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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Cable Communications Commission - 05/22/2000 MINUTES Corpus Christi Cable Communication Commission Corpus Christi City Hall-Council Chamber,1201 Leopard Street May 22,2000 Committee Members Present: Chairperson Mary Beth Nelson,Norma Torres,and Charles Spencer, and Cefe Valenzuela AT&T Staff Present: Denise Starr,and Arnie Cisneros Clearsource,Inc. Staff Present: Becky Weaver,Ray Perez,Cassie Robertson City Staff Present: Lisa Aguilar,P. C.Gracia The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mary Beth at 7:13 p.m. The minutes of the Cable Communications Commission meeting for April 10, 2000 were approved as submitted,with two corrections. Lisa Aguilar stated that AT&T had submitted Federal Communications Commission(FCC)Form 1240 and Form 1205 as part of a proposed rate increase to be effective on or after June 1, 2000. The Bailer Herbst Law group reviewed the forms and recommended that the increase(s) were within the FCC rules and regulations. Lisa added that the City required no other action. Charles Spencer asked about the four-cent FCC fee and the moving of pay-per-view to digital. P. C. Gracia informed the Commission that the FCC mandated fee was simply an administrative charge to all cable companies to defray handling of cable matters. The FCC also authorized cable companies a pass-through fee to its customer base. In addition, Gracia stated that the city has no authority to regulate expanded basic services and digital programming. Mary Beth Nelson asked Aguilar about the commission request to perform a financial audit on AT&T. Aguilar informed Nelson that the request had been forwarded for council consideration but not as an agenda item. Nelson asked Lisa if she could obtain a copy of the Council request. Cefe Valenzuela stated that there was no action the Commission could take if the consultants recommend that rates were within FCC guidelines. The Commission took no action on the proposed rate increases. Denise Starr, AT&T Business Operations Manager, informed the Commission about several changes in their operations. Starr stated that the monthly rate for remote controls would increase from .35 to .40, which was'in error on her handout material. Secondly she said that there were changes to the channel lineup whereby the Playboy Channel (50)will be replaced by Court TV(24). Channel 28 (pay-per-view) and the Playboy Channel will be moved to and available on the digital lineup. Finally, she stated that beginning July 1,2000, FCC rules would require cable operators to provide Point,of Deployment modules (security modules)to those digital set top-boxes that customers will be allowed to purchase at retain shops. This will enable cable companies to maintain control of programming distribution. Mr. Ray Perez, Director of Public Affairs, for Clearsource, Inc., introduced himself, Becky Weaver, General Manager in Corpus Christi and Cassie Robertson, public relations manager, to the Commission. He informed the Commission that the physical plant was near completion and that the headend/switchroom was finished at the main office at the Saratoga location. Weaver stated that service would be available to connect between 30-35 customers in Brighton Village and that Beta testing would begin within two weeks. Nelson inquired about the price structure for Clearsource services. Weaver stated that individual prices, as well as, discounts for more than 2 services are available. The channel line-up is set and she could provide that information if requested. Nelson asked about notification of residents in the area. Weaver stated that door hangers are left on residential doors containing Clearsource phone numbers within one week of scheduled work in the area. Weaver added that a second hanger is left stating that construction SCANNED will begin within 2-3 days. Weaver also added that they have received calls regarding their presence in the area from residents. Spencer asked about the plan for the island and Weaver replied that the design and plans needed to be completed,but that hard wire would be utilized. There were no public comments. Commission set the next meeting for November 13,2000. Meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. Submitted by P. C. Gracia _'