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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/12/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK CABLE TV ADVISORY COMMISSION DECEMBER 9, 1999 --7:00 P.M. ST. LOUIS CITY HALL - FIRST FLOOR COMMUNITY ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, John Herbert, Ken Huiras, Mary Jean Overend MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert Jacobson STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator; and Shirley Olson, Recording Secretary ALSO PRESENT: Arlen Mattern, Public Affairs Administrator, Time Warner 1. Call to Order - Roll Call Chair Huiras called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: All current members of the Commission, except Robert Jacobson were present. 3. Approval of Minutes: It was moved by Bruce Browning, seconded by Mary Jean Overend, to approve the minutes of October 7, 1999 meeting of the Cable TV Advisory Commission with a minor correction. Motion carried unanimously. Bruce Browning asked that “Bob Browning” be changed to “Bob Jacobson” in paragraph 11 of section 5. 4. Adoption of Agenda: Chair Huiras recommended that agenda be adopted with addition of Old Business item. The Commission concurred. 5. New Business A. Time Warner rate adjustments The Commission reviewed the Time Warner letter of 11/24/99 from Kim Roden regarding rate adjustments and changes in the channel line up. John Herbert was concerned that the increase didn’t provide very much improvement of service. Arlen Mattern, Time Warner explained that programming and system improvements required by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines were driving the increase. Bruce Browning questioned what satellite was delivering, what the price was and if they negotiated better than cable. Arlen Mattern, Time Warner indicated that Mark Hammerstrom was currently reviewing this matter and that corporate and the number of programmers and subscribers affect the satellite system. He indicated that David Auger was the new Division President in Administration and working on the digital services for cable programming. Mary Jean Overend asked what percent of cable customers had basic cable package and what was the amount projected for the future. Arlen Mattern, Time Warner indicated that currently approximately 11-12% of the total subscribers in St. Louis Park have basic and the future will depend on what number of people recognize what they can get with basic cable. Reg Dunlap asked if Time Warner was establishing any initiative for residents to sign-up. Arlen Mattern believed there would be an introductory special for the upgrade. Reg Dunlap asked what would replace the TV Guide Channel that was being discontinued. Arlen Mattern stated that with the upgrade there will be an interactive channel guide, the super-preview channel and would need a converter box. Reg Dunlap asked what the plan was for the full time Leased Access Channel 23. Arlen Mattern said that it would be infomercials produced by Guthy-Renker. John Herbert questioned what services would be offered with digital and would like to see composite output available. Dale Hartman was concerned about the decrease in the number of channels available and that the pay per view didn’t have information that you could look at to determine programming. Arlen Mattern indicated that customers who used a converter would have the access to the highest number of channels. John Herbert was concerned that with the TV Guide Channel, Time Warner would be in violation of the City’s franchise ordinance (9-721, paragraph 4) and recommended that this be investigated. Reg Dunlap, indicated that he would consult the City Manager's office to determine how to proceed. Reg Dunlap questioned the steep price increase for converter boxes from $2.53 to $3.39. Arlen Mattern indicated that Time Warner was buying new digital and advanced analog converter boxes. Ken Huiras asked when the upgrade would take place in St. Louis Park and when Roadrunner would be available. Arlen Mattern indicated that the upgrade would occur in late spring or early summer and Roadrunner would be available at that time. He stated that Mike Fox of Time Warner was the head of Roadrunner and working on the details of access and pricing. The Commission briefly discussed the elements and benefits of Roadrunner. B. Discuss annual Commission report to Council and 2000 Work Plan The Commission reviewed the list of topics for the 2000 Work Plan and recommended adding the following items for discussion: • Time Warner interactive channel guide • Adding fixed income to the Needs Assessment as it relates to Vision St. Louis Park C. Plan meeting schedule for 2000, propose dates for joint meeting with City Council The Commission reviewed the proposed 2000 Cable TV Commission Work Plan and selected dates for each meeting (January 27, February/March: Joint meeting with City Council, April 13th, May 18th, August 10th, October 19th, December 7). The Commission recommended the following changes: • Holding the annual meeting in January instead of February • Moving the futurist presentation on telecommunications industry and trends from April to May. • Holding the Joint meeting with the School District in April. • Adding an October meeting if needed. 6. Old Business The Commission members who attended the telecommunications conference recently held in Bloomington shared about the conference and indicated that the information that was presented was beneficial. 7. Reports - None 8. Communications from the Chair - None 9. Communications from City Staff Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator reviewed the Discussion List of St. Louis Park Cable Refranchising Issues and presented a brief review of the Time Warner cable complaints logged by city staff. Reg Dunlap gave a brief staff report of miscellaneous items. 10. Adjournment With no other business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Bruce Browning, seconded by Rick Dworsky to adjourn at 8:52 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Shirley Olson Recording Secretary ATTEST: Reg Dunlap Civic TV Coordinator City of St. Louis Park