HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 19, 2006TH7 ;MINUTES OF TI3~
TLT ECOMMUNICA`I~IONS COMMISSION
FROM
TIILTRSDAY. JANL7ARY 19. ?006
The meetvlg was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Dez~is Stroil~, Chairperson.
.ROLL CALL: Commission Members
Deimis Stroik, Dan Swee, Dave Mahoney, Reuben Ruen,
and Brad Peterson.
Excused Members:
Council Representative:
City Representatives:
Legal Counsel:
Comcast Representative:
APPI20V 4L OF ~tBINUTES
Ken >-lenke and Bob Buboltz
Bruce Nawroel~i
Jean Kuelul
Steve Guzzetta
Kathi Donnelly-Cohen
.Motion by Da~Je Mahol~ey, second by Dan ~1a~ee, to apps°ove the ~~ainz~tes fi°o~~~ the »~eeti»g ofAugust 18,
2005. All ayes.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Chaluiel Checl:
Evezytl~u~g checked out fine. There were obvious sound variations from channel to channel, even
though we are told it is within an acceptable range.
B. Correspondcnce Lag and Follow Up on Complairlts
Ms. Dolores Strand of 1145 Polk Place had a problem with an el•ror on her billinff. It tools a couple
of months to get t1~is resolved. She claimed Comcast did not get back to her as promised.
However, Kathi stated they have documentation that they did have conversations with her. She
did not want to go alto detail as customers are entitled to privacy and Dolores is a well known
resident to people on the conun.ission. Copies of the correspondence regarding this issue were
enclosed in the agenda packets. Ms. Strand changed her level of sel~~ice, received the credits
promised her and she is now satisfied.
B. Other Old Business
There was a discussion again about the need to switch between the cable antenna and UHF to get
charulels 23, 29, and 41 when hooked up to Universal Service. ILathi stated Scott Molter said this
wasn't a problem, but she will have Scott contact Dan Swee directly so they can discuss this.
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C. Franchise Fee for 3rd Quarter 200
We received the 3"~ Quarter franchise fee payment and a copy was enclosed ii1 the agenda
packets.
TEI.ECOMMLT'i~ICATION COMMISSION MII~ItiTES
JA1~1TT4I2V 19 70(16
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PAGE 2
D. Changes to Chazxzxel Line Up
Sonxe changes were made to the Chazxzxel Line Up to add a number of chazxnels effective
September 30, 2005. As nxore progranxnxii7g beconxes available in iugii do rtition or ~Tideo ozx
Demazxd, changes azxd additions will continue to occur. Chair Stroilc coninxezxted that there are
still 5 unused clxazxzxels in the Standard Basic Line up. He questioned whether this is allowed
zmder the cuzlent Franclxise Agreement.
Nawrocl~i cozx2zxxented about the wording in the notices the City has received saying that
"enhancements for the benefits of customers" is misleading. He said it doesn't benefit as zxxany
as tlxey think as these "ezxlxancezxlents" are primaa•ily for those wlxo subscribe to HDTV/Digital
services that cast a great deal nxoxe, azxd therefore, most people don't have.
C. Agreement Reached for HD Progranxzxling with Hubbard Broadcasting
KSTP will now be caz7ied on Chazxilel 231 for subscribers with HDTV service. Tlxis is the
local ABC affiliate and carries a zlunxber ofpopidar prograzxls in .HD including "Lost" and
"Monday Night Football".
E. Notice of Billing System
A notice was received drat Comcast will be charging their billizxg format to prepare for the
eventual goal of coznbizxing all subscribed services onto one bill. A copy was enelosed,for
izxformational puzposes.
F. Notice of 200b Rate Adjustrxents
Notice was received in November 2005 of the price adjustments that becanxe effective in January
200G. Basic rates went down slightly, however Basic 2 and the Standard Package tlxat includes
both Basic 1 and 2, went up. Guzzetta explained that we are only able to regulate the Basic 1
charges. We have no abiliiy to regulate the Basic 2 charges or the Standard Package charges.
