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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCable 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 CTTAC Minutes 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 0 Z/t /IC Eric Willard, Secretary