HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 09/17/2007TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
September 17, 2007
6:00 PM
Council Liaison: David Roy
Staff Liaison: Tom Vosburg, Management Information Services; 221-6224
Board Chair: Curt Cramer
Vice Chair: Herb Saperstone
Present: Curt Cramer, Wayne Wiemerslage, Chip Cushman, David Heiberg
Joe Schneider
Absent: Herb Saperstone
Staff: Tom Vosburg, Liz Stroh
Chair Curt Cramer called the meeting to order at 6: 10 PM.
Public Input:
None
Minutes:
Chip Cushman moved to approve the minutes from the July meeting.
David Heilberg seconded the motion.
There was a comment that the Board minutes appeared to be unedited and there was a
question by a board member what was meant by the phase " correct allowed" in reference
to the July minutes. Staff replied they were not sure, but assumed that it meant to reflect
the minutes were accepted and approved.
The July minutes were unanimously approved by the Board.
WIFI Project Update
Staff provides the Board with a general update regarding the WIFI project. Staff reported
that the launching of Phase 1, the Downtown pilot went well, and that staff were now
working on the for consulting assistance to design the expanded trial. Staff also reported
on the general the content of a recent Wireless Communities Summit, as we all as recent
FCC announcements regarding the reservation of spectrum in the 700 Mhz. range to
support a nationwide wireless system for public safety. Staff commented that the planned
availability of that spectrum may simplify the evaluation of the City's potential uses of
WIFI by taking major public safety applications off the table. Staff indicated it now
appears the primary focus of the City's operational use of WIFI would be for automatic
meter reading, augmentation of the traffic system control network, and transit related
functions.
There was a robust and far ranging discussion regarding general issues and opportunities
related to WIFI and broadband service provision in Fort Collins generally.
Staff committed to keep the board in up to date regarding project status at future
meetings.
Cable TV Service Customer Service Standards
Staff introduced the new issue regarding the City's Cable TV Franchise Customer
Service standards to the Board. Staff reviewed how the City adopted by ordinance
certain requirements related to Customer Service Standards for Cable Television service
providers, rather than attempting to address these issue with in the cable franchise
document. The intent of this approach was to allow the standards to be revised and
adjusted in response to issues with out having to open up the franchise document.
Staff shared with the Board that some Councilmembers expressed concerns and
frustration that information about the availability of the `Basic- Basic" service option was
not easy to find on Comeast's web site, not is appear to be promoted to the public in a
manner similar to other service options. As a result of these concerns, staff is initiating a
project to explore to potential to revise the City's cable TV provider customer service
standard ordinance to require more consistent visibility and marketing low cost service
options.
There was a general discussion regarding issue related to the City amending the customer
service standards. One board member asked if it might be possible for the City to market
the availability of the Basic -Basic package on behalf of Comcast. Staff replied that there
were a variety of ways the City could do that, but expressed concerns about the ability to
provide on -going marketing of that service option.
Staff indicated that representatives from Comcast are scheduled to attend the October
Telecommunications Board Meeting to provide an annual report of service activities as
required in the Franchise. Staff indicated that an additional agenda item at that meeting
will be a discussion of the costumer service standards issue, and out intent to involve
Comcast representatives in that discussion with the Board. Staff will provide the Board
with a memo outlining the issues and framing options at the October meeting.
Other Business
There was no other business.
Chip Cushman moved to Adjourn the meeting.
Wayne Wiemerslage seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.
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