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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/12/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularUNOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2011 ST. LOUIS PARK COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, Toby Keeler, Mike Mulligan and Rolf Peterson MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Theobald STAFF PRESENT: Jamie Zwilling, Communications Coordinator and Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator 1. Call to Order Chair Mulligan called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 2. Roll Call Present at roll call were Commissioners Browning, Dworsky, Hartman, Keeler, Mulligan and Peterson. 3. Approval of Minutes for October 6, 2011 Commissioner Browning noted a misspelling and wording correction. It was moved by Commissioner Keeler, seconded by Commissioner Browning, to approve the minutes of October 6, 2011, as amended. The motion passed 6-0. 4. Adoption of Agenda 5. Public Comment - None 6. New Business A. Comcast presentation on changes in the channel lineup Mr. Dunlap put together a summary of the changes. There is no price increase at this point. One positive development is that people who are receiving the digital economy service for about $30/month can now can get a number of HD channels as part of that tier by paying a $10 fee to get the HD technology. Chair Mulligan asked if it was it optional for those with the digital economy tier to upgrade to HD and have that $10 technology fee? Mr. Dunlap replied yes, it was optional. Mr. Dunlap said that there are three channels added to the Hispanic and MultiLatino tiers, and one channel that will be lost because it’s being discontinued. Several other channels will move or be added to the various tiers. On January 5th, Turner Classic Movies will be moved from the digital starter package to the digital preferred tier, which will be bad news for some folks, and I’ve received one call about this already. Lance Leupold wasn’t able to attend tonight but in an email said there are other options for classic movies on the digital starter package, like MoviePlex, Lifetime Movie Network and Hallmark. The City has no authority over the channels being moved, but the City does take complaints about this and other items, and Mr. Dunlap’s phone number is located on every cable TV bill so customers can find it. Commissioner Browning said that MeTV stands for Memorable Entertainment Television, appears to be programmed out of Chicago and carries lots of old sitcoms like Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke Show and the Odd Couple. B. Review draft annual report for 2011 Mr. Dunlap asked for suggestions or corrections from Commissioners. He suggested a revision to the audit wording and adding it to the 2012 work plan. Chair Mulligan liked the summary of the Comcast complaints and said it was encouraging that they had resulted in changes in the complaints over the last few years, and that this year’s complaints should be slightly lower than last year’s. Commissioner Peterson commended Commissioner Keeler for having perfect attendance. C. Draft work plan for 2012/D. Set meetings for 2012 Mr. Dunlap noted meeting dates are now on Wednesday rather than Thursday. 2012 meetings will be: February 29th, May 9th, August 22nd, October 10th and December 12th. Mr. Dunlap suggested adding the Fiber Optic Study to the Work Plan. Commissioner Keeler thought they wanted to begin working on preliminary items in June or July, so that could be discussed at the August meeting. E. Elect Chair and Vice Chair, effective next meeting Commissioner Browning made a motion to nominate Rolf Peterson as Chair, Commissioner Keeler seconded. The motion passed 6-0. Commissioner Browning made a motion to table the election of Vice Chair until the next meeting, Commissioner Dworsky seconded. The motion passed 6-0. 7. Unfinished Business A. Discussion about Council report on the future of cable TV Jamie Zwilling, Communications Coordinator, presented the study findings on the future of Cable TV. Council directed them to look at where revenues were going with cable TV and how they could plan for the future as those fees might decline and look at changes in video services. They asked the Council two questions: Do they believe that video services and content and type of programming they provide are going to continue to be a key communication tool in the near future and far off future? The answer was a resounding yes. The Council believes video is an important way to communicate with residents and those who don’t live in the community. The second question asked was if they were looking at any proactive approaches to the Cable TV Fund and it’s operations as they see it today? The Cable TV operation is funded out of the revenues generated by franchise fees and we also transfer a significant amount of money into the City’s general fund each year. We have started decreasing the contributions to the general fund and since those were programmed into the budget for the next ten years, when we look at the projections for 2021 we aren’t relying on those figures. That is assuming they don’t have any revenue increases or much decrease. The Council is aware there could be a sharp decline in cable TV fees at some point and we need to prepare for it so our operations can continue. Staff wanted to have a discussion about a decline and after 2021 if there is no longer a franchise agreement. The report shows a lot of history of cable operations. The direction Council provided was that they want to continue cable and video services into the future and they need to find a way to fund it. Council did not provide any ideas, but made it clear it is important to the City. Council is anxious to hear more about the fiber study they are working on. Commissioner Dworsky asked for a break down on the current staff as well as the $100,000 annual capital expenditures. Mr. Zwilling replied the City budget is being finalized now and that data can be provided at the next meeting. Commissioner Mulligan said it was a very thorough and well put together report and thanked those who worked on it. He asked how video in demand would play in? Mr. Zwilling replied they had been increasing the video on demand for the last six years, it continues to grow and we