the Commission at the October 11, 2001 meeting. Mr. Dunlap asked about the format of the billing statements, and Mr. Mattern said one will see changes on a statement if one has a package. Commissioner Browning asked if a sample bill, before and after the system update, could be furnished to the Commission and Mr. Mattern responded, yes. Commissioner Jacobson asked Mr. Mattern if outage reports have a new format, and he said they do not. 5b. Set meeting schedule for 2002 The meeting schedule for 2002 is: Thursday February 21 Thursday May 9 Thursday August 15 Thursday October 17 Thursday December 5 Tentatively, the Commission would like to meet with the City Council at a Study Session in March 2002. Mr. Dunlap will keep the Commission informed of the City Council’s direction on the meeting. A Telecommunications Commission report is generally due every March. 5c. Brainstorm work plan for 2002 Subject matters for the 2002 work plan may or will include renewal issues, since the St. Louis Park franchise will expire in 2005 and the renewal negotiation window opens in February 2002. The Commission also deliberated on future subjects: for February 2002, review of previous year, programming partners for senior citizens, enlightening the public and seniors about the benefits of cable television, and franchise renewal; for May 2002, address grants and partnerships, interns and school district issues. Commissioner Jacobson asked if issues regarding new technology should be included in the work plan. Mr. Dunlap stated Commissioners may attend conferences to learn about new technology and its issues. 6. Old Business 6a. Auditing Time Warner Cable franchise fees Mr. Dunlap asked that auditing Time Warner Cable franchise fees be added to the agenda because the motion specifically stated that something occur in December and the request for proposal was not prepared in time for this to happen. Mr. Dunlap hopes it is suitable for an amended motion as soon to “as soon as practical for Time Warner and Staff.” Mr. Dunlap would like to send out the request for proposal, and the Finance Director and Staff would pick from the proposals; after that point, the Telecommunications Commission would become involved. An auditor will be involved as well as a Time Warner representative. It was moved by Commissioner Dworsky, seconded by Commissioner Browning, to amend and extend the deadline from December to February for further information. The motion passed 5-0. 6b. School District Funding Chair Huiras would like information from the School District regarding quarterly programming information and what is being shown. It was moved by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, to ask the School District to furnish information on quarterly programming and its contents. Chair Huiras is specifically requesting information on titles, length, and frequency. Mr. McHugh said some information was received from the School District in June 2001, and he suggested asking for a year-end summary from the School District. It was moved by ChairHuiras, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, to request a year-end summary and quarterly moving forward. Chair Huiras would like to know what the School District is doing with the $50,000 grant awarded to them. Mr. Dunlap reported Mr. Tom Marble had stated the School District has an account code to account for expenditures and can provide this information. It was moved by Commissioner Browning that the Commission be supplied with reports or usages as to franchise fees to include equipment and purchase date. Chair Huiras also stated the School District supplied the Commission with an inventory report last year, and the Commission is anticipating their annual request for franchise fees. When that request is made, Chair Huiras would like information on their updated inventory. Mr. Dunlap will issue a letter to the School District regarding the updated inventory information. 7. Reports—None 8. Communications from the Chair—None 9. Communications from Staff—Mr. Dunlap requested the Commissioners anonymously fill out and return to him immediately a diversity form questionnaire. 10. Adjournment It was moved by Commissioner Browning, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m. The motion passed 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Linda Samson Recording Secretary