HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 19, 2001THE ~1TNtiTES OF THE
TELECOMtiIt1i~'~~CATIONS COMMISSION
FROM
ltiUKJllt~Y, JULY ly, 2VV1
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Dennis Stroik, Chairperson.
ROLL CALL: Commission Members: Dennis Stroik, Reuben Ruen, Dan Swee, and David IvSahoney
Council Representative:
City Representative:
AT & T Broadband Rep
Legal Counsel:
Bruce Nawrocki
Jean Kuehn and Linda Magee
Kathi Donnelly-Cohen
Stephen Guzzetta
Also in attendance were Linda Ernst and Jeremy Sellman from School District #li.
APPROVAL OF yIINUTES
Motion b_v Reuben Ruen, seconded by Dave ~1~fahonev, to approve the rninastes frorn the meeting of June Z1, ?001.
.411 ayes.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Channel Check
There was still inconsistency in the volume levels from channel to channel. Channels 31, ~5, and 72 were
low, while channels 34 & 38 were quite a bit louder. Kathi explained that the volume levels are controlled
by an automated system that keeps the volume within a specified range. There may be some variation and
sometimes it takes a few minutes for it to adjust itself. Kathi suggested the commission members tour the
headend and view the equipment and how it operates.
B. Correspondence Log and Complaint Follow Up.
X150-Salem-Complained about new price he is paying for digital package that he changed to after a
teIemarketer called him. Kathi sent him a letter explaining the packages and prices for digital service, so
he could decide which one he wants. He disagreed with the letter and left Kathi several messages. She
researched his account and found that he has changed his programming package three times in the last 2
months, and therefore his billing is very difficult to understand. He had an S72 balance on his account,
which she credited in full. She sent him another letter and explained this, and again asked him to decide on
the programming package he really wants. A copy of that letter was enclosed in the agenda packet. She
has not heard from him directly as of this date, but he may have contacted someone in customer service to
choose a package.
Ardys Alman-Questioned whether the line for cable installed in December 2000 would be buried now.
Kathi responded that she had been in touch with Ms. Alman to explain that the cable has been permanently
run as an aerial line, as it is not in an underground area.
C Franchise Fee Analysis Update
Steve Guzzetta reported the Ramsey-Washington Commission discussed this issue at their July meeting.
The issue was again deferred to next month to give AT & T and Commission Officials time to discuss the
report. They will try to reach an agreement on the figures, even if they do not agree on the interpretation.
Certain issues are being researched by AT & T staff. At the August meeting, the matter may be turned
over to the City of Maplewood to decide on a course of action. It will not be resolved anytime soon, and
could very well end up in litigation.
TELECOIV1MLi CATIONS MEETING
MINUTES OF NLY 19, 2001
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D. 2000 Annual Report-Remaining Outstanding Items
*The Guidelines for Community Television Channel 1 j Equipment/Facilities were re-
submitted.
*The attachments for Form 395 were provided.
"`The rfnanciai statements with verification by an accountant required an audit to be
performed. This is being done and as soon as the new financial information is ready, it will
be forwarded to the City.
The acceptance of the Annual Report is tabled until ail the items have been submitted.
E. Access Studio Staffing
Kathi reported they now have a new employee working at the Access Studio replacing
Eddie Hams. Ron Johnson has had experience in another access studio and is eager to
work with Mary Guy at the Columbia Heights Studio.
F. Review of Forms 1240 and 1205 for Rate Increase Effective July 1, 2001
Columbia Heights is in a coalition of cities to review the 1240 and 1205 forms for the rate
increase that will take effect July 1, 2001. All forms and orders issued during the last 4-~
years will be reviewed during this process to ensure that they have been correctly
submitted. The forms and orders for Columbia Heights have been compiled and forwarded
to the proper people for the review to proceed.
AT & T has not been cooperating on a request to provide information on local cost figures
versus national cost figures which have been used on the forms. They refuse to base the
figures on the cost report to reflect local costs only.
G. Other Old Business
There was no other old business.
