HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 08/12/1997TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
August 12, 1997
7:00 PM
Council Liaison:
Chris Kneeland
Staff Liaison:
Liz Stroh, Michael Gitter
Chairperson:
Phil Wadas
Phone: (H) 221-0065
(W) 221-1764
Members Present:
Members Absent:
City Staff Present:
Guests:
Howard Lowell
Tim Tillson
Barbara Hain
Tom Maher
Phil Wadas
Ernie Powell
Greg Smith
Liz Stroh, Telecommunications Manager, ICS Department
Carson Hamlin, Cable Production Director, ICS Department
Kathy Stewart
Mike Agnew
Rich Bricht
Meeting was called to order by Chair Phil Wadas at 7:05 pm on August 12, 1997.
I. Minutes
Greg Smith moved to accept the previous meetings minutes as amended. Tom Maher
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
II. Election of Officers
Nominations were opened for the position of Chair. Tom Maher nominated Phil Wadas.
There were no other nominations. Phil Wadas was re-elected the Telecommunications Board
Chair.
Nominations were opened for the position of Vice -Chair. Greg Smith nominated Tom
Maher. Howard Lowell seconded the motion. No other nominations were made. Tom
Maher was elected unanimously.
III. TCI Update
Kathy Stewart announced that KDEN, a must -carry station out of Denver was put on
Channel 1, which will be either Channel 61 or 99 for all cable ready television sets.
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August 12, 1997
She announced that the Disney Channel will be moved to the basic package when the
digital compression system is in place. Only 970 homes subscribe to Disney now. There
will be no rate increase accompanying the move.
TCI will continue to offer HBO and Cinemax for $14.95 per month. Two pay per view
channels will be discontinued in order to do the digital compression system.
Ms. Stewart discussed programming and channel line up. With the digital compression
system, TCI will be able to add programming that includes Amercian Sports Classics,
International Film Classics (Foreign language films), a Game show channel, BBC World
Service (similar to CNN), a Home and Garden Channel, and electronic program guide and
several pay per view movie choices.
Howard Lowell asked about use of the cable system for data transmission. Ms. Stewart
indicated that bandwidth has been set aside for future uses in this area. She discussed At
Home cable modem tests. The Board members encouraged her to continue to explore
options for Internet Access via cable modem.
Tom Maher asked about programming selection related to diversity, specifically the
continued requests for Black Entertainment Television. Ms. Stewart indicated that the
programming line up would be made with ethnic diversity in mind.
Ms. Stewart then conducted a tour of the TCI facility (1201 University Avenue) and
conducted a demonstration of the digital compression system. Subscribers will be able to
choose to continue the analog system, or choose between two digital compression packages.
Installations will take about 1 '/z hours, and installers will get a three day training session.
The system requires cable, phone, and, potentially, stereo systems to be integrated into the
one converter. A universal remote will be available; parental control will be available for the
digital system. Greg Smith asked about multiple installs. Ms. Stewart explained that every
outlet needs to be wired at a cost of $14.95 per outlet for digital compression. Additional
outlets for analog system are free if ordered with initial install. Closed Captioning is
available by using a special converter.
Various Board members indicated willingness to participate in the test of the system. Ms.
Stewart will check with TCI and follow-up with Board members.
IV. Other Business
Ms. Stewart mentioned that TCI is still planning to produce a half-hour news program
weekly. Liz Stroh will be coordinating a meeting with other community agencies to
investigate how TCI might be able to use footage and video news releases provided by the
City, Poudre School District, Poudre Valley Hospital, and Colorado State University.
Liz Stroh responded to an inquiry from Howard Lowell regarding payment for Board
members to attend telecommunication seminars. The City will pay for members to attend,
based on available budget and applicability to the board's work plan.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made, and passed unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at
8:40 pm.
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August 12, 1997