continue to promote it. Unlike the cable TV programming, it is tracked so we know how many people are watching it. We also can easily share content on the City web site and through social media, with over 4,000 people following the City on Facebook and Twitter. We see that area growing further, and we’ll continue to pursue every opportunity we can to provide content. Chair Mulligan said he watched a Park TV program just yesterday and it was great to have it available on the web, and the report shows the growth over the last 12 months has been staggering, and that we’re just on the cusp of what that can do. Commissioner Keeler added he attended a MACTA session and about ¾ of the suburbs and regional commissions are currently under franchise renewal with Comcast in the next year and a half to two years and MACTA will be monitoring that closely. That may portend what the future will bring for us. Commissioner Dworsky also asked for information on the break down of sources of revenue from the current communication providers if they are paying St. Louis Park anything, for example the old Qwest now Century Link, Comcast or whoever else is using City right of ways to generate their own revenue. Is any of that coming back to the City for use of City resources? Chair Mulligan asked how long do they see no risk to the current model? Mr. Zwilling replied he wished they could have an exact idea, but it depends on how willing the cable companies are to adapt to changes in the marketplace. They want to protect their business as much as they can. His sense was that they are realizing they cannot go with the status quo, that cable TV, as we know it, is not how people are going to be watching TV in the future. So far, they have been able to add new services and retain customers at a level they are comfortable with. The risk is that with the way technology is developing, something could come along very fast and change very quickly (i.e. Facebook). That would be the most difficult situation to deal with. Council is willing to work with us to figure out how to continue their services. We have adjusted budget projections downward, and are under the assumption it could happen at any time, and very quickly. Commissioner Browning said that was a wise assumption. Comcast knows what is going on and if they want to continue to be active, they will have to adapt. Everything he reads, tells him copper wire is going away slowly and that fiber and wireless is where things are going. It will be interesting to see how Comcast responds, as well as other companies, because they have to adapt in some fashion. The next couple years are going to be eye- openers. Chair Mulligan asked if there was a plan to look at this on an annual basis and address the changes that come along? Mr. Zwilling replied that was a good idea. The direction from Council was to continue video services, so they need to continue looking at the revenue options. A few years ago we looked at sponsorship and advertising and a policy was created. But to sell advertising, we need to commit human resource. They looked at other communities and found it is not a moneymaker but more of a community builder. The Council is interested in a permanent revenue stream. The fees now are tied to the fact that the companies are using their assets in the right of way. That could be fiber in the future and something we’re going to continue to look at. We’re going to need all of you for your ideas, including those outside the box. Commissioner Keeler added in the Fiber Optic Study, one of the pieces would be looking at alternative revenue streams, specifically if they can get something for the fiber that is running through the City. Now the City only gets the initial permit fees, and not continuing revenue. Commissioner Browning asked if they had an idea of what other cities were doing to look at this very thing and how they were responding? Mr. Zwilling replied St. Louis Park was unique compared to surrounding communities and often they see consolidation of services. Recently Eden Prairie and Edina entered into a partnership to provide basic meeting video services. We go far beyond basic meeting coverage in our community and look at video services as a core service for the community. A lot of time and money is being spent now to protect franchise agreements, which is money well-spent by our state and national organizations. 8. Reports A. Complaints Commissioner Browning was impressed that complaints were being handled fairly well and have been declining, which bodes well for their business. Chair Mulligan noted he called Comcast and they handled his situation pretty well. Commissioner Browning also noted a situation where he contacted customer service and the representative handled it exceptionally well. The Comcast rep suggested he try the faster broadband on a three-month offer and it seemed to be faster than when he had done it before. Mr. Dunlap noted that in a recent F.C.C. study, Comcast was over 100% of the promised or advertised internet download speeds. 9. Communication from the Chair Chair Mulligan stated his term was coming to an end, but this was his last meeting on the Commission because he’s moving to Seattle. 10. Communications from City Staff Mr. Dunlap stated he included a report about Vimeo in the packet, which shows that hits have been much higher in 2011 for every single month over 2010, when the City was still contracting with Implex to host Council meetings. Staff found a way to offer Council meetings on Vimeo in 2011, for a fraction of the cost. Also, Park TV 16, the van group that covers high school sports, has been covering more sports events live so tonight a hockey game and the Commission meeting are both covered live, which hasn’t been done before. Their staff will be providing input to the possible changes at the High School Stadium regarding their remodel. Commissioner Keeler noted at the last MACTA conference he volunteered to serve on the Board of Directors. They had a planning meeting last week, and he was appointed Chair of the Membership Committee and will be working with outlying communities. He will provide updates at future meetings. 11. Adjournment Commissioner Dworsky made a motion, Commission Browning seconded to adjourn. The motion passed 6-0. Respectfully submitted by: Amy L. Stegora-Peterson Recording Secretary