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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 PAGE 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 n•~r -~ r: ~v~ ~ 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 nei-+r ~ r~y~r, -+ 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