Cable TV - 1998 - 07_09MINUTES
CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 9, 1998 - 7:00 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Don Wing
Eric Willard
Sherry Delling
Doug Dreggors
Remy Tholen (Arrived late)
Carl Johnson
Bill Kapka (Arrived late)
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 7:03 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 1998, at the
Municipal Annex Conference Room, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. The
following items were discussed:
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 11, 1998, REGULAR
MEETING
MOTION: Mr Eric Willard made a motion to approve the minutes as
written for the June 11, 1998, meeting. Ms. Delling seconded.
The Motion carried 5 for, and 0 against.
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Michael Stanger
Ann Maas
GUESTS PRESENT:
Ricky Allen, TCI of North Texas
Jim Chism, CoServe
John Prichard, CoServe
I. CALL TO ORDER
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 7:03 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 1998, at the
Municipal Annex Conference Room, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. The
following items were discussed:
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 11, 1998, REGULAR
MEETING
MOTION: Mr Eric Willard made a motion to approve the minutes as
written for the June 11, 1998, meeting. Ms. Delling seconded.
The Motion carried 5 for, and 0 against.
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JULY 9, 1998
PAGE
III. CITIZENS COMMENTS
None.
Don Wing gave a report on the complaint call received from Mr. Lunsford
about TCI saying it would take 8 days to reconnect him for cable service. Ricky
Allen advised that the standard time for this would be 3 days.
IV. REPORT OF ANALOG SYSTEM UPGRADE BY TCI
Ricky Allen handed out a copy of the newspaper article on the analog upgrade
and other related material being used to notify citizens of work going on in the
area. He also advised the Committee on the following items:
1. Fiber to the node has been installed and now they are ready to complete laying
the lines in the older areas of town.
2. A door hanger will be used to inform the citizens of the work being done, the
new channels available, and advertising the cable service with a coupon
included for free installation.
3. One person has been added to TCI staff to handle all complaints on the
upgrade and make sure they are managed properly
4. The contractor's goal is to have the system ready by November 1 and TCI's
goal is to have the customers seeing the channels by December 1
5. TCI may offer a self install digital kit in our area. It is being done in the
Houston area right now and it has been very successful.
6 Digital package will also improve due to the upgrade, with no foreseen
additional charge.
7 Throughout the town TCI is putting in standby power supply
8. Out of 346 new homes requesting cable service only 16 houses do not have it.
Ricky Allen then requested the Committee advise him if they want to tum on the
service in areas as they are ready or do they want to wait and offer it to all homes
at the same time. After discussion the Committee decided they would like to see
it turned on as it is available.
V. DISCUSS TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Michael introduced Jim Chism and John Prichard of CoServe who advised the
Committee about what CoServe has planned for Allen in the future.
i CoServe Communications provides Telecom, Telephone, Data and Internet
I' service. They recently received authority to provide phone service in our area.
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JULY 9, 1998
PAGE
i CoServe does have plans to provide cable service in the future, they are looking to
partner with a provider on this, and should have a decision on this within the next
30 days. At the present time CoServe provides electric service to the west side of
Allen.
John Prichard advised the Committee about the LMDS B block license, which
CoServe recently won. Jim Chism advised that they we still in the development
stage of this and may just market this in commercial areas.
The Committee asked Mr. Chism and Mr. Prichard if they had any advice to offer
on what the City of Allen could do to encourage new businesses to move here.
They provided the following comments:
1 Reasonable Franchise Agreements and Fees.
2. Ease of obtaining permits.
3. Encourage Internet connection in local schools.
4. Providing a network or loop could only be helpful, but may not be necessary
After discussion the Committee decided they would like to have more input
from others in order to complete the Telecommunications Plan. Michael Stanger
advised he would contact Marcie Diamond, City Planner and David Pitstick,
Economic Development Director and request they come speak with the
Committee about the future plans for growth of Allen.
Bill Kapka advised he would contact John Harkins of Bosh to see if he would
come and talk to the Committee at the next meeting on July 22.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A. TCI Compliance with Franchise Agreement.
Michael Stanger advised the Committee that the City Attorney, Don
Crowder, advised him to go ahead and deposit the $74,000 check
received from TCI for liquidated damages and that he would need more
time to make a decision on how to pursue this. The upstream feed is
now in the works and should be completed shortly
B. Items of Interest to the Committee.
Policy Governance.
I
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JULY 9, 1998
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Michael Stanger advised the Committee that City Council has adopted a
Policy Governance Ordinance and the Council will be reevaluating all
Boards and Commissions to make sure they comply with this Policy
Mr Stanger advised the Committee he does not anticipate any changes
for this Committee, other than the Chair would give reports to the
Council.
C. Calendar.
i+ Special called workshop meeting will be on July 22, 1998, in the
Municipal Annex Conference Room, at 7:00 p.m.
Y The next regular meeting will be on August 13, 1998, in the
Municipal Annex Conference Room, at 7:00 p.m
VII. ADJOURN
MOTION: Mr. Dreggors moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr Willard
seconded. The Motion carried with 7 for, 0 against. This
meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
These minutes read and approved this 22nd day of July, 1998.
Don Wing, Chairman Sherry lling, Seer y