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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/14/1996 Cable TV Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley March 14, 1996 6:30 P.M. Marcus Cable Building Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:35 by Chairperson Bible. Members Present: Dale Rodell, Victor Seavers, Rollin Bible, Scott Hugstad-Vaa, David Westbrook Members Absent: Others Present: Lisa Washa, Charles Grawe, Dennis LaComb 2. Approval of the Agenda. The agenda was approved 5-0 (Mr. Hugstad-Vaa motion, second by Mr. Rodell). 3. Minutes of December 4, 1995 The minutes of December 4, 1995 were approved 5-0 (Mr. Seavers motion, second by Mr. Rodell). 4. Minutes of February 5, 1996 The minutes of February 5, 1996 were approved 5-0 (Mr. Seavers motion, second by Mr. Westbrook). 5. December 14 Response to Marcus Cable’s Report The Committee received Mr. Randy Johnson’s December 14 response to a Marcus Cable Report. Ms. Washa was present to answer questions. She said that she understood the City’s unwillingness to share a government channel with Rosemount. She also said that she understood that the City had invested significant resources to creating viewer awareness of Channel 21 and that moving the City off Channel 21 is no longer an issue. Mr. Bible asked for more information concerning customer requests for channels. Ms. Washa explained that the 1995 Horowitz Survey was used to measure customer response to changes in cable management, but that the 1996 Survey could present an opportunity to measure customer demand for channels. Ms. Washa said she would make copies of the Survey summary available to the Committee. Mr. Bible asked why two additional premium channels (HBO2 and Showtime2) were added instead of other requested channels. Ms. Washa explained that originally, Marcus had assigned 4 channels for pay-per-view programming. However, only 3 channels were used for this purpose. In order to increase penetration of home terminals and use of pay- per-view services, Marcus used the fourth channel for HBO2. Ms. Washa explained that HBO2 is not a revenue generator, but gives the customer added value for using the home terminal. Ms. Washa further explained that ENCORE had low viewer ratings, prompting Marcus to replace it with Showtime2. Ms. Washa explained that Marcus had not added channels, but merely traded existing programming for new programming. Ms. Washa also said that the MoreMusic Channel may be eliminated on October 1. Marcus is currently using GeoCoding to determine a replacement. Universion, BET, and the History Channel are being considered. Ms. Washa explained that the scrambling date for HBO is set for March 27. Marcus plans to have a full compliment of staff available for customer service on that date. At this time, about 100 customers do not have home terminals necessary to descramble HBO. Marcus has already distributed about 2000 terminals to approximately 1400 homes. Ms. Washa said that customers have been confused by the change. Mr. Bible asked about the franchise renewal process. Ms. Washa indicated that future plans include a system rebuild for cable modems. Mr. Bible asked when the City would receive a proposal from Marcus. Ms. Washa said that a letter would be sent to the City by April 1, 1996. Ms. Washa said that the letter will include information on the system upgrade, but that it may be premature to discuss specific details. Ms. Washa said that Marcus has invested $300,000 into mapping the fiber optic rebuild. She said that Marcus would like to begin renewal so that plans for the upgrade can proceed. Ms. Washa stated that she will have full authority for Marcus in the renewal process, but that regional representative, Tim Vowel, may also be involved. Mr. Bible and Mr. Seavers expressed concern over that lack of communication between the City and Marcus Cable. Ms. Washa explained that a new voice mail system will allow her a better ability to respond to messages. Ms. Washa explained that the regular customer number is now answered by a live attendant and that the administrative line is channeled through voice mail. Ms. Washa said 1995 was an especially busy year which required considerable traveling and expects 1996 to be much better. Mr. Seavers asked about a constant listing of the pay-per-view showings. Ms. Washa said that a pay-per-view schedule was test mailed to customers this last month. The printed schedule was originally mailed to all premium customers. She said that Marcus may not be able to afford to mail the schedule to all customers. 