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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCable TV - 1996 - 01_25MINUTES ALLEN CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING January 25, 1996 Members Present: Douglas Dreggors, Vice -Chairperson Bill Huber Ty Westfall Sherry Bennett Mark Pacheco Members Absent: Don Wing, Chairperson Eric Willard Staff Present: Michael Stanger Donna Holden I CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM: 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 -Chairperson Doug Dreggors at 7:09 p.m. on Thursday, January 25 1996, in the Meeting Room of the Allen Public Library, Two Allen Civic Plaza, Allen, Texas. The following items were discussed: APPROVAL OF MINUTES The January 11, 1996 minutes were approved as written with a motion made by Ty Westfall and seconded by Mark Pacheco. All approved. GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNELS Michael Stanger presented a list of issues to the committee regarding TCI's obligations/duties listed in the Franchise Agreement. Mr. Pacheco asked staff to provide a copy of the list, in a chronological format, so that committee members could monitor TCI's compliance. To Mr. Dreggors' question, Mr. Stanger responded that the first responsibility for enforcement belonged to staff, but legal remedies are available if necessary Mr. Stanger informed the committee that he had spoken with Eric Willard by telephone regarding his school liaison project. Mr. Willard has met with the school superintendent who conveyed they also would like to get their equipment from TCI and me looking forward to working with the City Mr. Willard will provide more information at the next meeting. Page 2 of 3 CTTAC Minutes January 25, 1996 Mr. Stanger told the committee he contacted the City of Richardson and learned the following. The City has three staff members who mainly produce videos for the city council and staff. Richardson public access channel is operated by TCI. Mr. Stanger also spoke to staff at the Dallas Cable Access, a private non-profit agency which operates the public access channels in Dallas for TCI. Mr. Huber asked if the school district would use the public access channel. Mr. Stanger said they would have their own channel, but sharing may be possible. Mr. Pacheco asked to get a copy of the rules the AISD has regarding their education access channel. Mr. Stanger asked the committee members if they would be interested in touring other city public access facilities. All members present expressed they would be very interested. Mr. Huber recommended the City of North Richland Hills, which also has a citizen's advisory committee. To a question by Mr. Stanger, committee members responded that they would prefer to implement the government channel first, and then the public access channel. Mr. Pacheco and Mr. Huber suggested that this would give the City experience with procedures and equipment to produce our own programs before inviting the public to use it. Mr. Pacheco also asked that, if allowed by the franchise agreement, the City approach TCI about administering the public channel. He also asked staff to determine whether or not our current system would permit staff to cablecast videotapes. He further suggested that staff poll department heads for ideas on cable programming. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Westfall passed out information provided by TCI about commonly asked questions which will be helpful in producing a mail -out brochure. After reviewing the information, all members agreed the brochure should contain information about channel offerings, rates, the rebuild, the committee, the future of our government and public access channels and a form for making comments or questions to the committee. Mr. Stanger will check with the City Manager about approving the costs associated with the mail -out. Mr. Stanger asked all members if they wanted staff to post notice of the next meeting on television. All members present agreed. Mr. Dreggors asked if Joann Holtzclaw could attend the next meeting. Mr. Stanger will check with her. Mr. Stanger will also check on another tour date I Page 3 of 3 CTTAC Minutes January 25, 1996 at the TO facilities. Mr. Westfall suggested we contact Carrollton/Farmers Branch to tour their facility Mr. Huber suggested that another option would be that only one committee member attend a tour and bring information back to the committee. All members agreed this was a good idea. Mr. Stanger mentioned that Mr. Willard has missed three meetings and suggested the next meeting agenda reflect excusing his absences. After some discussion, members agreed that this will be done on a case-by-case basis. ITEMS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMITTEE Mr. Stanger passed out a letter written by the City Manager in response to a citizen complaint. Next meeting will be February 8, 1996, 7:00 p.m. at the Library meeting room. Mr. Westfall will not be able to attend this meeting due to being out of town. ADJOURNED Mr. Huber moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Pacheco seconded. This meeting was officially adjourned at 8:40 p.m. These minutes read and approved this 8th day of February, 1996. Chairperson Secretary I