Cable TV - 1999 - 02_11MINUTES
CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 1999 — 7:00 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Don Wing
Bill Kapka
Eric Willard
Remy Tholen
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Carl Johnson
Sherry Delling
Doug Dreggors
STAFF PRESENT:
Michael Stanger, Assistant City Manager
I Ann Maas, Administrative Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
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 7:01p.m. on Thursday. February 11, 1999, at the Municipal Annex Conference
Room, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. The following items were discussed:
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 14, 1999, REGULAR
MEETING.
MOTION: Eric Willard made a motion to approve the minutes as written for the
January 14, 1999 meeting. Bill Kapka seconded. The Motion carried 4
for, and 0 against.
Rev Dale Gregoriew, 907 Springbrook, spoke to the Committee about a request to
have the Odyssey Network channel here in Allen. In the past, Reverend Gregoriew
contacted TCI to request this channel be added, but TCI responded that they lacked the
equipment needed to carry the extra channel. Now that the upgrade has taken place the
Reverend advised he is looking for direction on how to have this channel added. Joe
Lengfellner of TCI responded by giving an overview of the channel lineup and methods
TCI used to select the channels, then advised he would go back and register the
Reverend's request with TCI. Reverend Gregoriew said he would initiate a petition or
start a calling campaign, if that would help. Mr Lengfellner advised it would help, as
TCI does keep a register of the most requested channels.
Mr. Lengfellner then gave an update on the recent rate settlement and advised the
10,600 refund would amount to a little over $6 to each customer with a converter box.
Discussion then took place on the following items:
The possibility of TCI doing a survey of customer base.
A joint City and TCI citizen input survey
How is TCI grading itself - Mr. Lengfellner will get the Committee information on
standards and goals they use, based on the national benchmarks.
Issue raised at recent TCCFUI conference attended by Michael Stanger about fiber
to node upgrade creating excess bandwidth, and the possibility of using this for
voice and data communications to the City. Mr. Lengfellner responded that
corporate TCI is opposing "institutional networks" at this time.
Michael Stanger advised he would contact Joe Lengfellner and Vince Thomae of TCI to
set up a meeting for further discussion on these issues.
There being no further discussion, Joe Lengfellner and Reverend Gregoriew left the
meeting.
IV. TABLED ITEM: ADOPT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL
REGARDING PROPOSED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS
ORDINANCE.
After discussion the Committee decided they needed further clarification on this item.
Eric Willard advised he would get with Doug Dreggors before next month's meeting
and have a response prepared on the following questions the Committee raised:
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CTTAC Minutes
February 11, 1999
Page 2
III. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Rev Dale Gregoriew, 907 Springbrook, spoke to the Committee about a request to
have the Odyssey Network channel here in Allen. In the past, Reverend Gregoriew
contacted TCI to request this channel be added, but TCI responded that they lacked the
equipment needed to carry the extra channel. Now that the upgrade has taken place the
Reverend advised he is looking for direction on how to have this channel added. Joe
Lengfellner of TCI responded by giving an overview of the channel lineup and methods
TCI used to select the channels, then advised he would go back and register the
Reverend's request with TCI. Reverend Gregoriew said he would initiate a petition or
start a calling campaign, if that would help. Mr Lengfellner advised it would help, as
TCI does keep a register of the most requested channels.
Mr. Lengfellner then gave an update on the recent rate settlement and advised the
10,600 refund would amount to a little over $6 to each customer with a converter box.
Discussion then took place on the following items:
The possibility of TCI doing a survey of customer base.
A joint City and TCI citizen input survey
How is TCI grading itself - Mr. Lengfellner will get the Committee information on
standards and goals they use, based on the national benchmarks.
Issue raised at recent TCCFUI conference attended by Michael Stanger about fiber
to node upgrade creating excess bandwidth, and the possibility of using this for
voice and data communications to the City. Mr. Lengfellner responded that
corporate TCI is opposing "institutional networks" at this time.
Michael Stanger advised he would contact Joe Lengfellner and Vince Thomae of TCI to
set up a meeting for further discussion on these issues.
There being no further discussion, Joe Lengfellner and Reverend Gregoriew left the
meeting.
IV. TABLED ITEM: ADOPT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL
REGARDING PROPOSED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS
ORDINANCE.
After discussion the Committee decided they needed further clarification on this item.
Eric Willard advised he would get with Doug Dreggors before next month's meeting
and have a response prepared on the following questions the Committee raised:
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CTTAC Minutes
February 11, 1999
Page 3
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.
V. DISCUSS TELECOMMUNICATION PLAN: Policy Options and Implications.
Michael Stanger opened discussion by reviewing the listed comments on this topic from
last month's minutes. Further discussion took place and the Committee decided they
would continue on by formulating a report, which will be presented to Council.
Towards this end Mr. Stanger gave an overview of a recent report he did on larger lots
and advised he would send a copy of this to everyone for review prior to the next
meeting.
The following ideas or questions were raised during discussion:
How do you measure this Committee's success?
How can this Committee pass along knowledge to future members?
What does Council want from this Committee?
This Committee could help provide Council with information to enable them to
write Ends policies where needed.
Mr. Stanger advised the Council expects this Committee to come up with a plan and
towards this end he suggested the Committee take a report to Council on things they
might want to consider and what the benefits and cost would be to the citizens. After
much discussion it was decided the Committee would continue this process by Bill
Kapka writing something up based on the Ends policies discussed so far, and emailing
it to everyone for review prior to next meeting. Michael Stanger and Eric Willard
offered to help in this process and requested Mr. Kapka call them if needed.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A. TCI Compliance with Franchise Agreement.
No further discussion at this time.
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CTTAC Minutes
February 11, 1999
Page 4
B. Items of Interest to the Committee.
Metricom ROW Agreement.
Michael Stanger advised the city is going to sign this agreement as an
administrative measure, even though they are not required to have a franchise
agreement, and the city will receive 4% of gross revenues. Don Wing raised a
question about Section 1.9 on Page 2. Michael Stanger advised he would
check into this.
Media Relations Policy.
Michael Stanger requested the Committee review the section of the policy
relating to Boards.
Don Wing advised he was invited to speak to the Leadership Allen class on
February 19 Mr. Wing also received a request to speak to the Rotary Sunrise
Club in March or April, and since he is unable to attend, Eric Willard
volunteered.
Report of Legislature's Interim Telecommunications Advisory Committee.
Michael Stanger advised this will be an important issue this legislative session.
No further discussion.
Articles of Interest.
None.
Calendar
Y Next regular meeting Thursday, March 11, 1999, in the Municipal Annex
Conference Room at 7 00 p.m.
VII. ADJOURN
MOTION: Bill Kapka moved to adjourn the meeting. Eric Willard seconded. The
motion carried with 4 for, and 0 against. This meeting was adjourned at
9.40 p.m.
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CTTAC Minutes
February 11, 1999
Page 5
These minutes read and approved this 11" day of March, 1999
Don Wing, Chairmaft — , Eric//Nillard, Secretary
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