HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 05/16/2005TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
May 16, 2005
6:00 PM
Council Liaison: David Roy
Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh, Communications and Technology Services; 221-6522
Board Chair: Curt Cramer
Vice Chair: Herb Saperstone,
Present: Curt Cramer, David Heiberg, Robert Reichenberger, Herb
Saperstone, Chip Cushman, Larry Bontempo
Absent: Tim Tillson
Staff: Gary Gordier, Eric Dahlgren, Liz Stroh
Guests: Stan Reifschneider, Comcast General Manager
Chair Curt Cramer called the meeting to order at 6: 05 PM.
Public Input: None
Minutes: —
Chip Cushman moved to approve minutes of the May Board meeting, seconded
by Robert Reischenberger. The motion passed unanimously.
Franchise Update:
Curt Cramer asked for an update on the status of the franchise renewal
negotiations with Comcast. Liz explained that staff had met with City Council in
May to get direction from the new Council on legal issues, and that a negotiating
meeting was scheduled for May 24. Curt emphasized that the Board would like
to review the completed contract as soon as possible, and that a special meeting
of the Board may be needed to discuss the document and provide City Council
with a recommendation.
Liz brought the Board up to date on discussions with the Fort Collins Public
Access Network (FC-PAN). Assistant City Manager Tom Vosburg met with
representatives of FC-PAN and the manager of Channel 5 in Cheyenne to
brainstorm possibilities for collaboration between the two. The Board expressed
concern about lack of information about FC-PAN's activities regarding non-profit
status and plans. Liz will provide the Board with a list of requests discussed at
the recent meeting between FC-PAN and Channel 5. Herb Saperstone made a
motion to invite FC-PAN representatives to an upcoming meeting. The motion
was seconded by Chip and passed unanimously. Liz will make arrangements
and notify the Board.
Liz also informed the Board that David Roy was the new Council Liaison for the
Board. Curt suggested that he be invited to visit with the Board at an upcoming
meeting.
Laramie Telecommunication Conference:
Curt recently was involved in coordinating a conference in Laramie, Wyoming to
inform Wyoming legislators of approaches that different states are taking in the
telecommunications area. The keynote speaker was an associate professor at
CU in Boulder who recently authored a book about the "digital divide". Details of
the conference presentations and discussions can be found at:
www.psc.state.wv.us/htdocs/telco.htmI
Comcast Update:
Stan Reifschneider reported that cable modem speeds for Comcast's internet
access were upgraded in March for no additional cost. The foundation for future
digital services was also put in place.
A new golf channel and an outdoor life channel have been added to the analog
line up. Herb Saperstone asked if the History channel could be moved from the
digital package to the basic analog package. Stan explained there were several
considerations in determining channel alignment and suggested that Poudre
School District write a letter requesting the change.
Other Business
None
Larry Bontempo moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Chip Cushman.
The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 PM
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