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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCable TV - 1999 - 04_08MINUTES CABLE TV AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING APRIL 8, 1999 - 7:00 P.M. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Wing Bill Kapka Eric Willard Remy Tholen (arrived late) Carl Johnson BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Sherry Delling Doug Dreggors STAFF PRESENT: Michael Stanger, Assistant City Manager 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 06p.m. on Thursday, April 8, 1999, at the Municipal Annex Conference Room, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. The following items were discussed: II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 11, 1999, REGULAR MEETING MOTION: Eric Willard made a motion to approve the minutes as written for the March 11, 1999 meeting. Carl Johnson seconded. The Motion carried 4 for, and 0 against. A Board member advised he lost cable modem service for four hours one day IV. CONSIDER FINAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL CONCERNING ENDS POLICIES RELATED TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Michael Stanger outlined the items discussed to date to preparation for the report to Council. After further discussion Mr. Stanger advised he would review the information which Bill Kapka emailed to him, and work on tying the information together for the Board to review at the next meeting. V. OTHER BUSINESS A. TCI Compliance with Franchise Agreement. 1. 1998 refunds. Michael Stanger reviewed correspondence received from Joe Lengfellner of TCI, which included printed verification that TCI had implemented the rate refund to customers. 2. Transfer to AT&T. Michael Stanger advised he had a meeting recently with TCI representatives to discuss the City's approval of transfer of the TCI franchise agreement to AT&T Mr Stanger advised this is under review and a decision will be forthcoming. B. Update: TCI Rate Filing. Michael Stanger routed a copy of correspondence from TCI to C2 Consulting, responding to a request for additional information on the rate filing. Mr. Stanger advised he should be receiving a report from C2 Consulting soon. Mr. Stanger reviewed a Cable TV rate comparison chart, which he is in the process of compiling with information derived from a survey faxed to other local TCI cities. Only one city out of three has responded at this point, therefore staff will follow-up with the other cities and the chart will be updated as responses are Creceived. CTTAC Minutes April 8, 1999 Page 2 III. CITIZENS' COMMENTS A Board member advised he lost cable modem service for four hours one day IV. CONSIDER FINAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL CONCERNING ENDS POLICIES RELATED TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Michael Stanger outlined the items discussed to date to preparation for the report to Council. After further discussion Mr. Stanger advised he would review the information which Bill Kapka emailed to him, and work on tying the information together for the Board to review at the next meeting. V. OTHER BUSINESS A. TCI Compliance with Franchise Agreement. 1. 1998 refunds. Michael Stanger reviewed correspondence received from Joe Lengfellner of TCI, which included printed verification that TCI had implemented the rate refund to customers. 2. Transfer to AT&T. Michael Stanger advised he had a meeting recently with TCI representatives to discuss the City's approval of transfer of the TCI franchise agreement to AT&T Mr Stanger advised this is under review and a decision will be forthcoming. B. Update: TCI Rate Filing. Michael Stanger routed a copy of correspondence from TCI to C2 Consulting, responding to a request for additional information on the rate filing. Mr. Stanger advised he should be receiving a report from C2 Consulting soon. Mr. Stanger reviewed a Cable TV rate comparison chart, which he is in the process of compiling with information derived from a survey faxed to other local TCI cities. Only one city out of three has responded at this point, therefore staff will follow-up with the other cities and the chart will be updated as responses are Creceived. CTTAC Minutes April 8, 1999 Page 3 There was discussion on the channel lineup: Mr. Lengfellner advised that Allen's channel lineup is not completely the same as surrounding cities, but we are now within 6 channels. He also advised we have 160 digital channels, some of which are pay per view and some are music channels. C. CoSery Cable TV Franchise. CoSery has requested an agreement to provide Cable TV service only in new areas Joe Lengfellner advised that TCI is opposed to this, as CoSery would have an unfair advantage over TCI by not meeting the same requirements as they do. After discussion on this topic the Board was of the consensus that they were not interested in bringing new cable service to town on a discriminating basis. CoSery must provide service on an equal basis. Michael Stanger advised CoSery presently provides electric, gas and phone services to the west side of town At this time CoSery only has an interim franchise agreement to provide phone service within the city, due to the fact that there is a bill (HB1614) pending in the state legislature, which may warrant changes to these agreements. Mr. Stanger advised that the City is opposed to this bill. Mr Lengfellner then discussed TCPs upcoming upgrades and gave an overview of TCI's local fiber optic system. Eric Willard requested TCI provide a map showing the fiber optic line system within the City of Allen. Joe Lengfellner will send Mr. Stanger a copy Mr. Lengfellner then left the meeting. D. Items of Interest to the Committee. 1. Calendar: r Next regular meeting Thursday, May 13, 1999, in the Municipal Annex Conference Room at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Stanger advised that TCI is having a CEO roundtable luncheon on April 15, and invited anyone interested to attend. Eric Willard advised he would like to attend. 2. Final Recommendation made to City Council on Wireless Communications Ordinance. Eric Willard advised there are a few typos and one small correction, which staff noted and will forward to the Planning Department. I CTTAC Minutes April 8, 1999 Page 4 VI. ADJOURN MOTION: Carl Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting. Remy Tholen seconded. The motion carried with 5 for, and 0 against. This meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. These minutes read and approved this 13" day of May, 1999 Don Wing, Chairman VL"4 Eric Willard, Secretary