HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 07/11/2000TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
**** July 11, 2000 ****
*** 6:00 PM ***
Council Liaison: Kurt Kastein Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh
Members Present: Braun Mincher, Larry Bontempo, Greg Smith, Bill Murray, Howard
Lowell
Members Absent: Tim Tillson, Tom Maher
City Staff Present: Eric Dahlgren, Liz Stroh
Guests: Kathy Stewart, AT&T Broadband Services
Call to Order
Acting Chair Larry Bontempo called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM
Approval of Minutes ...Larry Bontempo made a motion to approve the minutes as
submitted; Braun Mincher seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
AT&T: Kathy Stewart reported AT&T was busy with the installs and disconnects that
take place during the summer months. She mentioned that there are about 400
@Home install requests pending, and that crews have been working to complete node
certification. AT&T plans to extend their @Home promotional offer of free installation
and free month service until end of July. Braun mentioned that local service has been
good, however problems exist at the national call center. Kathy explained that AT&T
Fort Collins have begun taking orders themselves and then relaying them to the
@Home call center because of problems with communication and accurate information
from the call center. Currently 1500 homes are receiving the @Home service.
Braun mentioned that the postcard sent by AT&T that notified people of node
certification and availability of @Home services was helpful.
Asked the price of the service, Kathy quoted $29 per month for people with their own
cable modems, and $39.95 for those who want AT&T to supply the modem.
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Braun asked about amnesty period for theft of cable service. Kathy reported there was
a large amount of theft discovered during the upgrade. Crews can discover theft
because of leakage problems. When the theft is discovered, AT&T sends a warning,
then follows up with further action if required.
She also mentioned that AT&T local telephone service has a 20% penetration in areas
where it is available, and that AT&T id testing some open access situations in Boulder.
Kathy mentioned that she has requested funds in her 2001 budget to begin offering
local phone service in the Fort Collins community.
Larry Bontempo asked whether AT&T would work with developers that install fiber in
developments and want to lease it back to AT&T for cable service. Kathy indicated that
in the past, the company has not been too open to that approach, but that if the fiber
were at specification, she would consider making an arrangement with a developer.
Kathy reported about 59 people have taken advantage of AT&T's offer to bring in their
satellite dish in exchange for 2 months of free cable and free install, a $200 value.
Council Policy agenda draft. Liz Stroh introduced the draft of the City Council's Policy
Agenda for Telecommunications. Chair Greg Smith opened the discussion by
reminding board members that this was essentially the same information contained in
the previous year's policy. The Board did not have questions or concerns, and a motion
to recommend that Council adopt the Telecommunications legislative policy was made
by Howard Lowell, seconded by Braun Mincher. The vote was unanimous to approve
draft as submitted.
Attendance policy. The Board reviewed the changes made by City Council regarding
attendance of members at meetings. Board members are familiar with the policy and
acknowledged that Board practices were in line with the policy.
Other business. None
Adjournment
Howard Lowell made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Braun. Vote was unanimous.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM
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