Cable TV - 1996 - 04_11MINUTES
CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
Apra 11, 1996
ATTENDANCE:
Members Present:
Don Wing, Chairperson
Mark Pacheco, Secretary
Sherry Bennett
Eric Willard
Ty Westfall
Bill Huber
Members Absent:
Douglas Dreggors, Vice -Chairperson
Others Present:
Kurt Brown, Business Manager, TCI Dallas
Trish Tanner, Franchise & Rate Administration, TCI Metroplex
JoAnn Holtzclaw, TCI Allen
Janice Connolly, TCI Allen
Staff Present:
Michael Stanger, Assistant City Manager
Donna Miller, Secretary
With a quorum of the committee present, the Regular Meeting of the Allen Cable TV
and Telecommunications Advisory Committee was called to order by Chairperson Don
Wing at 7.12 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 1996 in the meeting room of the Allen
Public Library, Two Allen Civic Plaza, Allen, Texas. The following items were
discussed:
The March 28, 1996 minutes were approved as written with a motion made by Bill
Huber and seconded by Sherry Bennett. All approved.
III. CITIZENS COMMENTS
Don Wing read a letter from Olin Ashley, 1007 Blackwell, Allen, Texas.
Page 2 of 3
CTTAC Minutes
April 11, 1996
Kurt Brown, TCI, passed out a 1240 rate packet and did a brief overview Trish
Tanner, TCI, went over the packet line by line and fielded questions. Mr. Huber asked
why there was a rate increase. Ms. Tanner responded giving three factors: 1) inflation,
2) programming fees, and 3) the general cost of doing business (i.e., employee -related
costs, equipment, etc.). Mr. Huber asked TO staff to produce an executive summary
of surrounding city rates. Mr. Brown explained that city by city comparisons have
several factors involved that produce a rate for that city (Le geographical location,
number of subscribers, etc.). Mr. Wing commented there were several discrepancies
in the 1240 filing and pointed them out to TCI staff. Mr Brown will check into the
discrepancies and report back to the City Mr. Pacheco asked TCI staff to verify that
the rate increase has nothing to do with the upgrade. Ms. Tanner and Ms. Holtzclaw
replied this was correct. Mr Pacheco asked TCI staff if they planned on a rate
increase when the upgrade was in place, and how that would take place. Ms.
Holtzclaw answered by saying there would be a rate increase on a customer -by -
customer basis as soon as possible after the upgrade is effective, and that Form 1235 is
what allows TCI to increase the rates. TCI left the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Michael Stanger commented that TCI gave the same 1240 demonstration on March 11,
and was expecting more detailed assistance in today's meeting. Mr. Huber stated the
City Council should be advised about the rate increase.
All members agreed that TCI should not have a rate increase before the upgrade is in
effect, and they do not want two rate increases within a short period of time. Mr
Stanger said he believes the City has three options with respect to this rate filing: a)
conduct a rate study and try to determine an appropriate basic rate, (b) negotiate a rate
increase that would be acceptable to both parties, and (c) reject the rate change. The
committee was reminded that the City has original rate authority over basic tier
programming only
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Mr Wing passed out a mission statement draft he produced. Mr. Stanger suggested
the committee could delay work on a mission statement for the government channel if
we learn that the channel will not be operational by January 1. All members agreed to
table this item until the next meeting, and each member is going to bring in ideas.
Page 3 of 3
CTTAC Minutes
April ll, 1996
VI.
VIII.
Mr. Willard would like to begin working on the question/answer information that each
member will be able to use to answer public questions with a certain degree of
consistency. Mr. Westfall suggested that this be put on the agenda for next meeting
and that each member bring suggestions.
Mr. Pacheco would like staff to write TCI a letter requesting an update on the TCI task
list, time lines, and franchise obligations.
A. Schedule_ Site
None
B. Calendar.;
The Committee was reminded of the following calendar schedule.
1. Regular Meeting, Allen Public Library, April 25, 7:00 pm.
C. Items of Interest to the Committee
Mr. Westfall informed the committee of a new work number 978-1399 Mr.
Huber also had a change in work number of 745-8611.
Mr. Huber suggested time constraints on agenda items to order for the meetings
to end at a decent time period.
Several members suggested that the agenda be cleared and discuss the rate
increase only
Mr. Pacheco would like TCI to provide a better explanation of the franchise
fees.
1 • B.L
Mr. Huber moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Westfall seconded. This meeting
was officially adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
1 hese minutes read and approved this 25th day of
Don Wing, Chair" erson Mark Pach co, Secretary