Cable TV - 1996 - 05_09MINUTES
CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
May 9, 1996
Members Present:
Don Wing, Chairperson
Douglas Dreggors, Vice -Chairperson
Eric Willard
Sherry Bennett
Bill Huber
Members Absent:
Mark Pacheco, Secretary
Ty Westfall
Staff Present:
Michael Stanger, Assistant City Manager
Donna Miller, Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM
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 7.47 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 1996 in the meeting room of the Allen Public
Library, Two Allen Civic Plaza, Allen, Texas. The following items were discussed:
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The April 25, 1996 minutes were approved as written with a motion made by Mr.
Huber and seconded by Mr. Willard. All approved.
None. Michael Stanger informed the committee about a citizen complaint he received
by phone regarding the rate increase. Mr Stanger said he asked the caller to submit a
letter of complaint that we could use to file with the FCC.
IV DISCUSS FORM 12411 RATE FILING BY TCI AND CONSIDER
BECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL
Mr. Stanger reviewed with the committee a letter dated May 1, 1996 from JoAnn
Page 2 of 3
CTTAC Minutes
May 9, 1996
Holtzclaw, her response to his letter requesting information on their franchise
obligations.
Mr. Stanger handed out a spreadsheet comparing channel line-ups and rates between
Allen and Plano systems.
He next reviewed with the committee a TCI letter dated April 29, 1996 to Jon McCarty
regarding TCI's explanation of why they are increasing the rates, and that the rates will
be effective June 1.
Mr. Stanger briefed the committee on his discussion with Tim Lay, cable TV attorney
for the City of Allen. Mr. Lay suggested a rate study would not be worth the
expenditure at this time, as it might cost $20,000 to protest the 50 -cent rate hike. He
went on to say that a rate study might be worthwhile when TCI increases rates with the
system upgrade. Members present agreed to hold off on a rate study at this time.
Mr. Stanger spoke to JoAnn Holtzclaw today about delaying the rate increase, but she
was not receptive. He scheduled a conference call for Friday, April 26 at 4:00 p.m.
with Nancy Murphy, TCI Director of Regulatory Affairs. All committee members
were invited to attend. Mr. Wing and Mr Dreggors confirmed they could attend.
Mr. Stanger informed the committee he called the City of Richardson and obtained
contact names and phone numbers of representatives with Southwestern Bell Video and
will be calling them soon. He said Richardson is in the middle of negotiating a new
franchise agreement and is not challenging their Form 1240 increase. He also reported
that the City of McKinney is not acting on their TCI rate filing.
Mr. Stanger discussed the FCC order for final resolution of CPST rate complaints
against TCI. Mr. Stanger pointed out two pertinent parts of this order. 1) TCI will
refund $9.1 million to 4,685,000 subscribers, including 5,867 Allen subscribers, no
later than June 30, 1996. This averages $1.93 per person. 2) TCI may move any four
basic services to a new production tier, but not require subscribing to other tiers before
getting the new tier
Mr. Stanger suggested that the committee report to the city council about the status of
the rate increase issue and the committee's position. Mr. Huber suggested the report
include steps the committee has taken so far and the committee's disappointment with
TCI. Mr. Wing agreed to give the report and Mr. Huber volunteered to assist. Mr.
Stanger will work with Mr. Wing on this presentation. Members present agreed to
recommend that the City Council take no action on TCI's rate filing.
Page 3 of 3
CTTAC Minutes
May 9, 1996
VII.
E VIII.
The committee discussed the obligations and reviewed the letter Mr. Stanger sent to
TCI, JoAnn Holtzclaw Mr. Stanger will call Ms. Holtzclaw to see if the items have
been done.
All members present agreed to table this item until the rate increase issue has been
resolved.
Mr. Huber visited the City of Richland Hills and obtained a copy of their by-laws
which will be copied and passed out at the next meeting.
A. Calendar:
All members present agreed to schedule the next regular meeting for June 13,
7:00 pm. at the Allen Public Library
B. Items of Interest to the Committee
Mr. Willard shared information about a northern city that sent out a request for
proposal for cable -telecommunications two years ahead of their franchise
renewal time and did a community study on what the citizens wanted.
IX. ADJOURN
Mr Dreggors moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Willard seconded. This meeting
was officially adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
These lutes read and approved this 13th day of J/y/ne 19
Don Wing, Chairperson Mark Pac eco, Secretary