Cable TV - 1999 - 01_14MINUTES
CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 14, 1999 — 7:00 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Don Wing
Bill Kapka
Eric Willard (arrived late)
Doug Dreggors
Sherry Delling
Remy Tholen
1:117.1R130I0I3I:3011IR3 A0.9W99
Carl Johnson
STAFF PRESENT:
Michael Stanger, Assistant City Manager
Ann Maas, Administrative Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Ricky Allen, TCI General Manager
Vince Thomae, TCI General Manager
Joe Lengfellner, TCI Government Affairs Coordinator
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 Chair Don Wing
at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 1999, at the Municipal Annex Conference
Room, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. The following items were discussed:
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 10, 1998, REGULAR
MEETING.
MOTION: Doug Dreggors made a motion to approve the minutes as written for the
December 10, 1998 meeting. Bill Kapka seconded. The Motion carried
5 for, and 0 against.
IV. ADOPT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING
SETTLEMENT OF RATE AND REFUND ISSUES WITH TCI.
Ricky Allen of TCI introduced Vince Thomae, who is the new TCI general manager
for our area and Joe Lengfellner, the new Government Affairs Coordinator.
Michael Stanger handed out a copy of the settlement letter received from TCI. He
asked the Committee to support the settlement recommendation to Council. The
settlement contains a $10,600 refund to be split equally among everyone who has a
cable converter box, and a $ 02 reduction in basic cable rates effective June 1, 1998.
Michael Stanger advised he would request an updated count of cable converter boxes
from TCI.
Ricky Allen and Vince Thomae gave an overview of how the F C.C. and TCI set rates.
Vince Thomae advised that the 1995 rules were implemented and followed by all cable
companies. Richardson won their rate case at the F C C., but TCI feels that upon
appeal this will be rescinded.
Remy Tholen led a discussion on the need for a customer service survey on TCI.
Vince Thomae advised that each new customer receives a questionnaire in the
installation packet and this includes questions about customer service.
Ricky Allen advised AT&T will take over as of April 1, 1999 and they have already
put stringent customer service requirements in place at TCI.
There being no further questions, Ricky Allen, Vince Thomae and Joe Lengfellner left
the meeting.
MOTION: Eric Willard made a motion to adopt a recommendation to the City
Council regarding settlement of rate and refund issues with TCI. Bill
Kapka seconded. The Motion carried 6 for, and 0 against.
V. ADOPT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING
PROPOSED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS ORDINANCE.
CTTAC Minutes
January 14, 1999
Page 2
III. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
None.
IV. ADOPT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING
SETTLEMENT OF RATE AND REFUND ISSUES WITH TCI.
Ricky Allen of TCI introduced Vince Thomae, who is the new TCI general manager
for our area and Joe Lengfellner, the new Government Affairs Coordinator.
Michael Stanger handed out a copy of the settlement letter received from TCI. He
asked the Committee to support the settlement recommendation to Council. The
settlement contains a $10,600 refund to be split equally among everyone who has a
cable converter box, and a $ 02 reduction in basic cable rates effective June 1, 1998.
Michael Stanger advised he would request an updated count of cable converter boxes
from TCI.
Ricky Allen and Vince Thomae gave an overview of how the F C.C. and TCI set rates.
Vince Thomae advised that the 1995 rules were implemented and followed by all cable
companies. Richardson won their rate case at the F C C., but TCI feels that upon
appeal this will be rescinded.
Remy Tholen led a discussion on the need for a customer service survey on TCI.
Vince Thomae advised that each new customer receives a questionnaire in the
installation packet and this includes questions about customer service.
Ricky Allen advised AT&T will take over as of April 1, 1999 and they have already
put stringent customer service requirements in place at TCI.
There being no further questions, Ricky Allen, Vince Thomae and Joe Lengfellner left
the meeting.
MOTION: Eric Willard made a motion to adopt a recommendation to the City
Council regarding settlement of rate and refund issues with TCI. Bill
Kapka seconded. The Motion carried 6 for, and 0 against.
V. ADOPT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING
PROPOSED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS ORDINANCE.
CTTAC Minutes
January 14, 1999
Page 3
After discussion the Committee decided to table this item until next meeting, while
awaiting clarification on the following questions:
Section E Antenna Mounting Standards (2) Residential Zoning: Don Wing
questioned how this could be enforced upon residents who already have visible dish
antenna.
Section D Tower Location Standards (2) Bill Kapka questioned how existing ham
radio antenna and similar towers in backyards would be handled; would they be
grandfathered in.
Section E Antenna Mounting Standards 2 (e): Committee questioned whether this
should read linear feet in lieu of square feet.
Michael Stanger and subcommittee members will get clarification and report back at
next month's meeting.
MOTION: Bill Kapka made a motion to table this item until next month pending
further information. Sherry Delling seconded. The Motion carried 6
for, and 0 against.
Eric Willard then excused himself and left the meeting.
VI. DISCUSS TELECOMMUNICATION PLAN
POLICY GOVERNANCE ENDS POLICY - 1.2 HEALTH ENVIRONMENT
Michael Stanger gave an overview of Policy Governance and led discussion on the
ends which telecommunications could achieve, consistent with the City Council's
Ends policies.
Safety
Instant communications - in the event of crime, disaster, illness or injury
Appropriate notification in the event of a disaster
Facilities themselves are safe
Quality of Life
Timely information regarding community events
Aesthetically inoffensive
The Committee held further discussion and decided to revisit the topic of safety due
to the recent SWB outage of both the main 911 and backup systems. Don Wing
CTTAC Minutes
January 14, 1999
Page 4
voiced concern that the SWB backup cable should not be in the same location as the
main cable.
Michael Stanger advised he would forward further information to the Committee on
Policy Governance prior to the next meeting.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS
A. TCI Compliance with Franchise Agreement.
No further discussion at this time.
B. Items of Interest to the Committee.
Calendar
r Next regular meeting Thursday, February 11, 1999, in the Municipal Annex
Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.
VIII. ADJOURN
MOTION: Doug Dreggors moved to adjourn the meeting. Sherry Detling seconded.
The motion carried with 5 for, and 0 against. This meeting was adjourned
at 9:30 p.m.
These minutes read and approved this 11" day of February, 1999
Don Wing, Chairman
L.
Eric Willard, Secretary