Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCable TV - 1999 - 02_11MINUTES CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 1999 — 7:00 P.M. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Wing Bill Kapka Eric Willard Remy Tholen BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Johnson Sherry Delling Doug Dreggors STAFF PRESENT: Michael Stanger, Assistant City Manager I 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 7:01p.m. on Thursday. February 11, 1999, at the Municipal Annex Conference Room, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. The following items were discussed: II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 14, 1999, REGULAR MEETING. MOTION: Eric Willard made a motion to approve the minutes as written for the January 14, 1999 meeting. Bill Kapka seconded. The Motion carried 4 for, and 0 against. Rev Dale Gregoriew, 907 Springbrook, spoke to the Committee about a request to have the Odyssey Network channel here in Allen. In the past, Reverend Gregoriew contacted TCI to request this channel be added, but TCI responded that they lacked the equipment needed to carry the extra channel. Now that the upgrade has taken place the Reverend advised he is looking for direction on how to have this channel added. Joe Lengfellner of TCI responded by giving an overview of the channel lineup and methods TCI used to select the channels, then advised he would go back and register the Reverend's request with TCI. Reverend Gregoriew said he would initiate a petition or start a calling campaign, if that would help. Mr Lengfellner advised it would help, as TCI does keep a register of the most requested channels. Mr. Lengfellner then gave an update on the recent rate settlement and advised the 10,600 refund would amount to a little over $6 to each customer with a converter box. Discussion then took place on the following items: The possibility of TCI doing a survey of customer base. A joint City and TCI citizen input survey How is TCI grading itself - Mr. Lengfellner will get the Committee information on standards and goals they use, based on the national benchmarks. Issue raised at recent TCCFUI conference attended by Michael Stanger about fiber to node upgrade creating excess bandwidth, and the possibility of using this for voice and data communications to the City. Mr. Lengfellner responded that corporate TCI is opposing "institutional networks" at this time. Michael Stanger advised he would contact Joe Lengfellner and Vince Thomae of TCI to set up a meeting for further discussion on these issues. There being no further discussion, Joe Lengfellner and Reverend Gregoriew left the meeting. IV. TABLED ITEM: ADOPT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING PROPOSED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS ORDINANCE. After discussion the Committee decided they needed further clarification on this item. Eric Willard advised he would get with Doug Dreggors before next month's meeting and have a response prepared on the following questions the Committee raised: I CTTAC Minutes February 11, 1999 Page 2 III. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Rev Dale Gregoriew, 907 Springbrook, spoke to the Committee about a request to have the Odyssey Network channel here in Allen. In the past, Reverend Gregoriew contacted TCI to request this channel be added, but TCI responded that they lacked the equipment needed to carry the extra channel. Now that the upgrade has taken place the Reverend advised he is looking for direction on how to have this channel added. Joe Lengfellner of TCI responded by giving an overview of the channel lineup and methods TCI used to select the channels, then advised he would go back and register the Reverend's request with TCI. Reverend Gregoriew said he would initiate a petition or start a calling campaign, if that would help. Mr Lengfellner advised it would help, as TCI does keep a register of the most requested channels. Mr. Lengfellner then gave an update on the recent rate settlement and advised the 10,600 refund would amount to a little over $6 to each customer with a converter box. Discussion then took place on the following items: The possibility of TCI doing a survey of customer base. A joint City and TCI citizen input survey How is TCI grading itself - Mr. Lengfellner will get the Committee information on standards and goals they use, based on the national benchmarks. Issue raised at recent TCCFUI conference attended by Michael Stanger about fiber to node upgrade creating excess bandwidth, and the possibility of using this for voice and data communications to the City. Mr. Lengfellner responded that corporate TCI is opposing "institutional networks" at this time. Michael Stanger advised he would contact Joe Lengfellner and Vince Thomae of TCI to set up a meeting for further discussion on these issues. There being no further discussion, Joe Lengfellner and Reverend Gregoriew left the meeting. IV. TABLED ITEM: ADOPT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING PROPOSED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS ORDINANCE. After discussion the Committee decided they needed further clarification on this item. Eric Willard advised he would get with Doug Dreggors before next month's meeting and have a response prepared on the following questions the Committee raised: I CTTAC Minutes February 11, 1999 Page 3 Section E Antenna Mounting Standards (2) Residential Zoning: Don Wing questioned how this could be enforced upon residents who already have visible dish antenna. Section D Tower Location Standards (2) Bill Kapka questioned how existing ham radio antenna and similar towers in backyards would be handled; would they be grandfathered in. Section E Antenna Mounting Standards 2 (e): Committee questioned whether this should read linear feet in lieu of square feet. V. DISCUSS TELECOMMUNICATION PLAN: Policy Options and Implications. Michael Stanger opened discussion by reviewing the listed comments on this topic from last month's minutes. Further discussion took place and the Committee decided they would continue on by formulating a report, which will be presented to Council. Towards this end Mr. Stanger gave an overview of a recent report he did on larger lots and advised he would send a copy of this to everyone for review prior to the next meeting. The following ideas or questions were raised during discussion: How do you measure this Committee's success? How can this Committee pass along knowledge to future members? What does Council want from this Committee? This Committee could help provide Council with information to enable them to write Ends policies where needed. Mr. Stanger advised the Council expects this Committee to come up with a plan and towards this end he suggested the Committee take a report to Council on things they might want to consider and what the benefits and cost would be to the citizens. After much discussion it was decided the Committee would continue this process by Bill Kapka writing something up based on the Ends policies discussed so far, and emailing it to everyone for review prior to next meeting. Michael Stanger and Eric Willard offered to help in this process and requested Mr. Kapka call them if needed. VI. OTHER BUSINESS A. TCI Compliance with Franchise Agreement. No further discussion at this time. L CTTAC Minutes February 11, 1999 Page 4 B. Items of Interest to the Committee. Metricom ROW Agreement. Michael Stanger advised the city is going to sign this agreement as an administrative measure, even though they are not required to have a franchise agreement, and the city will receive 4% of gross revenues. Don Wing raised a question about Section 1.9 on Page 2. Michael Stanger advised he would check into this. Media Relations Policy. Michael Stanger requested the Committee review the section of the policy relating to Boards. Don Wing advised he was invited to speak to the Leadership Allen class on February 19 Mr. Wing also received a request to speak to the Rotary Sunrise Club in March or April, and since he is unable to attend, Eric Willard volunteered. Report of Legislature's Interim Telecommunications Advisory Committee. Michael Stanger advised this will be an important issue this legislative session. No further discussion. Articles of Interest. None. Calendar Y Next regular meeting Thursday, March 11, 1999, in the Municipal Annex Conference Room at 7 00 p.m. VII. ADJOURN MOTION: Bill Kapka moved to adjourn the meeting. Eric Willard seconded. The motion carried with 4 for, and 0 against. This meeting was adjourned at 9.40 p.m. I I CTTAC Minutes February 11, 1999 Page 5 These minutes read and approved this 11" day of March, 1999 Don Wing, Chairmaft — , Eric//Nillard, Secretary L