NEB BUSINESS
A. Review of Request from ISD #13 for Funding of Hardware and Software for Video
Production Class
Linda Ernst and Jeremy Sellman from ISD #13 made a presentation regarding their request
for funding the purchase of hardware and software for a Video Production Class. They
explained that last year was the first year they had offered this type of class at Columbia
Heights. They had a good response to the class with approximately 20 students taking part.
This year three sessions will be offered with 84 students currently registered. The
equipment purchase being requested would allow for four additional workstations to be
established for digital video editing, compared to the current one they presently have. The
hard drives, memory upgrades, and software in the proposal would be installed on existing
computers provided by the Columbia Heights Schools.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
MINtiTES OF JUL4' 19, 2001
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Jeremy reviewed the curriculum he covers in the production class and answered questions.
He explained that one digital editing suite was purchased with funds from the Technology
r~nrtinn of the referend>>m monies; brit there are no remaining funds for any additional
r,,....,...._
equipment. He stated that one workstation was not really adequate to handle a class of 20.
They had to work in groups and access the equipment before and after school to
accommodate everyone. Jeremy explained that Mr. Ogdie who taught the class last year,
went through a Teaming process with the students. They produced approximately 15-20
hours of programming, but that none of it went on the air over the educational access
channel. The Commission members all felt with the equipment the district has, they would
like to see the programs aired. The district has better equipment than the City or the
Columbia Heights Studio and we are producing programs for public access and
government access on a regular basis. Jeremy agreed, and is hoping to produce
programming that will be suitable for airing on the educational access channel. However,
he said the goal here is to educate students for future opporhmities if they have an interest
in working in the production, technical, or broadcasting field, not necessarily to do produce
programming for the district.
There was a discussion concerning the equipment they wish to purchase such as
compatibility, prices, quality, installation and set up. Several of the commission members
felt the prices were high for the additional memory. They suggested that Linda contact
General Nano Systems and get a quote from them for the hard drive and memory
equipment. They agreed the link and set up should be done by experts, but that other bids
should be obtained. The general consensus was that all agreed putting money into
education is good and they support that effort, but they felt district personnel should be
getting more bids to ensure they get the most "bang for their buck."
Motion by hennis Stroik, seconded by Reuben Ruen to recommend the City Council
approve ficnding of the School District's request for equipment in an amount not to exceed
$4, 500. Facrthermore, that funding is provided with the understanding that programming
produced will be aired on the educational access channel and that receipts of the
purchases made be provided to the City. All ayes.
B. Commission's Role for Advising City Council
Commission members were sent copies of the Ordinance that addresses the duties or role
of the Telecommunications Commission. Some of the members felt the duties needed to
be better defined. They had particular concerns due to the recent purchase of a wireless
data system that is to be used by Parkview Villa and the Liquor Stores to incorporate them
into our network. This item was authorized to be purchased without any input from the
Telecommunications Commission. They questioned licensing, interference if the same
frequency would be used, and also privacy/security of the data that maybe transmitted.
They would like to ensure that the Administrative Staff and City Council members are
better informed before making these types of decisions.
There was a discussion regarding their role and how to share their expertise. It was
decided that no change was needed to the ordinance detailing the duties of the commission,
but that we needed to educate staff and council that they are a resource that should be used.
Bruce Nawroclci agreed to share their concerns with fellow council members and Linda
Magee will enlighten staff at their next staff meeting.
TET.ECOMMliNICATIONS COMMISSION
~fIN`L'TES OF JtiLY I9, ?001
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C. Other New Business
There was no other new business.
REPOR'T'S
A. Report of Commissioners
Educational-Nothing to report
Government- Nothing to report
Library-Nothing to report
Public-Nothing to report
B. Report of AT & T Broadband-
Notice ofsemi-annual proof of performance testing was received. This will take place in
August and may cause very short (less than 30 second) interruptions in service on a few
individual channels.
C. Report of the Cable Attorney
Steve Guzzetta had nothing further to report.
D. Report of the Assistant to the City Manager
There was nothing further to report.
Motion by Dave 11~Iahoney, seconded by Dan Swee, to adjourn the meeting at 9: OD pm. All ayes.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Hanson
Secretary