HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/1996
Telecommunications Advisory Committee
City of Apple Valley
November 12, 1996
7:00 P.M. City Hall
Minutes
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 by Chairperson Bible.
Members Present: Dale Rodell, Rollin Bible, David Westbrook, Scott Hugstad-Vaa,
John Magnusson, Jerry Brown
Members Absent:
Others Present: Gary Humphrey, Charles Grawe, Richard Kelley, Denis LaComb,
Gary Shade, Nancy Ludwig, Cheryl Bittner, Mike Meier, Karen Martinez Paz, Carmelo
Martinez, Laura Rosario, Danielle Rosario, Ruben Rosario
2. Introduction
Mr. Bible explained that the purpose of the meeting is to assess the communities
telecommunications needs. The meeting was prompted by the renewal of the current
franchise agreement. Committee members introduced themselves.
3. Public Discussion
Mr. Bible said that the Committee received a letter requesting that Marcus add the
Univision Channel. Mr. Bible asked a series of questions to help prompt discussion.
Mr. Bible explained that the City had received several phone calls from business interests
requesting improved telecommunications services. Representatives from these businesses
said they were unable to attend the public meeting, but would send their requests in
writing.
Ms. Ludwig volunteered to distribute a survey to businesses through the Chamber
newsletter. There was brief discussion about businesses that have either not located in or
have left their locations in Apple Valley due to inadequate telecommunications services.
Ms. Laura Rosario asked if the Committee only represents businesses. Mr. Bible
responded that the Committee represents all citizens of Apple Valley. Ms. Rosario said
that she had tried other avenues to get Marcus to provide Univision but was unsuccessful.
She wanted to know how the Committee could help get the channel. Mr. Meier responded
for Marcus and said that existing channel capacity is full. He explained that the fiber optic
upgrade scheduled to begin in 1997 would allow for more channels. Ms. Rosario said that
there is much interest in Univision now and wanted to know why another channel could not
be replaced with Univision. Mr. Meier responded that it is difficult to remove existing
programming. Ms. Rosario wanted to know how channel popularity is determined. Mr.
Meier explained that Marcus sends out random surveys to households to determine what
channels are desired. Mr. Carmelo Martinez said that his area was missed by the survey.
Mr. Martinez expressed that the school district may also find a value in Univision for
teaching. Mr. Meier responded by listing services which Marcus currently provides to the
School District.
Ms. Laura Rosario asked how the City knows what the community needs for
programming. Mr. Bible explained the Committee is holding the meeting for that same
purpose. He said that he would make the Univision channel part of the agenda for
franchise renewal. He further explained that the City can not force a cable company to
carry a particular channel, but the City can try to persuade them to carry it.
Mr. Gary Shade asked the Committee to try to get Frontier to provide ISDN lines to
residential customers.
4. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 P.M..
In addition to the input received at the Public Meeting on November 12, 1996, the Apple
Valley Telecommunications Advisory Committee also received written correspondence
and telephone input from the following:
November 12, 1996, 2:15 p.m.
Mr. Stan Merrill of 14060 Essex Court, telephone number 322-1990, requested
that Marcus provide the Home and Garden Channel.
November 12, 1996, 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Robert W. Skelly of 15829 Harwell Avenue wrote a letter expressing that the
$5 late fee is excessive. Mr. Skelly also said that cable reception on channels 2, 4,
5, 9, 11, and Disney is always poor.
Ruben, Laura, and Danielle Rosario of 3956 133rd Court West, Rosemount,
wrote expressing their desire for the Univision channel.