02-02-2012 SWC MINMinutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission
Thursday, February 2, 2012, 1:00 p.m.
Monticello City Hall
Present: Chair Myles McGrath, Commissioners: Don Levens, Cathy Shuman, Mert Auger, Phil
Kern (1:10), Luke Fischer and Tina Allard.
Alternate Commissioners Gina Wolbeck and Mary Huettl
Absent: Commissioners Linda Hruby and Nancy Carswell
Also present: Technology Consultant Blll Bruce, Jeff O'Neil, Monticello City Administrator,
Attorney Bob Vose, and Video Production Coordinator Mark Davis
1. Call to Order
Chair McGrath called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes-November 3. 2011
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SHUMAN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LEVENS TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 3, 2011 MINUTES.
MOTION CARRIED 9-0.
3. Treasurer's Report
Commissioner Auger stated he received a quote (from the City of Buffalo's auditor) regarding
the performance of an audit for the Commission. He stated the audit seems high and
questioned the Commission as to whether they wanted to complete one this year.
The consensus of the Commission was to negotiate the cost of the audit proposal and
come back to the May Commission meeting with an update regarding the audit cost.
a. Financial Statements
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ALLARD AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER SHUMAN TO APPROVE THE FINANICAL
STATEMENTS AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 9-0.
4. Attorney's Report
There were no updates.
5. Equipment Report
Mr. Bruce presented his staff report. He noted they had a soft opening of SWTV Channel 19
and plan a grand opening event on Apri121, 2012. He stated Charter is willing to do a bill
sniffer regarding the channel promotion. He also stated he would like to order pizza for the
grand opening event.
It was noted that Channe176 has all the member city cable channels on it.
Commissioner Auger suggested the Commission consider how it wants to move forward with
equipment purchases in the future due to technology changes. He also questioned when the
local cable channels would go to high definition.
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Mr. Bruce discussed the changes in technology and the high costs associated with them. He
also noted that current equipment is starting to age and need replacement.
Mr. Kem stated he would like to see a written plan that outlines the basic expectation for each
city within the next year. He noted it would also help the cities in being more transparent to its
citizens.
Mr. Bruce stated he would gather information together. He stated the coming year equipment
replacement expenses would be approximately $75,000-80,000.
MOVE BY COMMISSION AUGER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
FISCHER TO APPROVE THE EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES AS OUTLINED
IN THE STAFF REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 9-0.
6. Programming Report
Mx. Davis presented his staff report. He stated his focus has been heavy on sports but he'd
like to do more community based programming. He stated video on demand for Channel 19 is
in the works.
Commissioner Auger stated he would like to see a video regarding the value of city services
that could be used by all the member cities.
Commissioners Auger and Kern will work out a script and assist Mx. Davis with the program.
Commission Business
a. Charter Communications Representative: Tom Bordwell
(1) Update on Area-Wide Channel
Mr. Bordwell was not present at the meeting.
b. Suggestion for Audit Request of Franchise and PEG Fees
Attorney Vose discussed the trend lately of cities completing an audit on cable
companies and the results of some of the audits. He discussed the process and
questioned the level of inquiry for the audit if the Commission decided to move
forward with one. Mr. Vose noted that franchise agreements were renewed about six
years ago and that Charter went through a bankruptcy and had some changes in their
accounting practices.
Mr. O'Neil distributed ahandout and discussed the deals that Charter is offering in
their community. He questioned how these discounted rates are allocated as it relates
to cable revenue.
It was questioned if all cable providers would have to be audited.
Attorney Vose stated they would not but it could be at the option of the cities with
more than one provider if they want to perform an audit on them.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KERN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LEVENS TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION
ATTORNEY TO PROCEED FORWARD WITH AN AUDIT, TO CHOOSE
AN AUDITOR, AND TO KEEP THE CHAIR UPDATED ON THE
PROGRESS. MOTION CARRIED 9-0.
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c. 2012 Movie in the Paxk Schedulinn
Movies in the park scheduling was determined.
d. Howard Lake Discussion
It was noted that a subcommittee of commission members met with Howard Lake and
was waiting for more information from Howard Lake. It was also noted that their
franchise agreement would need to be consistent with the current member tides
agreements.
S. Upcoming Meeting Dates
The next commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 3, 2011 in Big Lake.
9. Adjourn
The Sherburne Wright Cable Commission meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Minut prepared b Commission Secretary Tina Allard.
Secretary, Tina Allard
v
Ch ' •, Myles cGrath