Loading...
2.A. SWCSR 08-04-2011 Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission • Thursday, May 5, 201 I, 1:00 p.m. Cokato Library Present: Chair Myles McGrath, Commissioners Cathy Shuman,Don Levens,Nancy Carswell, Gina Wolbeck,Mert Auger,Linda Hruby, and Tina Allard Absent: Commissioners Phil Kern and Luke Fischer Also present: Technology Consultant Bill Bruce,Video Production Coordinator Mark Davis,and Attorney Bob Vose 1. Call to Order Chair McGrath called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SHUMAN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LEVENS TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 3 AND FEBRUARY 24,2011 MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Treasurer's Report a. Financial Statements • MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LEVENS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALLARD TO APPROVE THE FINANICAL STATEMENTS AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Equipment Report Commissioner Wolbeck and Attorney Vose arrived at 1:05 p.m. Mr. Bruce provided an update as outlined in his report. He reviewed the proposed interactive logo. He discussed the screen replacement for the outdoor movie screen. The Commission discussed whether insurance could cover the cost for replacement of the screen. Mr. Bruce is to submit the information to Commissioner Auger who would check into the insurance. There was discussion on an equipment replacement schedule and with switching all equipment from XP to Windows 7. Mr. Bruce noted that video equipment doesn't change out like office equipment and can be more difficult to fit into a replacement schedule. MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LEVENS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HRUBY TO APPROVE THE EQUIPMENT PURCHASES OUTLINED IN THE STAFF REPORT. MOTION CARRIED 8-0. 4. Attorney's Report • a. Updates Attorney Vose had no updates. 050511 cable Page 2 of 3 • b. Windstream Status Information Attorney Vose provided an update on the Windstream issue occurring in Big Lake and Maple Lake. He stated it was the direction of the Executive Committee to pursue the issue but to not move forward with any legal action at this point.Attorney Vose stated Windstream is in violation of their franchise agreements with these two cities. He stated the company has responded and informed him that they want to terminate their contract and start providing satellite service to its customers. Attorney Vose reviewed the following three issues: 1. Damages for breaking the contract. 2. Loss of local PEG programming to customers. 3. Bundling of services equality. Area Wide Channel Mr.Bruce noted he was having trouble with knowing who he needs to communicate with at Charter in order to get the area wide channel activated. 6. Programming Report Mr. Davis provided an update of his previous quarter of work as outlined in the staff report. • 7. Commission Business a. Charter Communications Representative Discussion on whether Charter would have a representative at future meetings. It was noted they could sometimes provide helpful information such as on programming topics. b. Discussion Regarding Continued Role of Commission in Windstream Franchises Commissioner Wolbeck stated the city's big concerns are viewership and money. She stated 3/4 of Big Lake residents are currently in the Windstream viewing area. She stated she is unsure how supportive the Council would be to pursue legal action on their own. Commissioner Hruby agreed and noted that 1/3 of Maple Lake's residents were in the Windstream viewing area. Attorney Vose noted that the claims of the parties are not similar(the parties would be the Commission as a whole and the cities of Big Lake and Maple Lake. There was discussion on how to get city meetings and other information out to residents in these viewing areas. Attorney Vose noted that depending how things go at Monday's meeting with Windstream,the next steps in the process could be a legal notice and public hearing. • The Commission asked Attorney Vose to put together an outline that would be helpful to the commission. 0505 I I cable Page 3 of 3 It was noted that there were some outage issues with Windstream channels with the turn off of boxes at City Hall in these two cities. c. Commission Interest in MACTA Membership Chair McGrath noted if anyone had an interest in joining MACTA to let him know and he would add it to the next agenda. Attorney Vose noted the benefit would mostly be when there are legislative issues that arise. Other Business Commissioner Shuman noted 11)S is requesting a cable franchise in Monticello and this topic will most likely be on the next commission agenda. 8. Upcoming Meeting Dates The next commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday,August 4,2011 in Maple Lake. 9. Adjourn The Sherburne Wright Cable Commission meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Minutes prepared by Commission Secretary Tina Allard. Secretary,Tina Allard Chair,Myles McGrath 411