HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 09/08/1998•
TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
September 8, 1998
7:00 PM
II Council Liaison: Chris Kneeland I Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh, Gary Gordier
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Chairperson: Greg Smith Phone: (W) (H)
Presiding Chair: Greg Smith Phone: (W) (H)
Members Present: Larry Bontempo, Howard Lowell, Tim Tillson, Tom Maher, Ernie Powell,
Greg Smith
Members Absent: Dave Augustine
City Staff: Liz Stroh, John Duval
TCI Staff: Kathy Stewart
Election of Officers:
Vice Chair Tom Maher opened the nominations for Chair. Ernie Powell nominated Greg Smith,
seconded by Howard Lowell. Tim Tillson nominated Tom Maher, seconded by Ernie Powell.
Nominationsjwere closed.
Greg Smith and Tom Maher each accepted the nominations and professed willing to serve as
chair. Ballots were distributed and counted. The vote was 4 for Greg Smith and 2 for Tom
Maher. I --_
Howard Lowell moved that the runner up be elected vice chair. The motion was made and
seconded with unanimous approval.
Approval of inutes:
Tim Tillson made a motion to approve the minutes of the July meeting as submitted. The motion
was seconded by Greg Smith; approval was unanimous.
TCI Update:
Kathy Stewart reported that the City and TCI had resolved the disagreement regarding the
franchise requirement for a system upgrade. She explained that TCI and PRPA (Platte River
Power Authority) had met to discuss the possibility of TCI leasing fiber from them rather than
digging in rights of way to install TCI fiber. If an agreement could be reached, the project
timeline could possibly be reduced. Construction will begin within the next 30 days. The
northeast section of town will be the first area targeted for the upgrade. As the upgrade is
completed, additional channels will be activated. Kathy will report back on what the basic tier
line up will be.
Kathy reported that TCI was replacing the analog SciFi channel with Comedy Central. TCI has
continued to receive many calls requesting that programming. Because they have used up all the
analog channel capacity, TCI will make the SciFi channel available on their digital system. She
reminded the Board that TCI had recently added WGN and the Disney Channel and 2 "must -
carry" home shopping channels.
Tom Maher asked about the possibility of using the Preview channel to expand capacity. Kathy
responded that the feedback they get is that viewers rely on that channel for programming
information. Ernie Powell asked about length of lease. The response was that they were looking
at a 20 year lease. Tim Tillson wondered why TCI would lease for longer than the franchise.
Kathy would like to have indication about whether this will work or not before September 15
when City Council is scheduled for first reading of the ordinance modifying the franchise
agreement.
There will be a conversion of TCI's billing system on October 2 and 3. A new phone system, a
Wiltel Norstar, will be implemented October 18. The phone vendor subleases with US West to
do traffic studies, which will be conducted to determine numbers of busy signals received by
customers, etc.
Thursday, September 10 will see the launch of a 6minute daily news program scheduled for 6
minutes before each hour on Headline News.
Tom Maher asked Kathy for specifications related to the compression ratio. Kathy will continue
to try to get that information.
EchoStar will be offering local broadcast channels in 5 metro areas. The requirements to
subscribe to this service are that the customer has not had cable previously, and that they cannot
currently receive broadcast stations without a satellite dish or antenna.
Feedback from Tim Tillson indicated the choice of Comedy Central over the SciFi channel was
the right one, based on customer demand. He felt that selection would most likely appeal to a
larger audience.
The adult pay per view channel has been disabled for a time, and was just recently made
available. There had been a problem with the parental blocking feature.
Franchise Modification:
Tom asked about a clarification relating to free drops for schools. He was concerned that it
wasn't clearly stated that Front Range Community College and CSU currently had a free drop,
and that should continue. After review of the original franchise document, it was determined that
the definition of "school" was sufficiently clear to eliminate the concern..
Greg had a question about maintenance for receivers. Since TCI owns them, the City can simply
call to report any needed repairs or problems. Greg asked about the use of the additional
bandwidth allocated to the City. His question related to whether or not the City would have to
forfeit the bandwidth if the stated use did not continue. John Duval clarified that if the City
doesn't give a plan for the use, it will revert back to TCI. However, if the City submits a plan,
even if it is not put in place immediately the bandwidth is still reserved for the City. The City
could loan it to TCI for use if desired, however. Tom suggested that the City make every effort
to involve all public entities as future franchises and modifications are negotiated.
Ernie Powell asked about how the boundaries are dealt with regarding the leverage the City has
over TCI because of the need to get a franchise. John Duval explained that there is always the
need to weigh costs, risks and benefits when trying to settle a dispute. Kathy mentioned that TCI
is looking closely at giving away bandwidth as an element of franchises currently being
negotiated with other government entities. Ernie was concerned that the City's desire for more
bandwidth may cripple TCI's ability to provide services. Liz mentioned that the City is currently
developing a citizen survey to determine the communities reaction to the uses made of Channel
27, as well as asking for programming suggestions (within the scope of a governmental access
channel). Kathy mentioned that FCC was looking at must carry requirements. The potential is
that requirements to carry local channels, particularly channels that duplicate programming may
beloosened.
Ernie asked about the provision for 500 MHz spaced to 750 mhz. Tom Maher and Tim Tillson
explained the technical details of providing 750, some of which is unusable, so the end result is
500 MHz available to the customer.
Tom moved that the board recommend approval of the franchise amendments. Larry Bontempo
seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. Tom complimented City
staff on their efforts to resolve the issues.
Web Page
The board members brainstormed a list of information that could be posted to the City's web site.
The information could include Telecommunication Board agenda and minutes for 6-12 months,
the cable franchise and any modifications, the Board by-laws, the work plan for 1998, the
Council's telecommunications policy. Tom Maher will send the URL for Benton Foundation
from U of Chicago, a public telecommunication forum so a link might be established. Also
recommended links to FCC web page and other state or local web sites that have
telecommunication regulatory oversight. Ernie suggested that technology information be
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included in the future as time permits. The Board also suggested a list of board members and
their e-mail addresses be made available.
Other business:
Public Radio for the Front Range (PRFR) — Tim reported on a group that is trying to start a
community radio station in Fort Collins. These types of stations typically operate on educational
or non-profit bandwidth (KGNU in Greeley is an example). PRFR filed application for some
open frequencies in Fort Collins. Three groups have applied for the same bandwidth, primarily
networks of Christian radio stations. FCC will not resolve disputes, so if parties cannot work out
agreement, there is a deadlock. Right now, that is the case, and PRFR is looking at alternatives,
including using the Internet or working with TCI for use of some of the FM spectrum. Tim asked
if the Board was interested in passing a motion in support of this effort, and if members would be
interested in a presentation.
The discussion focused on whether this would be within the mission of the board. A motion was
made by Tim to include this item on the next agenda. The motion was seconded by Howard
Lowell. Vote was 2 to 4 against with Howard and Tim in favor and Ernie, Greg, Tom and Larry
against.
Howard brought up E911, and some discussion about a joint dispatch center for Northern
Colorado Law Enforcement entities. Ernie asked how that would benefit the communities and
Howard explained about sharing infrastructure, faster response time, and other factors. The
board agreed to put this topic on the agenda for next meeting.
Tom moved to adjourn. Seconded by Larry, and passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM