Cable TV - 1999 - 10_14MINUTES
CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 14, 1999 - 7:00 P.M.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Don Wing, Chair
Doug Dreggors, Vice -Chair
Eric Willard, Secretary
Remy Tholen
Bill Kapka
Carl Johnson
Steven Knaack
ABSENT:
None.
STAFF:
Michael Stanger, Assistant City Manager
Ann Maas, Administrative Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Dennis Watson, AT&T Government Affairs Coordinator
Vince Thomae, AT&T Customer Operations Manager
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 7:03 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 1999, in the Municipal
Annex Conference Room located at One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas.
The following items were discussed:
II. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 9, 1999, REGULAR
MEETING
CTTAC Minutes
October 14, 1999
Page 2
MOTION: Doug Dreggors made a motion to approve the minutes as written
for the September 9, 1999, meeting. Carl Johnson seconded.
The motion carried 7 for and 0 against.
III. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Michael Stanger introduced new Board member Steven Knaack
The Board then reviewed a complaint received from Ms. Harvey about EAS
charges.
Dennis Watson advised cabling has been completed to Bethany Creek Estates.
Michael Stanger then requested Mr Watson advise what AT&T is doing to
inform residents that service is now available in that area Mr Watson
informed the Board that it is normal practice for the contractor doing the cabling
to tag the doors in the area once the job is completed. He does not know for
sure if this was done in this area, but will check and advise.
Mr Watson gave an update that sun outages were not a problem this time
around.
IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS — CHAIR, VICE -CHAIR AND SECRETARY.
Chair, Don Wing opened the floor for nominations.
MOTION: Motion by Doug Dreggors to nominate and appoint Don Wing to the
Office of Chair Eric Willard seconded. The motion carried 7 for,
and 0 against.
MOTION: Motion by Carl Johnson to nominate and appoint Doug Dreggors to
the Office of Vice -Chair Bill Kapka seconded. The motion carried
7 for, and 0 against.
MOTION: Motion by Carl Johnson to nominate and appoint Eric Willard to the
Office of Secretary Bill Kapka seconded. The motion carried 7
for, and 0 against.
V. TABLED ITEM: Consider Final Report to City Council Concerning Ends
Policies Related to Telecommunications.
The Board reviewed all the information compiled since the last meeting. After
I'. review and discussion, the Board made further changes, which were noted by
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October 14, 1999
Page 3
Eric Willard. The Board then requested staff retype the report to incorporate
the changes, and the Board will work on finalizing the report at next month's
meeting.
During further discussion there was a question as to who provides information
to new residents on telecommunications providers. Michael Stanger advised
that when he moved to Allen, he received all sorts of information, through
Welcome Wagon and other such organizations. The City also provides
information in a welcome packet, which is given out to residents as they sign up
for water service. There were questions as to whether the City should be
providing this information or should they simply refer people to the Chamber of
Commerce. Mr. Stanger will review the information provided by the City and
establish if changes are necessary
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
A. AT&T Compliance with Franchise Agreement.
1995 Annual Subscriber Report.
Dennis Watson fielded questions from the Board on the subscriber report
ill and after discussion Mr. Stanger advised, staff will gather the various
reports submitted and verify they are in compliance with Section 16 (f) and
Section 17 (a) of the Cable Communications Ordinance.
Mr. Watson then introduced Vince Thomae who is the AT&T Customer
Operations Manager for our area.
Mr. Thomae fielded several questions about the problem residents of
Bethany Creek Estates experienced when calling to have new service hooked
up, and advised what is being done to make sure the problem is corrected.
Mr. Thomae advised there were several problems that occurred: the main
one being the database not being updated in a timely manner. Therefore, the
customer service reps could not tell the area was serviceable. This has now
been corrected.
There was discussion about the poor reception on Channel 4 and if AT&T
was doing anything correct this. Mr Thomae advised they are in the
process of contracting for a direct feed, which would take care of the
problem.
CTTAC Minutes
October 14, 1999
Page 4
B. Legislative Update:
1161777
Michael Stanger gave a report on a workshop he recently attended on
HB1777 The workshop went into the new law in-depth and in particular
covered the reporting requirements that would be placed on cities in the near
future. The PUC will be sending out forms to cities requiring the following
info be provided by December 1, 1999- 999•
The total money that was collected in franchise fees in calendar year
1998.
The base amount of compensation that was received in 1998.
How does the City want that money allocated between future customers?
Customer categories will consist of residential customers, non-
residential and high capacity customers.
Mr Stanger also advised Franchise agreements will have to be undone, as
everything will be handled by a statewide agreement.
The City of El Paso has filed a motion calling into question the validity of
this ruling.
During further discussion Steven Knaack advised he also attended the
workshop and provided information based on his prospective as someone
working for a telecommunications provider
After much discussion Mr Stanger advised he provide an update at next
month's meeting.
C. Items of Interest to the Committee:
1. AT&T Pre -qualification Program.
Dennis Watson advised this program is necessary to minimize losses
from bad debt. It will enable AT&T to review previous account history
and if okay, a deposit will not be required. If a deposit is required due
to poor history, it will then be reflected as a credit to the customer's bill
after 12 service months.
2. Calendar:
r Next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, October 14,
1999, in the Municipal Annex Conference Room at 7 00 p.m.
CTTAC Minutes
October 14, 1999
Page 5
r Boards and Commissions Appreciation Dinner will be held
December 1, 1999, at 7:00 p m. at Eldorado Country Club.
VII. ADJOURN
MOTION: Carl Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Doug
Dreggors seconded. The motion carried 7 for, and 0 against. The
meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
These minutes read and approved this l Ith day of November, 1999
Don Wing, hair
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Eric Willard, Secretary