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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 20, 2001THE MINUTES OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FRO>\~I THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2001 The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Ken Henke, Vice Chair. ROLL CALL: Commission Members: Dave Mahoney, Bob Buboltz, Ken Henke, Brad Peterson, and Reuben Risen Dan Swee alTived at 7:30 pm Council Representative: Bruce Nawrocki City Representative: Linda Magee and Jean Kuehn AT & T Broadband Rep: Kathi Donnelly-Cohen Also present were Gordon Awsumb, Managing Partner of the 3989 Central Avenue Business Center and John. Lampland from SavvyNet, an Internet Communications Company. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Bob Buboltz, second by Reuben Risen, to approve Zhe minutes from the meeting of Qctober 18, 2001, with the following correction: New Business, Ztem E. to reflect an aver^age of 20 rniniates hold tin~ze, ~~rot 45 minutes as written. All ayes. OLD BUSINESS A. Channel Check The only problems detected were on Access Channels where the message bar quivers and does not sink in properly. B. Correspondence Log and Complaint Follow Up. There were no complaints received by the City since the last meeting C 2000 Annual Report-Remaining Outstanding Item-Financial InfornZation The financial statement prepared by an accountant was enclosed in the agenda packet. This was the last of the information requested for the Annual Report of 2000. Motion By Reube~~i Ruerz, seconded by Brad Peterson, to uccept the Aranuc~l Report for 2000. All ayes. D. Other Old Business Mr. Nawrocki questioned whether he had been given preferential treatment for the service call made at his residence to correct problems with his cable service. He asked that the Commission members review the facts and discuss the situation. He left the room while the issue was discussed, and the commission came to a decision. Kathi Donnelly Cohen, from AT & T Broadband, reported that she had arranged for customer service to schedule an appointment with Mr. Nawrocki. She has done this for others on numerous occasions, whenever she is made aware of someone who is experiencing problems. The service technician is not made aware of who the subscriber is. He would have received the same service whether he had called customer service himself, or if Kathi reported it as in this case. After reviewing the facts and listening to Kathi Donnelly Cohen, the commission decided that he had received the same service as any cable subscriber with a reception problem. TELECOMMUNICATIONS MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2001 neGE NEW BUSINESS A. Notice Regarding Equipment Compatibility Sent to Subscribers A copy of the notice to sent subscribers was enciosed in the agenda packets for review. Kathi explained there are three notices sent to subscribers on an annual basis in order to comply with requirements set by the FCC. B. Notice to Subscribers Regarding Changes in Programming for Analog and Digital Services A copy of the letters sent to subscribers regarding changes in programming for those customers subscribing to analog and digital service were enclosed in the packets. These changes took effect De~eember 18, 2001. Premium services have been moved to digital sea-vice only. Subscribers must now have a digital converter box to obtain these channels, but the price for the service has remained the same. C. Notice of Rate Increase Effective January 1, 2002 A letter was received November 21, 2001, notifying the City of the Rate Increase for Basic 2 and Standard Cable, as well as to premium services effective January 1, 2002. The prices for Basic 1 and equipment rates were not adjusted, so we do not have the opportunity to review the charges or regulate them in any way. It was noted that we held the Public Hearing on the last increase from July 2001. The City now has until March 1, 2002, to order any adjustments to that increase. D. Discussion with SavvyNet regarding Fiber Access on Central Ave Gordon Awsumb, from the Central Business Center, and John Lampland, from SavvyNet, had recently addressed the EDA Board regarding placement of a Fiber Optic line in Central Avenue while the street is being reconstructed next year. The EDA Board recor-nmended the Telecommunications Commission review this idea and share their thoughts with. the EDA Board/City Council. Mr. Awsumb and Mr. Lampland are specifically interested in accessing fiber optic at their building on 40`h and Central Ave to better serve their clients and expand business opportunities at this site. Mr. Awsumb explained the importance of providing high speed data service to further economic development for other areas in Columbia Heights as well. He feels a fiber optic line will help build a strong tax base by providing service for current businesses, as well as attracting new businesses. He envisions Columbia Heights as being the future home of several high tech business centers if we have the foresight to provide the equipment necessary for these businesses to operate using the latest technology available. He stated the costs have been reduced from their first proposal due to the fact that they have discovered Qwest already has a fiber optic line running up Central to 44"' Avenue, with a vault on 42°~ Avenue. He estimates that it will cost approximately $150,000 to bring a connection line down from 42"d Avenue to the 40`h Avenue intersection, do the connection to the building, and to cover Engineering and Administration costs. It was noted that Qwest will be connecting Columbia Parlc Clinic to their line soon. Columbia Park Clinic is paying for this connection, but has to do it according to Mr. Awsumb, on Qwest's timeframe. The Commission members asked Kathi Donnelly Cohen if AT & T Broadband provides this type of service. She states they do, but on a residential scale. They are not equipped at this time to take on large office complexes. TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2001 PAGE 3 Dan Swee asked why the City should pay for this project. Mr. Awsumb explained that it just made sense to place vaults accessing the duct banks every block along the avenue while it is being reconstructed, so the street will not have to be dug up again. in a few years. If the vaults were strategically placed, lines could be fed to future business in other directions. He went on to explain that OC3 lines must be secure and must be inground. These lines provide the larger capacity needed by businesses. While many of the Commission members felt it would be a good idea to provide for digital service while the street is being reconstructed, they raised some issues that need to be checked out. They questioned legal issues such. as ownership of the lines if additional conduits are run along a State Highway, connection costs and how they would be assessed, usage costs, what could be done with extra space in the conduits, etc. They also questioned what Qwest's plans are for placing additional lines or vaults along Central during reconstruction, and if they had been informed of the reconstruction project. There was a long discussion and it was the general consensus of the commission that this is something to pursue after the EDA decides what areas they would like to develop, after certain legal issues are answered, and after finding out what Qwest's plans are. If Qwest has plans for additional work along Central, the City may not have to do anything. E. Other New Business There was no other new business. REPORTS A. Report of Commissioners Educational-Dennis was not present, but he forwarded a memo from the School District reporting on the status of the equipment and training that was purchased with a grant from the Commission. Government- Nothing to report Library-Nothing to report Public-Nothing to report B. Report of AT & T Broadband- The reparts for October to present were enclosed in the agenda packets. Kathi Donnelly Cohen passed out a copy of a press release regarding the merger of AT & T Broadband and Comcast. This merger will make them the largest cable provider in the country. C. Report of the Cable Attorney Our legal counsel was not present at this meeting. D. Report of the Assistant to the City Manager The Holiday Dinner will be held at Jax Cafe on January 17, 2002 at 6:30 pm. Notices will be sent out to members in January. Motion by Bob Buboltz, seeoiided by Brad Peterson, to adjourn the yneeti~~g cat 9:20 p~7a. All ayes. Respeetfiilly submitted, Shelley Hanson Secretary