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Home My WebLink About2000/12/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK CITIZENS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMISSION DECEMBER 7, 2000 --7:00 P.M. ST. LOUIS PARK CITY HALL SECOND FLOOR, NORTH #1 CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky (arrived at 7:12 p.m.) John Herbert, Ken Huiras, and Robert Jacobson, Mary Jean Overend MEMBERS ABSENT: Dale Hartman, John Herbert STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator, John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator, and Shirley Olson, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Arlen Mattern, Public Affairs Administrator, Time Warner 1. Call to Order Chair Huiras called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. Roll Call All current members of the Commission except Dale Hartman and John Herbert were present. 3. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Robert Jacobson, seconded by Ken Huiras, to approve the meeting minutes of October 19, 2000 of the Cable TV Advisory Commission. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Adoption of the Agenda It was moved by Bruce Browning, seconded by Robert Jacobson, to adopt the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 5. New Business A. Time Warner rate adjustments Arlen Mattern, Public Affairs Administrator, Time Warner reviewed a letter dated 11/27/00 from Kim Roden, Vice President of Public Affairs and 2001 Rate Summary. He distributed a new channel line-up, explained how the Digital line- up was laid out and said the added value package (Sundance, MoviePlex) would be discontinued as a separate tier and added to the digital line-up. Mary Jean Overend questioned what basic users were going to receive as a result of the price increase. Telecommunications Commission Minutes December 7, 2000 Page 2 Mr. Mattern stated that the basic users would receive 29 channels instead of 22 channels. Chair Huiras asked the reason for the realignment. Mr. Mattern stated that the contractual agreement required a different service. Reg Dunlap questioned why Disney was still a premium channel, when it was widely reported that it would move to the standard tier. Mr. Mattern explained that he didn’t believe that anything would happen soon in St. Louis Park and that eventually Disney may go to the Digital tier, as it is in New Ulm. Ms. Overend believed it was important to educate the public as to how to make an informed decision and make choices related to cable and suggested that more literature be made available. Mr. Mattern stated that that Time Warner has mailed marketing brochures that indicated advantages of digital services. Mr. McHugh asked what the cost allocation was for the 22% increase ($1.59) in Basic cable. Mr. Mattern reviewed the 2001 Rate Summary, which included increases of $1.12 for FCC Form 1235 (upgrade related), $ .65 from FCC Form 1240, $ .21 for inflation and $ .11 for increases in programming. Mr. Jacobson asked what would happened if some users dropped the service after the increase. Mr. Mattern indicated that some drop was normal and expected. Ms. Overend asked if there were any comparables available with other municipalities and Mr. Jacobson asked how Time Warner compared with other cable companies related to acceptance and usage. Mr. Mattern said that Minneapolis had a low penetration about 48%, but that most suburbs are at about 68%. Mr. Dunlap said that the company had improved this rate dramatically in St. Louis Park, from 48% to the current level about 68%. Mr. Mattern said that part of the reason for the recent influx of calls and complaints was that digital services were selling very well, and that a new call Center located in Two Harbors has come on line to help handle calls. Mr. Dunlap noted that the social contract would end in 2001. He questioned what the impact would be on St. Louis Park. Telecommunications Commission Minutes December 7, 2000 Page 3 Mr. Mattern stated that St. Louis Park public schools are all wired, and most have Roadrunner (high speed internet access) available. The Commission reviewed the complaints and noted that the resident complaint from Victoria Ponds has been resolved. Mr. Dworsky said he’s seen open cabinets with exposed wiring on Texas and close to Highway 394 and Cedar Lake Road, and wondered if that was Time Warner or someone else. Mr. Mattern did not know. B. Set meeting schedule for 2001 The Commission agreed to continue to hold meetings on Thursdays in 2001. C. Work Plan brainstorming for 2001 The Commission reviewed the draft of the 2001 Telecommunications Commission Work Plan and agreed to the following meeting schedule: January 25, 2001 – Annual Meeting: Election of Officers, Review Annual Commission Report to City Council, Everest, WOW recommendation to Council. March 12th - Joint Meeting with City Council: Education session, and invite to attend future of Telecommunications. May 10 – School District funding for 2001, NASA channel update, High Definition TV & Must Carry rules, and Legislative update. August 9th: Review Time Warner Annual Filings & Social Contract (required) annual report. October 11th – If needed, any follow-up items December 6th – Time Warner presentation on new cable rates and/or changes in the channel line up, High Definition TV & Must Carry Rules. 6. Old Business A. Non Public Schools Funding John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator explained that funding was in the budget for 2001 and the pilot project at Torah Academy is continuing. He indicated that he will be contacting more schools and requested that Commissioners forward any opinions to his office. B. Needs Assessment Update Telecommunications Commission Minutes December 7, 2000 Page 4 John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator indicated that he would be attending the upcoming City Council Study Session when surveys will be discussed. He noted that local programming is valued, that after hours email contact is valued and that any new provider should meet these needs in their proposals. Mr. Jacobson noted that it was important to point out that overall the majority of those surveyed were satisfied. C. Competitive cable franchising proposal from Everest John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator explained that the City was awaiting more input and a proposal from Everest on local production, and that they could partner with Time Warner or the High School. Regarding the Institutional Network, their proposal needs to be good for 15 years, and the City has proposed the same number of sites passed by Time Warner’s I-Net. Mr. McHugh indicated that the Creighton, Bradley and Guzzetta Report on Everest would be placed in record as Exhibit B and that the report didn’t discover any reason not to franchise Everest. D. Competitive cable franchising proposal from Wide Open West Mr. McHugh informed the Commission that a conference call was scheduled 12/13/00 at 1:00 p.m with WOW to discuss specifics. He stated that he would e- mail checklist of WOW proposed changes to the Commission. Bob Jacobson asked about the WOW report and proposal. Mr. McHugh said that their proposal will have to change and that they’ll need to sharpen their pencils. 7. Reports - None 8. Communications from Chair - None 9. Communications from City Staff Reg Dunlap informed the Commission that a draft of the annual report will be supplied in the next meeting packet. He invited the Commissioners to a MACTA legislative luncheon planned for January 19, 2001. 10. Adjournment With no other business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Bruce Browning to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Shirley Olson Recording Secretary Telecommunications Commission Minutes December 7, 2000 Page 5 ATTEST: Reg Dunlap Civic TV Coordinator City of St. Louis Park