Cable TV - 1999 - 06_10MINUTES
CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 10, 1999 — 7:00 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Doug Dreggors, Vice -chair
Bill Kapka
Eric Willard, Secretary
Carl Johnson
Remy Tholen
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Don Wing, Chair
STAFF PRESENT:
Michael Stanger, Assistant City Manager
Ann Maas, Administrative Secretary
Sally Leeper, Program Coordinator
Peter Tian, Traffic Engineer
OTHERS PRESENT:
Cal Calvin, Vote Yes for the Bond Citizens Committee Member.
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 Vice -chair Doug
Dreggors at 7:03 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, 1999, at the Municipal Amex
Conference Room, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. The following items were
discussed:
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 13, 1999, REGULAR
MEETING
MOTION: Carl Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes as written for the
May 13, 1999, meeting. Eric Willard seconded. The motion carried 5
for, and 0 against.
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CTTAC Minutes
June 10, 1999
Page 2
III. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
The Committee reviewed a list of complaint calls the City received about the TCI rate
increase. There were two additional calls complaining about the 60 -clay wait for
hookup of new service. Staff reported that Joe Lengfellner of TCI advised he would
call the two customers requesting new service and advise them they had been given the
wrong information. Hook-up will be provided within 30 days, as required by the
franchise agreement.
The Committee then discussed the 1998 Telecommunications Survey and after much
discussion, the Committee expressed the need to do a survey of cable subscribers. Mr.
Stanger then recommended this be placed on next month's agenda for discussion.
W. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PRESENTATION.
Sally Leeper introduced Cal Calvin who presented the upcoming $52.5 million bond
election and reviewed the five propositions on the ballot. Various members of city staff
were also on hand to respond to any questions should the need arise.
Peter Tian responded to questions on the road construction at McDermott and Central:
construction is scheduled for completion in approximately 8 to 10 months.
Traffic signals at the intersections will be put in by Texas Department of Transportation
and should be completed in approximately 4 to 5 months.
There being no further questions the bond committee group left the meeting.
V. TABLED ITEM: CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL
CONCERNING CABLE TV RATES FILED BY TCI.
Michael Stanger reviewed the final rate study report received from Connie Cannady of
C2 Consulting. After careful consideration and study, C2 Consulting reports the
following recommendations:
1. Programming Rates (Form 1235) - Set the Maximum Permitted Rate for basic
service at $12.15. This is a reduction from last year's rate of $14.02 (City
negotiated rate).
2. Upgrade Costs (Form 1240) - Set the Maximum Permitted Rate at $1.19
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CTTAC Minutes
June 10, 1999
Page 3
3. Installation and Equipment Rates (Form 1205) -The City should "accept"
without setting a Maximum Permitted Rate) the following rates for hourly service
charges and other installation and equipment:
SERVICE RATES
Hourly Service Charge 27.00
Install - Unwired Home 39.95
Install - Prewired Home 21.50
Install - Additional
Connection Initial 13.95
Install - Additional
Connection Separate 18.95
Move Outlet 18.95
Up/Downgrade 1.99
Downgrade Non -
Addressable 8.95
Upgrade Non -Addressable
13.95
Changing Tiers N/A
Connect VCR Initial 5.95
Connect VCR Separate 12.95
Monthly Lease Rates:
Remotes 0.35
BasicOnl Converter 1.60
Non -Basic Converter 3.50
The expanded basic rate has been set at $18.71. This is an increase from last year's
rate of $10.16 (The City has no jurisdiction over this rate.)
Ms. Cannady's report also advised that TCI would not appeal the agreement.
There was further discussion about true -up and whether TCI will try to come back and
increase the upgrade rate later. Mr. Stanger reported the $1.19 rate is locked in for the
next 12 years. He also advised it is important to set a maximum permitted rate as this
is used to set the rates for the next year
After further discussion the Committee made the following motion:
MOTION: Bill Kapka made a motion to approve a recommendation to City Council as
presented and to set maximum permitted rates as outlined. Eric Willard
Lseconded, and the Motion carried 5 for, and 0 against.
CTTAC Minutes
June 10, 1999
Page 4
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VI. TABLED ITEM: CONSIDER FINAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
CONCERNING ENDS POLICIES RELATED TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
No discussion; left on the table.
VII. CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL RELATING TO
TRANSFER OF CABLE TV FRANCHISE FROM TCI TO AT&T.
Michael Stanger advised TCI has filed a name change request with the City and
enclosed a filing fee of $2,000.
After much discussion about the metrics and standards being used by the new owners,
the Committee decided to table this item until such time as someone from AT&T can
come before the Committee to offer advice on what will be different once they take
over, how services will improve, and what metrics they will use.
MOTION: Carl Johnson made a motion to table this item until such time as someone
from AT&T comes before the Committee to respond to questions raised.
Remy Tholen seconded. The Motion carried 5 for, and 0 against.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
A. TCI Compliance with Franchise Agreement.
No further update at this time.
B. Legislative Update.
Michael Stanger then reviewed HB1777 and noted that anything which has a line
through it is being removed from the bill and anything underlined is being added.
Overall this bill does not appear to benefit cities, even though cities still maintain
the right to manage the right-of-ways. The franchise fees are no longer based on
gross receipts, but rather on a flat rate based on the number of access lines the
company has within the city Also, resellers can elect to pay fees, or not pay, if
Southwestern Bell can prove they paid us for those lines.
C. Items of Interest to the Committee.
The Committee advised they would like to receive a monthly report from TCI to
include the following information:
I. Number of complaint calls received listed by type.
CTTAC Minutes
June 10, 1999
Page 5
2. New customer counts, broken down as follows:
Number of Basic accounts.
Number of expanded basic accounts.
Number of Digital accounts.
Calendar:
Next regular meeting Thursday, July 8, 1999, in the Municipal Annex
Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.
IX. ADJOURN
MOTION: Carl Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting. Bill Kapka seconded. The
motion carried 5 for, and 0 against. This meeting was adjourned at 8:51
p.m.
These minutes read and approved this 8" day of July, 1999
Don Wing, g4giiiifw Eric Wil d, Secretary
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