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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/12/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 6, 2007 ST. LOUIS PARK COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, Dale Hartman, Ken Huiras, and Bob Jacobson MEMBERS ABSENT: Kirk Morrow and Rolf Peterson STAFF PRESENT: Reg Dunlap, Civic TV Coordinator; John McHugh, Community TV Coordinator OTHERS PRESENT: Arlen Mattern, Time Warner Cable Public Affairs Administrator; Michelle Cutler, Senior Director of Customer Service 1. Call to Order Vice Chair Browning called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. (At the request of Chair Huiras, who was recovering from a cold). 2. Roll Call Present at roll call were Commissioners Browning, Dworsky, Hartman, Huiras and Jacobson. 3. Approval of Minutes for October 11, 2007 Commissioner Huiras noted he chaired the meeting, not Commissioner Dworsky as listed. Commissioner Jacobson noted on the second paragraph of page five, delete “the” in the first line. It was moved by Commissioner Huiras, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, to approve the minutes of October 11, 2007, as amended. The motion passed 5-0. 4. Adoption of Agenda The agenda was approved as amended. 5. Public Comment – None 6. New Business A. Comcast updates on cable rates and changes in the channel line up Mr. Mattern distributed a handout with the channel line up and price sheet. They will have the same programming in January. December 17th Fox Sports Net and TBS will be offered in high definition. There will be a $5/month increase for basic and standard service (6.93% increase overall) and no changes to high-speed internet pricing. Chair Browning asked how many channels would be in high definition? Mr. Mattern was unsure. Commissioner Huiras asked if all channel changes would be on December 17th? Mr. Mattern replied only the two mentioned. Mr. Dunlap noted there were 25 HD channels on the line up card, including 5 premium channels. More information about the transition is available at dtv.gov. The Commission discussed providing more information about various technologies. It was noted there were many models and brands of electronic equipment and it would be difficult to cover everything. There is a lot of information available on the internet. Mr. Mattern commented that Comcast would be doing a public service announcement about the digital conversion. C. Review School District report See below D. Set meetings for 2008 2008 Telecommunications meeting dates: February 21, March City Council Study Session to be announced, May 8, July 17th, October 16th and December 4th. E. Draft Work Plan for 2008 Mr. Dunlap reported they would be producing a video explaining the digital television transition, and to let him know if there are any additions to the work plan. Commissioners discussed adding more to the October meeting and moving items from the December meeting to October, such as the school reports. B. Comcast customer service update Michelle Cutler, Senior Director of Customer Service for Twin Cities Comcast reported they were ending the year with more customer service representatives (560) and two call centers. They trained over 200 new staff in 2007. New hires go through an eight-week training period primarily on video service and have knowledge based resource systems on-line for troubleshooting. Service techs go through a ten-week training program. Commissioners expressed concerns about customers hold times. Ms. Cutler indicated the goal was to respond to 90% within 30 seconds and that was what they were at. Weather and other issues can affect the hold time. Commissioner Jacobson indicated they were requiring customers to provide social security numbers. Ms. Cutler stated the use of social security numbers (last four digits) was to protect customers and verify whom they were speaking with. Customers can go to the office with a photo ID and set up other verifications. Mr. Dunlap commented that the policy was in compliance with the law. F. Draft Annual Report for 2007 Mr. Dunlap stated the report was a summary of the 2007 meetings. G. Elect Chair and Vice Chair, to assume duties at next meeting Chair Browning called for nominations for Chair. Commissioner Jacobson nominated Bruce Browning for Chair. Commissioner Jacobson made a motion, Commission Hartman seconded to nominate Bruce Browning as Chair. The motion passed. Chair Browning called for nominations for Vice Chair. Commissioner Huiras nominated Bob Jacobson as Vice Chair. Commissioner Huiras made a motion, Commission Browning seconded to nominate Bob Jacobson as Vice Chair. The motion passed. H. Review of cable company franchise fee audits Mr. Dunlap reviewed the City Council report on the franchise fee audits and noted that an audit should be added to next years work plan. The Commission discussed adding it to the Work Plan on the February meeting and also a discussion of data privacy issues and reviewing the Data Privacy Act and what information from Comcast that was public. 7. Old Business A. Park WiFi update Mr. Dunlap read a press release dated December 5th (available on the web site). The Commission discussed the equipment differences between the pilot and the final project. Commissioners requested being informed about what would be happening and to be able to provide some input. 8. Reports A. Complaints Commissioners noted there had been few complaints and believed the Escalation Team services were working well. 9. Communication from the Chair Commissioners Jacobson, Dworsky and Hartman expressed an interest in reappointment to the Commission. Commissioner Huiras indicated he would not seek reappointment and felt the Commission was not doing the work they should be doing. 10. Communications from City Staff Mr. Dunlap discussed the no parking reminders on the cable channel during snow emergencies. Information is also available on the web site. Mr. McHugh distributed a partial programming report. Time Warner had asked for a letter of waiver for the stand still agreement from 2003 where they had apartment buildings with entryway security cameras on channel 6. Aquilla Commons is requesting having security cameras. They would propose granting a waiver to the stand still agreement for that building, only if they do not preempt any local broadcast or local PEG channels. It is an amenity for residents of apartments to view visitors. 6. C. School District Report Charlie Fiss, School District, reported on the grant money for the Junior High Video Club. Funds have been used to purchase a mixer for the Senior High studio. The video club has started and was going well. There are 13 students signed up and one of their first projects is doing a teleprompter. 11. Adjournment Commissioner Jacobson made a motion, Commission Huiras seconded to adjourn at 8:00. The motion passed. Respectfully submitted by: Amy L. Stegora-Peterson Recording Secretary