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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCable TV - 1998 - 03_03MINUTES CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MARCH 3, 1998 — 7:30 P.M. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Don Wing Carl Johnson Bill Kapka Sherry Delling Doug Dreggors BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Huber Eric Willard STAFF PRESENT Michael Stanger Ann Maas OTHERS PRESENT: Approximately 20 Citizens I. CALL TO ORDER With a quorum of the committee present, the "special called" meeting of the Allen Cable TV and Telecommunications Advisory Committee was called to order by Chairperson Don Wing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 1998 at the Allen Public Library Council Chambers located at #2 Allen Civic Plaza, Texas. The following items were discussed: II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 18, 1998 REGULAR MEETING MOTION: Mr. Johnson made a Motion to approve the minutes as written from the February 18, 1998 meeting. Mr. Kapka seconded. The Motion carried 5 for, and 0 against. Page 2 CTTAC Minutes March 3, 1998 III. STAFF PRESENTATION OF DRAFT TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLAN Michael Stanger gave an overview and slide presentation on the purpose and mission of the Committee. IV. CITIZENS COMMENTS Don Wing, Chairman opened the meeting up for citizen comments: Anise Bawa, 806 Squire Court, was unable to stay for the meeting, but completed an appearance card with the following comments. As a member of a multi -culture group, she would like an international channel added to the present cable line up, as would other members of the group who also reside in Allen. Terry Caterisano, 1003 Timbercreek Dr, advised that his background is in engineering with MCI, then presented a slide show outlining his proposal to the Committee on the topic of Tele -education services, which could consist of: On line tutoring for students. Homework assistance. Webs page where students could access homework assignments. Combine the efforts of the schools, library and the City Build an Internet server, with webs site for tutors. Link all the schools on the server. City home page. Public meetings could be viewed and heard. Approximate cost for server would be $10,000 to $20,000. Corporate sponsorship could help with expertise and costs. On final summation Mr. Caterisano presented the Committee with a printed copy of the proposal and volunteered his help, should they decide to go ahead with this project. Byron Smith, 616 Rockcrossing, spoke to the Committee about cable service franchise agreement and bandwidth. The present bandwidth is limiting the video capabilities, as it is not high enough. Mr. Smith is employed by ISD DataCom a company that makes cable modems. He informed the Committee about a company called Multi Media Cablevision of Edmond, OK which is running 10 MHz both ways with high speed internet connection to the schools. He also wanted to know if it was possible for the City to tap into TCI bandwidth that they are not using. The City of Richardson is using this capability to monitor traffic flows and stops. Page 3 CTTAC Minutes March 3, 1998 Jason Smith, 1105 Fairfax Drive, spoke to the Committee on the subject of ISDN access on residential lines and expressed his appreciation to the Committee for working so successfully to have the EAS charges reduced. Mr. Smith expressed his wish that the Committee continue its efforts to have the business EAS charges reduced also. In closing Mr. Smith requested the Committee work towards having Southwestern Bell upgrade to allow for faster Internet connection. Question from the floor about the when the upgrade will be completed by TCI and when Allen can expect to be in line with surrounding communities on channel selection. Michael Stanger and Don Wing gave an update on the TCI franchise agreement. Carl Johnson took this opportunity to do an impromptu survey with the following results: 1) 11 out of 20 attendees have cable TV 2) 2 out of 20 attendees have a satellite dish. 3) 13 out of 20 attendees have Internet connection. 4) 12 out of 20 attendees have more than one phone line. 5) 10 out of 20 attendees have a cellular phone. Discussion took place about the possibility of doing a survey of the general population to find out the telecommunication and cable TV uses within Allen. There being no further questions or comments Don Wing, Chairman closed the public hearing. V. OTHER BUSINESS A. Discuss dates for Joint Workshop with Planning and Zoning Commission. Michael Stanger updated the Committee that a meeting took place between Don Wing and Jeff Kelley of the Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss the Model Telecommunications Zoning ordinance and it was decided that ajoint workshop to discuss a plan of action on towers would be helpful. After a brief discussion the Committee decided to hold the joint workshop on April 9`h, at 5:OOpm, then each committee would split off and have their regular scheduled meeting as planned. Don Wing requested all Committee members review their copy of the Model Telecommunications Zoning ordinance in preparation for the meeting. Page 4 CTTAC Minutes March 3, 1998 B. Items of Interest to the Committee. Legislative Committee on Municipal Franchise Agreements for Telecommunications Utilities. Michael Stanger advised the Committee he had attended the legislature's Interim Committee on Municipal Franchise Agreements on Wednesday, February 25, in Fort Worth. Mr. Stanger gave a brief outline of the meeting and shared the information he had received from Teligent. Telecom License Agreement Entered with CoServ. Michael Stanger advised the Committee that CoSery has signed a license agreement and will begin servicing the Allen community MCI is still in the talking phase, no signed agreement yet. Update: TCI's Compliance with Franchise Agreement. Michael Stanger gave an update on TCI and the collection of the liquidated damages in the amount of $85,000. TCI is disputing the start date of the damages, therefore, they are issuing a check for a reduced amount. After discussion the Committee decided the original date stands and the $85,000 is due in full. Change of Meeting Location. Due to the increased use of classroom space at the recreation center the Committee has been requested to change the meeting place. Places discussed were Library meeting room, Council Chambers if the day is changed, or the Municipal Annex conference room. After discussion the Committee decided to relocate the meeting to the Municipal Annex conference room beginning with the next meeting on March 12. C. Calendar Next meeting will be held on March 12, 1998 at 7:00pm in the Municipal Annex Conference Room located at One Butler Circle. (City Hall) VI. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Motion. 1 Page 5 CTTAC Minutes March 3, 1998 MOTION: Mr. Dreggors moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Kapka seconded. The Motion carried with five for and none against. This meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. These minutes read and approved this 12th day of March, 1998. C Don Wing, Chairman Jn Sherry e ling, Secretar