Cable TV - 1999 - 04_08MINUTES
CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 8, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Don Wing
Bill Kapka
Eric Willard
Remy Tholen (arrived late)
Carl Johnson
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Sherry Delling
Doug Dreggors
STAFF PRESENT:
Michael Stanger, Assistant City Manager
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 06p.m. on Thursday, April 8, 1999, at the Municipal Annex Conference Room,
One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. The following items were discussed:
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 11, 1999, REGULAR
MEETING
MOTION: Eric Willard made a motion to approve the minutes as written for the
March 11, 1999 meeting. Carl Johnson seconded. The Motion carried 4
for, and 0 against.
A Board member advised he lost cable modem service for four hours one day
IV. CONSIDER FINAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL CONCERNING ENDS
POLICIES RELATED TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
Michael Stanger outlined the items discussed to date to preparation for the report to
Council. After further discussion Mr. Stanger advised he would review the information
which Bill Kapka emailed to him, and work on tying the information together for the
Board to review at the next meeting.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
A. TCI Compliance with Franchise Agreement.
1. 1998 refunds.
Michael Stanger reviewed correspondence received from Joe Lengfellner of
TCI, which included printed verification that TCI had implemented the rate
refund to customers.
2. Transfer to AT&T.
Michael Stanger advised he had a meeting recently with TCI representatives to
discuss the City's approval of transfer of the TCI franchise agreement to
AT&T Mr Stanger advised this is under review and a decision will be
forthcoming.
B. Update: TCI Rate Filing.
Michael Stanger routed a copy of correspondence from TCI to C2 Consulting,
responding to a request for additional information on the rate filing. Mr. Stanger
advised he should be receiving a report from C2 Consulting soon.
Mr. Stanger reviewed a Cable TV rate comparison chart, which he is in the
process of compiling with information derived from a survey faxed to other local
TCI cities. Only one city out of three has responded at this point, therefore staff
will follow-up with the other cities and the chart will be updated as responses are
Creceived.
CTTAC Minutes
April 8, 1999
Page 2
III. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
A Board member advised he lost cable modem service for four hours one day
IV. CONSIDER FINAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL CONCERNING ENDS
POLICIES RELATED TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
Michael Stanger outlined the items discussed to date to preparation for the report to
Council. After further discussion Mr. Stanger advised he would review the information
which Bill Kapka emailed to him, and work on tying the information together for the
Board to review at the next meeting.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
A. TCI Compliance with Franchise Agreement.
1. 1998 refunds.
Michael Stanger reviewed correspondence received from Joe Lengfellner of
TCI, which included printed verification that TCI had implemented the rate
refund to customers.
2. Transfer to AT&T.
Michael Stanger advised he had a meeting recently with TCI representatives to
discuss the City's approval of transfer of the TCI franchise agreement to
AT&T Mr Stanger advised this is under review and a decision will be
forthcoming.
B. Update: TCI Rate Filing.
Michael Stanger routed a copy of correspondence from TCI to C2 Consulting,
responding to a request for additional information on the rate filing. Mr. Stanger
advised he should be receiving a report from C2 Consulting soon.
Mr. Stanger reviewed a Cable TV rate comparison chart, which he is in the
process of compiling with information derived from a survey faxed to other local
TCI cities. Only one city out of three has responded at this point, therefore staff
will follow-up with the other cities and the chart will be updated as responses are
Creceived.
CTTAC Minutes
April 8, 1999
Page 3
There was discussion on the channel lineup: Mr. Lengfellner advised that Allen's
channel lineup is not completely the same as surrounding cities, but we are now
within 6 channels. He also advised we have 160 digital channels, some of which
are pay per view and some are music channels.
C. CoSery Cable TV Franchise.
CoSery has requested an agreement to provide Cable TV service only in new
areas Joe Lengfellner advised that TCI is opposed to this, as CoSery would have
an unfair advantage over TCI by not meeting the same requirements as they do.
After discussion on this topic the Board was of the consensus that they were not
interested in bringing new cable service to town on a discriminating basis. CoSery
must provide service on an equal basis.
Michael Stanger advised CoSery presently provides electric, gas and phone
services to the west side of town At this time CoSery only has an interim
franchise agreement to provide phone service within the city, due to the fact that
there is a bill (HB1614) pending in the state legislature, which may warrant
changes to these agreements. Mr. Stanger advised that the City is opposed to this
bill.
Mr Lengfellner then discussed TCPs upcoming upgrades and gave an overview of
TCI's local fiber optic system. Eric Willard requested TCI provide a map showing
the fiber optic line system within the City of Allen. Joe Lengfellner will send Mr.
Stanger a copy
Mr. Lengfellner then left the meeting.
D. Items of Interest to the Committee.
1. Calendar:
r Next regular meeting Thursday, May 13, 1999, in the Municipal Annex
Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Stanger advised that TCI is having a CEO roundtable luncheon on April
15, and invited anyone interested to attend. Eric Willard advised he would
like to attend.
2. Final Recommendation made to City Council on Wireless Communications
Ordinance.
Eric Willard advised there are a few typos and one small correction, which
staff noted and will forward to the Planning Department.
I
CTTAC Minutes
April 8, 1999
Page 4
VI. ADJOURN
MOTION: Carl Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting. Remy Tholen seconded. The
motion carried with 5 for, and 0 against. This meeting was adjourned at
8:25 p.m.
These minutes read and approved this 13" day of May, 1999
Don Wing, Chairman
VL"4
Eric Willard, Secretary