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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/02/2000 � � Telecommunications Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley May 2, 2000 7:00 P.M. City Hall Minutes l. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Bible. Members Present: Rollin Bible, Jerry Brown, Dale Rodell, David Westbrook Members Absent: John Magnusson, Scott Hugstad-Vaa Others Present: Chaxles Grawe, Mark Moore, Denis LaCoinb, Ellen Martin 2. Approval of Agenda Mr. Bible asked for changes to the agenda. No changes were requested. The agenda was approved as presented. 3. Hold Public Hearing on Cable Basic Tier Rate Increase Mr. Grawe provided a brief introduction to the necessity of the public hearing as part of the City's procedures for rate regulation. Mr. Grawe also distributed a copy of the forms filed by Charter Communications. Mr. Bible opened the public hearing and asked for any public comments. No one presented any comments. Mr. Bible asked a second time for public comments. Mr. Bible closed the public hearing. The Committee noted a survey of Metropolitan cities and their cable rates. 4. Review Competitive Franchising Procedures and Notice Mr. Moore explained that the City's legal counsel prepared a competitive franchising process, including a notice and ordinance. He said the City's cable attorney recommended approval of the documents that would update the City's process, create a level playing field for future franchisees, and address the definition of a cable company. Mr. Moore briefly described the documents. . � Mr. Westbrook asked if the joint powers commission has jurisdiction over the ordinance. Mr. Moore responded that the franchising authority remains with each individual city. Mr. Westbrook moved, second by Mr. Brown, to recommend the City Council consider the process, notice, and ordinance. Motion passed unanimous. 5. Discuss Potential Overbuild Mr. Grawe briefly described the proposal by Wide Open West (WOW). He noted the proposal is to overbuild with a high-speed, open access network, targeted primarily at residential users. He noted the proposed system would be 860 MHz with 150 homes per node. He also noted that WOW proposed to match all existing franchise requirements. Mr. Grawe said Mr. Moore is investigating issues other cities have experienced with overbuilds. Mr. Moore briefly explained the issues he is investigating with the Cities of St. Cloud, Lakeville, and Columbia Heights. Mr. Rodell noted the rates for the proposed service are comparable, but the service is enhanced. Mr. Bible said he was initially surprised at the prospect of an overbuild. He noted that the franchise is non exclusive and noted that an overbuild will likely cause significant disruption to the right-of-way. Mr. Bible asked if WOW has the necessary capital to overbuild. Mr. Moore said the assessment of the financial feasibility will be part of the process. 6. Cable Coordinator Report Mr. Moore briefly went over the issues outlined in the report distributed at the meeting. 7. Other a. Mr. Grawe noted Frontier Communications has been adding new technologies. He said he would distribute more information to the Committee members. 8. Adjourn Mr. Rodell moved, second by Mr. Westbrook, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.