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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Cable Communications Commission - 01/15/2007 P t MINUTES UN 2007 t CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION !:7 January 15,2007 Ci?Y Uc{ , :;;;`'; c (.1-) tiE 9 E+;rte; `7 PRESENT Chairperson Robert"Bob"White,Vice Chairperson Dr. Bruce Stratton, Fred Greenberg,,Connie_, Gutierrez, Steve West City Staff Susan Cable, Director of E-Government Services, Lisa Aguilar, Assistant City Attorney and Holly Houghton,E-Government Services Cable Operators Susan Ivans,Time Warner Cable,Vicki Triplett,Time Warner Cable Dottie Lane, Grande Communications Vice Chairman Bob White called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. and verified the necessary quorum. The minutes from December 18, 2006 meeting were reviewed. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to approve the minutes and Steve West seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING VIOLATION APPEALS — Jack Gordy stated that Mr. DiCarlo identified himself as an attorney throughout the program, listed his office number and email address, which he thinks is for soliciting business. Mr. DiCarlo discussed that the program was an interview with Rex Kinnison and the discussion topics related to City issues. Bob White explained that the intent of the program was not to sell a product or service. Dr.. Bruce Stratton motioned to grant the appeal. Fred Greenberg seconded. All Commissioners approved. 2. REVIEW AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPOSED RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC ACCESS CABLECASTING — Susan discussed minor changes and asked the commission to decide on an effective date for the rules and procedures. Fred Greenberg motioned to amend the Rules and Procedures for Public Access Cablecasting with the effective date of June 1, 2007. Connie Gutierrez seconded. All Commissioners approved. 3. REVIEW AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROCESS FOR CABLE OPERATORS PASS THROUGH GRANTS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS EQUIPMENT—Susan Cable discussed that at the present time the cable operators are paying the City $3,500 for public access equipment and facilities per the franchise agreement. She explained that at this time $7,000 is pending appropriation since a studio contract is not in place and there is not an established method of accountability. Bob White explained that the Commission has been presented with funding requests from both the Channel 10 and Channel 18 PAUGs and wanted to ensure that if the Commission approved the requests, the cable operators would not have any problems with how the money is to be spent. Susan Ivans, Time Warner Cable and Dottie Lane, Grande Communications, indicated that a letter could be sent to them asking them to review the requests submitted from the PAUGs and they would send the City their approval or disapproval. After a discussion about future funding since there no longer is a studio, Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned for the City to draft an amendment to the franchise agreement to terminate the need for monetary contributions for public access equipment and facilities. Fred Greenberg seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved. Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned directing City staff to send Channel 10 and 18 funding requests to the cable operators for their approval and appropriate the SCANNED current cable operator pass through grant funds. Steve West seconded. All Commissioners approved. Staff also was directed to provide the Commission with a draft update to the franchise agreement regarding future equipment and facility funding 4. TIME WARNER COMPLAINTS — Bob White discussed that he received complaints that no one was able to get through to Time Warner over the holidays. Susan Ivans explained that they were in the process of upgrading their phone system and encountered some issues during that time, but everything has been resolved. 5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC ACCES CABLECASTING — Susan Cable suggested to the Commission that producers have a thorough review of the Rules and Procedures since the Commission has already approved some changes and several additional changes have been proposed. Bob White asked the City to schedule a meeting with Channel 10 PAUG, Channel 18 PAUG, the City, Mr. Fred Greenberg, and Ms. Connie Gutierrez to review the Rules and Procedures once they have been approved by City Council. 6. CABLE OPERATOR REPORTS — Vicki Triplett, Time Warner Cable, and Dottie Lane, Grande Communications discussed their community projects. 7. STAFF UPDATE—Susan Cable stated the Commission was provided with a copy of the annual report that was submitted to the City Manager. 8. PAUG UPDATES — Jack Gordy stated that he talked with Grande and Time Warner and they agreed with the approval of the purchase of the requested equipment for public access facilities. Jesse Nesmith explained that his sole purpose of obtaining the equipment is to train and transition all the Channel 18 producers from VHS to DVDs. 9. PUBLIC COMMENT—none 10. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS—none 11. ADJOURNMENT — Dr. Bruce Stratton motioned to adjourn. Steve West seconded the motion. All Commissioners approved.The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.