5. Review First Quarter 1996 Complaint Log The Committee received the City’s complaint log for the first quarter of 1996 and the Marcus complaint log for 1995. Mr. Grawe explained that many customers called the City to complain about the necessity of the home terminal to continue to receive premium channels. Mr. Bible also expressed concern over problems experienced with picture-in- picture television sets using the home terminal. 6. Receive Excerpts from the Federal Telecommunications Act The Committee received a copy of Excerpts from the Federal Telecommunications Act. Ms. Washa also passed out a summary of the Act. 7. Receive MACTA Report on Franchise Renewal The Committee received a MACTA report on franchise renewal. Mr. Bible said that the Committee will need to meet with Tom Creighton soon. 8. Police Beat Cable Production Proposal by Dennis LaComb Mr. LaComb passed out the attached materials. He gave a brief presentation of his past work so the Committee could evaluate different qualities of production. The Aviation Weather tape was 15 minutes long and cost about $7,500 to produce. The Golf Memories tape was 1 hour long and cost about $8,000 to produce. The Creative Training tape was 30 minutes long and cost about $3,700-$4,200 to produce. Mr. LaComb proposed a “canned” opening and closing that could be reused for multiple tapes. He proposed using a magazine type format, relying on JoEllen Rutzen and Karen Spratler of the Apple Valley Police Department for information. Mr. Seavers requested that the programming integrate the police with the community. Mr. LaComb said he intends to show the human side of the department. Mr. Bible reminded the Committee that the programming would quickly match the amount budgeted for a part-time cable technician. Mr. Bible expressed his support for the proposal and said the cost was reasonable. Mr. Seavers expressed approval of the quality of production done by Mr. LaComb. Mr. LaComb asked if he should pursue other “free” programming for Channel 21. Ms. Washa expressed concern over duplicating current Marcus material. Mr. Bible asked that Mr. LaComb wait for Council direction. A motion to accept Mr. LaComb’s proposal to produce the first Police Beat program with an opening and closing that could be used for future tapes was approved 5-0 (Mr. Seavers motion, second by Mr. Westbrook). Mr. Bible requested a time table from Mr. LaComb. Mr. LaComb said the tape should be ready in April. Mr. Bible suggested that the tape be viewed at the April meeting with Tom Creighton. 9. Notification of Marcus Cable Rate Adjustments The Committee reviewed the notices from Marcus Cable concerning basic rate increases. Mr. Seavers asked if the service rates were the same as equipment rates. Ms. Washa said that separate calculations are used for equipment rates. She also said that the proposed increase includes a $1.60 tier increase and a $.70 basic service increase for a total increase of $2.30. Ms. Washa explained that the FCC will no longer handle customer complaints about rates. Local franchising authorities will handle the complaints. The rate increase proposed by Marcus is within the FCC guidelines and is below the maximum allowable increase. This was followed by a brief discussion about pay-per-view providers. 10. Timing of Wiring the Police Station The Committee reviewed the franchise agreement which states that the cable provider must provide cable to public buildings within one year of the City’s request. Mr. Bible noted that this had been requested several times in the past. Ms. Washa said that Marcus underestimated the growth on the east side of Galaxie Avenue, but will wire the Police Station this year. Ms. Washa said that she could not provide a specific date at this time, but would send a letter with a specific date for the April meeting. 11. 1995 Annual Cable Television Report The Committee reviewed the 1995 Annual Cable Television Report. The Marcus Cable section was distributed at the meeting. There was brief discussion over future cable service delivery and delivery of new services through cable. 12. Other Ms. Washa passed out copies of two letters to Apple Valley Mayor Will Branning. One letter explained that Marcus met the FCC standards for Signal Leakage and Distortions. The other letter was a cover letter accompanying the summary of the Federal Communications Act. 13. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m. 4-0 (Mr. Rodell motion, second by Mr. Hugstad- Vaa).