HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/25/1996
Cable TV Advisory Committee
City of Apple Valley
July 25, 1996
6:00 P.M. City Hall
Minutes
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:22 by Chairperson Bible.
Members Present: Dale Rodell, Victor Seavers, Rollin Bible
Members Absent: Scott Hugstad-Vaa, David Westbrook
Others Present: Lisa Washa, Gary Humphrey, Charles Grawe, Richard Kelley,
Denis LaComb
2. Feedback on Police Beat for Denis LaComb
The Committee gave Mr. LaComb feedback on the Police Beat video tapes has produced
for the City. Feedback was largely positive and Committee members encouraged Mr.
LaComb to continue with programming. Charles Grawe and Mr. LaComb updated the
Committee on a possible “City Magazine” type program and a tax-budget explanation
program. The Committee gave a positive response to both programs and added that
additional capital such as microphones should be purchased to ensure quality production.
3. Minutes of May 1, 1996
The minutes of May 1, 1996 were approved 3-0 (Mr. Seavers motion, second by Mr.
Rodell).
4. Appoint Franchise Renewal Negotiating Team
Mr. Bible explained that due to the nature of the franchise negotiation, it may be useful
and necessary for the City to meet to negotiate with Marcus on short notice and sometimes
during the day. Since the Committee members have regular jobs which may not allow
them to meet on short notice, it may be advantageous for a few members with more
flexibility to meet and negotiate on behalf of the Committee.
Mr. Seavers moved and Mr. Rodell seconded that Mr. Bible, Mr. Westbrook,
Councilmember Gary Humphrey, Cable Attorney Thomas Creighton, and Assistant to the
City Administrator Charles Grawe be appointed as members of the negotiating team. The
motion passed 3-0.
5. Review Second Quarter Complaint Log
Mr. Grawe distributed the complaints received by the City for the second quarter of 1996.
Ms. Washa distributed the complaints received by Marcus for that same quarter.
6. Other
a) Mr. Bible requested that the negotiating team prepare for a meeting in the near
future. He also directed City staff to schedule a meeting with Marcus to begin franchise
renewal as soon as possible. Mr. Bible then explained that he hoped the franchise would
be more of a communications franchise than simply a cable television franchise. Ms.
Washa expressed her reservations about expanding the franchise with the limitations set by
federal law. Mr. Bible assured her that the attorneys for Marcus and the City would likely
prevent the franchise from violating federal laws.
b) Ms. Washa passed out a flyer advertising Customer Appreciation Day on August
8. She also reminded Committee members that they were invited to VIP night on August
7. She said VIP night will feature new products and services. She also said it will be a
good opportunity to learn more about programming and content on Marcus Cable.
c) Ms. Washa thanked City staff for their efforts to help Marcus locate a signal
interfering with the Channel 24 broadcast in the Palomino Hills area. After considerable
research, Marcus identified the signal as a HAM radio signal. City staff assisted Marcus
in locating the HAM signal at the Palomino Reservoir site. The HAM repeater had been
authorized by the City in 1980 for emergencies, but the frequency allowed at that time was
different than the frequency being used in 1996. City staff helped Marcus contact the
HAM radio operator. Marcus believes that the HAM operator will remove all equipment
from the site in the near future, effectively eliminating the problem.
d) Victor Seavers announced that he is moving to Eagan and will no longer be able to
serve on the Committee. Committee members expressed their thanks to Mr. Seavers for
his work and dedication to Apple Valley.
7. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. 3-0 (Mr. Rodell motion, second by Mr. Seavers).