HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/05/2012 � �
Telecommunications Advisory Committee
City of Apple Valley
March 5, 2012
7:00 P.M. Municipal Center
Minutes
L 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
� 2. Approval of A�da
MOTION: Mr. Rodell moved, second by Mr. Brown, to approve the agenda as
presented. Motion passed 6— 0.
3. Approval Minutes of December 5, 20ll
MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, second by Mr. Hugstad-Vaa, to approve the minutes of
December 5, 2011. Motion passed 6— 0.
4. l Quarter Complaint Logs
Mr. Grawe reviewed the single complaint for the quarter.
5. 1 Coordinator's Report
Mr. Grawe briefly reviewed the staff activity.
6. Approve 2011 Annual Report
The Committee briefly reviewed the information in the annual report. Several minor
technical corrections were noted.
MOTION: Mr. Bible moved, second by Mr. Westbrook, to approve the 2011 Annual
Report as corrected. Motion passed 6-0.
7. Franchise Renewal Timeline and Processes
Mr. Grawe noted that the Cities of Apple Valley, Farmington, and Rosemount all
selected Kennedy and Graven to represent them and agreed to work j ointly on the
renewal. The group met with the attomey earlier in the year and developed a timeline far
� �
various elements within the renewal process. One option is to conduct a financial audit,
similar to what the City conducted in the early 2000's. Mr. Grawe noted that with the
introduction of service bundling and with the financial reorganization that occurred
during the change of ownership, the opportunities for misaed or misapplied franchise
fees are greater. The Committee's consensus was that a financial audit would be
appropriate at this time. The second option is to conduct a technical audit of the system.
The Committee discussed the advances in technology since the last franchise was
approved in 1999. The Committee's consensus was that market forces and service
offerings have most likely caused the cable company to build a system that exceeds the
minimum system specifications set in 1999 and such an audit would not be cost
effective. The third option is to conduct a needs assessment. Mr. Grawe explained that
such an assessment is the legal foundation for everything that the City may request of the
cable company in the renewal process. The Committee's consensus was that a needs
assessment would be appropriate.
Mr. Grawe said the cable staff would prepare requests for proposals for the financial
audit and needs assessment. He estimated that the requests would go out to vendors
around June and July and responses would be considered around September.
8. FCC Rulemaking and Other Franchise Issues
Mr. Grawe reported no new issues.
9. E-Commerce and Business Development Issues
Mr. Grawe nated there are a number of property development projects under discussion
and if implemented, could open the opportunity to extending the City's fiber network
along new roadways.
10. Other Issues
There were no other issues.
11. Adjourn
MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, second by Mr. Magnusson, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion passed 6- 0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.