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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 18, 2005THE MINUTES OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FROM THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2005 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Dennis Stroik, Chairperson. ROLL CALL: Commission Members Excused Members Absent Members: Council Representative City Representatives Comcast Representative: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Dennis Stroik, Dan Swee, Dave Mahoney, Bob Buboltz, and Ken Henke. Brad Peterson Reuben Ruen Bruce Nawrocki Linda Magee Kathi Donnelly-Cohen Motion by Dave Mahoney, second by Dcz~a Swee, to approve the minutes from tae meeting of April 21, 2005. All eves. OLD BUSINESS A. Channel Check Everything checked out fine. Dennis Stroik stated he has analog service and he sees a big difference in picture and audio quality between his reception at home and the reception here. Kathi explained that with the analog service, networks control the signal levels. B. Correspondence Log and Follow Up on Complaints Ms. Mary Persing of 2201 40`" Avenue complained about a Comcast Representative who requested her social security number or driver's license number in order to have Universal Service installed. She declined to give it and questioned why this is needed. Kathi Donnelly-Cohen replied that the last four digits are needed to ensure customer security. Kathi was not sure if she went through with the connection or not once she was given the explanation. C. Responses to Questions Raised at Apri121, 2005 Commission Meeting Kathi stated that there is no problem connecting Universal Service to a new TV as Dan Swee had indicated at the last meeting. There was a discussion regarding the need to re-program the TV to pick up channels, 23, 29, or 41. Kathi will ask Scott Melter to set up a test to see if this is correct. The Emergency Alert appears on all channels, both analog and digital. Kathi answered a question regarding Comcast Digital Voice and how it will operate. The RSU has a battery backup, so an alarm will not be triggered when there is a power outage or maintenance of the system. TELECOMMUNICATION COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST l8, 2005 PAGE 2 D. Miscellaneous Informational Items Comcast and Time Warner have joined forces to acquire the assets of bankrupt Adelphia cable systems. As part of the agreement, Comcast will be taking over the Minnesota systems previously run by Time Warner. E. Other Old Business No other old business. NEW BUSINESS A. Franchise Fee for ls` and 2°d Quarter 2005 We received the ls` and 2"d Quarter franchise fee payments and copies were enclosed in the agenda packets. B. Changes to Channel Line Up Some changes were made to the Channel Line Up to standardize it with other systems and to allow for exciting future products and services. The changes are to begin around August 26`h and there is no price adjustment associated with these. C. Cable Attorney Rate Adjustment Notice was received that effective in August 2005, Bradley & Guzzetta LLC are increasing their rates. The rates have not been adjusted in over four years. We currently are paying between $145-$160/hr and it will be increasing to $ 175/hr. Linda reported she had checked with other cities/commissions and other firms are charging as much as $280/Iu-. She explained this increase in fees will amend the contract we have with them now. The Commissioners felt it is important to keep continuity during the renewal of our franchise. Motion by Henke, seconded by Swee to continue with Bradlev & Gaticzetta LLC for our legal counsel for Telecomrnurzication matters. All aver. MOTION PASSED. D. Other New Business Linda asked if anyone was interested in attending the MACTA Fall Conference at the Mermaid Conference Center in Mounds View on October 27-28, 2005. There is a discount for early registration. However, no one was interested in attending this event. TELECOMMLi~1ICATION COMMISSION MIl~IUTES AUGUST 18, 2005 PAGE 3 I2EP(3R'Y'S A. Report of Commissioners Education-Nothing to report i,ibrary-ivothing to report Public-Nothing to report Government-Nothing to report B. Report of Comcast- The reports for April-3uly 2005 were reviewed. Copies of the monthly newsletters were also enclosed in the packets for review. Kathi Donnelly Cohen told Commission members about an alert that has been sent out by the League of MN Cities regarding the Ensign- McCain bill that has been introduced that would basically take away all regulations and allow phone companies to enter the cable industry also. It was her opinion that cities and cable companies, would both be hurt by this proposed bill.. Among the changes that would occur as a result of this bill are: It would do away with all franchises Regulation would be done by the State or Federal government-cities would not oversee the service at all Systems would be limited to 4 access channels Cities could not charge far Right of Way permits Franchise fees would be limited to a certain amount and would only be allowed on certain items. Kathi went on to report that subscribers ~,vith digital boxes will have a new program guide available to them that will be faster and more user friendly. Some additional programming is being added to the HDTV service. And the speed of the Internet service is being increased again. C. Report of City Staff Nothing further to report. Motion by Kern Henke, seconded by Bead Peterson, zo adjourn tlae meeting czt 7:40 pm. All ayes. Respectfully submitted, Shelley Hanson `~' Secretary