Council member Nawrocki stated that tlxe 10.3% increase in 2005 and the ~.1 % increase 1z12006
for the Standard Package are excessive azxd feels the Cable Conxpazzy is charging whatever they
wazxt as there is not enough competition to keep prices reasonable. He comnxented about Cable
Compa~xies beizxg able to offer plxozxe service, but found it unfair tlxat phone canxpazxies camxot
offer cable services. He feels this keeps tlxe competition down and is z~ot in the consuzxxer's best
interest.
Nawroclci questioned how nxany people in Colunxbia Heiglxts subscribe to just Basic 1 compared to
those that have the Standard Package. Katlxi azxswered IZis questions, but since this is trade secret
information, the numbers are not included in the record.
G. Notice of the Public Hearizxg to be Held in Februazy regarding Cable Rates
The City Council established a Public Hearing date of February 13, 2006 for input on the charges
for basic progranxzning, equipment rates, and installation charges calculated in its March 2005 rate
filing that tools effect Juzze 1, 2005. It was explained that another rate increase was received as
noted above effective Jasxuary 1, 2006, Guzzetta explained tlxat the City decided not to do a
detailed review of the fonlxs tiled in March 2005, however the City has 12 months in which to act
on the filings. Guzzetta reviewed the options open to the City. Staff has recommended adopting
the rate order for Foz-zns 1205 and 1240, neither approving or denyuxg them, but reserves the riglxt
to act on thezxx at a Inter date if necessary.
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JANUr~IZY 1.9, 2006
PAGE 3
Illation by T3t~act' Peter son, Seconded by Dare Sla~ee to recal~~»~ze~rd the City Council adopt t12~ Kate
Orders 1 SOS arzd 1~~0 as~led i~a ~7arclz 2005 ~°eser°ving our ~°ight to act orz tlze~~z at a late~° date if
necessary. ill ayes. ~1~fOTIDNPASSED.
I-I. Review of Resolutions for Basic Progranllning Rates anal Equipment atld I1lstallatioll Rates
Copies of the Draft Resolutions were enclosed in the packets that the City Council will consider at
the Public Ieearing on February 13, 2006 regarding these two issues. Oise Resolution is approving
the Basic Progran11ni1zg Rates charged as filed in FCC Form 1240, a11d the other is approving t11e
Rates for Equipment alzd hlstallatian as filed in FCC Form 1205. These were included for
i11fo1n1ational purposes o111y.
Other New Business
Stroik asked whether t11e new `Buy Through Provision" is available, whereby you can subscribe
to premiulla clianllels by adding them to Basic 1 service without subscribing to a larger package.
Katlli stated that it is available and that you would need the Basic 1 service which casts
approximately $10/Inozlth, X4.00/month for the converter box, and `~ 16,99/luonth for each
premium selvice you choose.
SPORTS
A. Report of Conlnlissioners
Education-Nothing to repol-t
Library-Nothing to repol-t
Public-Nothing to repol`t
Gover111nent-Nothing to report
Jean Kuehn shared a letter Maly and Steve received at the Cable Studio from Joaluie
Student that thanked them for their hard worl~ ui providing programing on ot~r local
access chamlels that are informative and professionally done. The Con1111ission members
also thal~Iced Jean for her contributions and die progra111s she is involved in tal~illg.
Reuben stated that he still feels the Commission is beilig under-utilized by City Staff.
Navnocla said he 11as passed that concern onto others
B. Report of Conlcast-
The reports for Aug-Dec. ZOOS were reviewed. Copies of the monthly newsletters were
also enclosed i~~ the packets for review. Katlli answered questions regarding the scats
provided h1 the reports.
She also said that Sprint/i~Textel are joining with Conlcast to provide a new service which
would allow you to program your DVR front your cell phone anal eventually be able~to
Vte~v tlullgS 011 yoltl" Cell ph011e.
TEZEC~~~~cATIONS Co~ssloN ?~~ u~i~LS
JANUARY 1~.~ aa6
PAGE 4
C. Report of City Staff
Natl~zg further to repart.
D. Report of the Cable Attor-~iey
Natl~~g ful-ther to report.
Motio~a by ReuUe~z Ruei~, secoT7ded Uy T i~ad Petei°son, to adjou~~n the rneetil~g at 8:1 DP»z. All ayes.
Respectfully subillitted,
Shelley Manson
Secretary