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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/12/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - Regular Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission December 8, 1998 Page 1 APPROVED NOTES OF THE ST. LOUIS PARK CABLE TV ADVISORY COMMISSION DECEMBER 8, 1998 − 6:30 P.M. ST. LOUIS PARK CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Ken Huiras and Mary Jean Overend MEMBERS ABSENT: Bruce Browning, Robert Jacobson, and Anthony Raiber STAFF PRESENT: Clint Pires, Deputy City Manager; Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator; and Rebecca Belz, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Arlen Mattern of Paragon Cable 1. Call to Order: Vice Chair Huiras called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Vice Chair Huiras requested roll be called. Bruce Browning, Robert Jacobson, and Chair Anthony Raiber were absent. Vice Chair Huiras acknowledged for the record that there was no voting quorum in attendance and requested the attending members discuss items for information only. 3. Approval of Minutes of September 22, 1998: Vice Chair Huiras reported no vote would be taken due to the lack of quorum. 4. Adoption of Agenda: Vice Chair Huiras reported no vote would be taken due to the lack of quorum. No changes were noted. 5. Paragon Cable Items: A. Update on New Services and Rates for 1999: Mr. Arlen Mattern was present to report on various business items regarding Paragon Cable. Mr. Mattern began by informing the Commission of programs Paragon has worked on through the year. They included: * Paragon Cable had sponsored an exhibit with Gordon Parks in St. Paul. * Paragon awarded five youth service awards, two of which were given to St. Louis Park residents. * Paragon sponsored a summit on Hate Crimes. * Paragon has been working with a company who teaches Spanish to provide better customer service to their Spanish speaking customers. Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission December 8, 1998 Page 2 * Paragon held a contest in conjunction with Knowledge TV where a student was to nominate a teacher for using technology in the classroom. Both the student and teacher were awarded scholarships. * Paragon has most recently been facilitating the “Tackle Hunger” food drive and awarded Vikings tickets to the first 1,000 people who donated a crate of food. To-date, 22,000 pounds of food has been donated. Mr. Mattern then reported that no new services have been introduced for St. Louis Park for 1999. He did note that channels 23 and 8 have been switched. Question was raised as to why new services were not planned for 1999 and Mr. Mattern reportedly did not know why. Rates for standard service was reported to rise $1.78 and rates for basic cable will decrease $ .27 beginning January 1, 1999. Mr. Dunlap added that the 4.9% increase remains within the norm across the nation. Mr. Dunlap continued that equipment rental fees would increase from $2.19 a month to $2.53. Question was raised to Mr. Mattern regarding the equipment rental increase to which Mr. Mattern answered that repair and replacement of older cable boxes was the cause. B. Subscriber Survey Results: Mr. Mattern inquired whether there were any questions to be discussed in addition to staffs previously written questions. It was later acknowledged that both staff’s questions to Paragon and Paragon’s answers were shared with the Commission. No questions were addressed at this time. C. NASA/MNDOT Update: Mr. Mattern reported to the Commission that he did not have adequate information regarding NASA/MNDOT. Question was asked of Mr. Mattern whether other service areas receive NASA and or MNDOT channels. Mr. Mattern confirmed that other areas do indeed receive the channels, however, did not know specifically what areas. Discussion then returned to the Subscriber Survey and several various topics. Some of the questions asked of Mr. Mattern and discussed within the group included the following: * Commissioner Overend noted that older individuals surveyed were not asked what channels or information they would be interested in viewing. She believed this to be an important question to ask every participant, particularly the older population. Mr. Mattern attempted to respond to Commissioner Overend’s comments by noting that particular kind of information can skew a survey and was avoided in this survey. Mr. McHugh added that there were opportunities in the survey to voice preferred viewing and was actually a place where as many as 10 “other” channels were listed. Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission December 8, 1998 Page 3 * Deputy City Manager Pires inquired about Internet access and if Paragon had any additional information about offering the service. Mr. Mattern responded that to his knowledge, testing had not started. * The Year 2000 compliance issue was also addressed and Mr. Mattern reported that they would be in compliance and will forward a report to Mr. Pires to confirm the information. * Mr. McHugh asked Mr. Mattern whether he had brought a copy of “talking points” distributed for the customer service representatives’ information about the planned changes. Mr. Mattern responded that none would be prepared for 1999, however he could forward one from 1998. * Mr. McHugh also asked Mr. Mattern whether Paragon planned to establish a web site in 1999. Mr. Mattern replied that there were no plans that he knew of. * Mr. McHugh requested a generic schedule of regular playback times to alert Commissioners for “Inside Paragon” replays. Before closing the discussion with Mr. Mattern, Mr. Dunlap distributed two complaint letters and suggested the Commission review questions about any complaints with Mr. Mattern. The Commission and Mr. Mattern briefly reviewed the letters and the complaint log included in the packet with little discussion. Mr. Mattern was excused from the meeting at 7:40 p.m. 6. Old Business: A. School District Funding for 1999: Mr. Dunlap described a discussion with Mr. Gerald Burt, the School District Media Technician, asking that the $7,500 camcorder grant be forwarded to the District as soon as possible if approved by the Commission and City Council. Mr. Burt and Mr. Dunlap also discussed the possibility of a funds “match” in the future. It was suggested that this item be added to the 1999 work plan for additional discussion. Mr. Dunlap informed the Commission that an Equipment Grant of $86,000 was due from Paragon at the beginning of January. Vice Chair Huiras suggested that these two items as well as items B and C listed on the agenda be added to the next agenda for discussion by all the members of the Commission. 7. New Business: A. Set Meeting Schedule for 1999: Notes of the Cable TV Advisory Commission December 8, 1998 Page 4 Mr. Dunlap distributed a draft of the 1999 Cable TV Commission Work Plan that outlined a possible meeting schedule. With some discussion, members present decided to meet Monday, January 25, 1999. There was also discussion regarding new members and if any individuals had been chosen to replace missing members. It was noted that other commissions have vacancies and staff is working on the recruiting process. The possible Commission name change was briefly addressed. Mr. Pires suggested the Commission define the scope/role of the Commission to present to Council to assist in the voting process - should the Commission vote in favor of the name change. 8. Reports: No report was given. 9. Communications from Chair: No report was given due to his absence. 10. Communications from City Staff: No report given. 11. Adjournment: With no other discussion to come before the members, discussion was adjourned at 8:23p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca L. Belz Recording Secretary ATTEST: Reg Dunlap Civic TV Coordinator City of St. Louis Park