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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/01/2014 Telecommunications Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley December 1, 2014 7:00 P.M. Municipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order Chair Westbrook called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Rollin Bible, Jerry Brown, Scott Hugstad-Vaa, John Magnusson, Dale Rodell, David Westbrook Members Absent: Others Present: Charles Grawe, Mark Moore 2. Approval of Agenda Mr. Grawe requested the addition of a brief demonstration of the new cablecast equipment in the council chambers and control room following the franchise items. MOTION: Mr. Rodell moved, second by Mr. Brown,to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 6—0. 3. Audience Items There were no audience items. 4. Approval of Minutes of September 8, 2014 Regular Meeting MOTION: Mr. Hugstad-Vaa moved, second by Mr. Brown,to approve the minutes of September 8, 2014 as presented. Motion passed 5 —0 (Mr. Magnusson abstained). 5A. 4th Quarter Complaints Mr. Grawe reported that the City received a number of complaints from residents upset that they are now required to have (and to pay for extra) digital decoding boxes for each television when Charter made its transition from analog to digital signals. Mr. Brown noted that some of the smaller decoder boxes offered very limited feature options. 5B. 4th Quarter Activities Report Mr. Grawe reported that most of the quarter was dedicated to updating the control room and council chambers equipment in Apple Valley. 5C. Franchise Renewal Update Mr. Grawe reported no significant progress on the renewal of the franchise. However, he noted that Charter's focus had been on the transfer of ownership which should be largely complete in December and that Charter's attorney indicated that the company is now in a position to focus on the renewal negotiations. 5D. Franchise Transfer of Ownership Mr. Grawe reported that the City's cable attorney reviewed the documents relating to the corporate restructuring that essentially constitutes a transfer of ownership. The attorney's opinion is that the he did not find evidence that would support the City's denial of the transfer of ownership. The attorney recommends the City approve the transfer with conditions set forth in the draft resolution submitted to the Committee. The Committee briefly discussed the recommendation. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, second by Mr. Bible,to recommend the City Council adopt a substantially similar resolution approving the transfer of ownership with conditions as recommended by the city's cable attorney. Motion passed 6-0. 5E. Extension of Franchise Agreement Mr. Grawe reported that there has been little progress on the franchise renewal negotiations as Charter has been focusing on the transfer of ownership. Charter's franchise attorney indicates that Charter is now positioned to focus on franchise renewals and requested a one-year extension. Charter's franchise attorney also indicated that she is working off the draft renewal created by the City's cable attorney, so the negotiations are in some ways already underway. The City's attorney recommends the requested extension. The Committee briefly discussed the recommendation. MOTION: Mr. Bible moved, second by Mr. Brown,to recommend the City Council adopt a resolution extending the franchise term for an additional year as recommended by the city's cable attorney. Motion passed 6-0. 5F. View Council Chambers and Control Room Equipment Upgrades The Committee briefly viewed the new equipment and a demonstration of its functionality. 5G. Annual IT Update Mr. Grawe briefly reported on ongoing IT initiatives that have organizational wide impacts, including implementation of an agenda management system, centralized video surveillance recording, and IP telephone system replacement. 5H. 2015 Meeting Schedule MOTION: Mr. Bible moved, second by Mr. Magnusson,to approve the 2015 meeting schedule of March 2nd, June 1St, September 14th, and December 7th. Motion passed 6-0. 6A. FCC Rulemaking and Other Franchise Issues Mr. Grawe reported there is renewed pressure for Congress to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act,which would allow for the collection of sales taxes from remote retailers with no physical presence in the state and even the playing field for local brick and mortar retailers. 6B. E-Commerce and Business Development Issues Mr. Grawe noted that the cities and Dakota County are nearing completion of their study on improving access to fiber throughout the County. 6C. Other Staff and Committee Updates There were no other items. 7. Adjourn MOTION: Mr. Hugstad-Vaa moved, second by Mr. Brown,to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 6 - 0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.