HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 20, 2005THE MINUTES OF THE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
FROM
THURSDAY, 3Ai'~TUARZ' 20, ?005
The meeting was called to order at i :00 p.m. by Demzis Stroik, Chairperson.
ROLL CALL: Commission Members
Dennis Stroik, Ken Henke, Brad Peterson, Dan Swee,
and Dave Mahoney
Reuben Ruen arrived at 7:05 pm
Excused Members
Council Representative:
City Representatives
Legal Counsel:
Comcast Representative:
A~P~2~~AY, ®~ Ti~TYN~7TES
Bob Buboltz (He was attending the Charter Commission
Meeting)
Bruce Nawrocki
Linda Magee
Steve Guzzetta
Kathi Donnelly-Cohen
Motiaj~ by~ Dan Swee, second by Dave l~~alaonev, to appYOVe the mirai~rtes from the rneetirag of October 21,
?004. till czves.
OLD I~USIESS
A. Channel Check
Everything checked out tine.
B. Correspondence Log and Follow Up on Complaints
Kathi Donnelly-Cohen reviewed the complaint received from Ms. Lynette Thomson regarding her
confusion over the price increase notice she received in November. A Comcast Representative
spoke with her for about 45 minutes to explain the notice to her. Council member Nawrocki stated
her primary complaint was that rates were rising again. She also reported to Mr. Nawrocki that
when the Comcast representative called her he was also promoting various packages which she
wasn't interested in subscribing to.
C. Other Old Business
No other old business.
i~tEW ~USIIiTESS
A. Franchise Fee for 3rd Quarter ?004
We received the 3rd Quarter franchise fee payment and a copy was enclosed in the agenda
packets. ~ .
TELECOMIvILJNICATION COMMISSION MLNUTES
PAGE 2
JAI~IUARY 20, 2005
B. Notice that "On Demand" Programming is being added
A copy of the notice received in November was enclosed in the packets whereby the City was
informed of the various Programs and Services offered by Comcast. One service that will be
added soon .s "On Demand" Ser:'.ce that will provide access to h,,;ndreds of ho'ars of free
programming and can be controlled with the person's remote control.
Kathi Dannelly-Cohen also informed members of the press release that went out this week
stating that subscribers that have Internet service will have the speed of the service increased
within 90 days, at no additional fee.
C. Rate Adjustments Effective January 1, 2005
Also enclosed in the packets was the Price Increase Notice effective January I, 2005, that was
sent to subscribers. Nawrocki stated this is an 8% increase from last year and he felt it was
excessive. He compared the rates to those in the past and felt the lack of competition allowed
the company to increase the rates unnecessarily. Kathi responded that the number of channels
has increased dramatically over the years and that the charges for these channels to Comcast
has also increased each year. Plus upgrades to the system must be spread out over several
years, which constitute some of the increases also. There was a short discussion about
alternatives available to subscribers, such as Satellite TV, and that it brings competition to the
market.
D. Rate Regulation: Options and Recommended Action
Steve Guzzetta reviewed the options available to the City in regards to regulating the rates. He
explained that Option # 1 would b~ to do nothing for this rate increase, but we could act on
future rate filings. Option #2 would be to de-certify which would take away our right to
regulate rates. No money would be expended in this area and we would not receive any rate
forms. Option #3 is to not perform a review at this time, but to issue rate orders preserving our
rights to review future forms or to take future action if deemed appropriate.
Guzzetta explained that if rates are excessive and orders are issued to roll back the fees and
issue refunds, Comcast can appeal those orders with the FCC. He stated that refunds on
equipment charges are more apt to be supported than refunds on programming fees. After
consulting with staff, he recommends the Commission advise the Council to go with Option
#3.
Motion by Henke, seconded by Peterson to recommend the Council hold a Public Hearing on
February 14, 2005, and advise the Council to approve Option #3 to not perform a review at
this time, but to issue rate orders preserving our rights to review future forms or take future
action if deemed appropriate. All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
E. Notice Regarding Charges for Service Calls
Subscribers were notified that effective February 1, 2005, a flat rate will be charged for all
service calls caused by problems not related to Comcast equipment. Customers who subscribe
to Whole House Wire Maintenance Plan ($2.95/mo) will remain exempt from this charge. In
the past, customers were charged an hourly rate of $2799 rather than the flat rate.
TELECOMMUNICATION COMMISSION MINUTES
PAGE 3
JANUARY 20, 2005
F. Addition of Asian C1lannels and The International Channel for Tsunami Recovery Information
Beginning January 6, 2005, Comcast will temporarily provide two South Asian television news
and information channels for its Twin Cities customers. Zee TV (Channel 71} and TV Asia
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addition, the International Channel, which is normally carried in the Digital Line Up, will be
available to its analog customers as wail on Channel 73. This service is being provided, at no
additional cost, through Monday, January 31, 2005. It is meant as a goodwill gesture to
provide information to those who are following this disaster.
Henke inquired whether it is passible to determine how many people actually watched these
channels. Kathi responded that it isn't possible to gauge the number of viewers.
G. Other New Business
Kathi informed the members that the annual surveys have gone out and she is getting them
returned so the responses can be included in the annual report.
RF.P~RT.rr
A. Report of Commissioners
Education-Nothing to report
Library-Nothing to report
Public-Nothing to report
Government-Nothing to report
B. Report of Comcast-
The reports for Oct-Dec. 2004 were reviewed. Also enclosed was the January Edition of
the Monthly News, a written report of newsworthy items including changes in
programming, technology, and other items of interest regarding Comcast's products and
services.
Reuben asked whether the Emergency Broadcast worked on both Analog and Digital
Service. Kathi stated it does work on both and that it is tested at various times throughout
the month by Comcast.
C. Report of the Cable Attorney
Nothing further to report.
D. Report of the Assistant to the City Manager
Nothing further to report.
Motion by Ken Henke, seconded by Reuben Ruen, to a~jourra the meeting at 7:45 pm. All ayes.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Hanson
Secretary