2.a. SWCSR 02-04-2016 Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission
Thursday, November 5, 2015, 1:00 p.m.
Big Lake City Hall
Present: Chair Tina Allard, Commissioners Mert Auger, Kitty Baltos,Jim Bart, Terri Boese,
Phil Kern,Annita Smythe, Gina Wolbeck, and Lee Ann Yager.
Absent: Dan Madsen.
Also present: Technology Consultant Bill Bruce, Attorney Bob Vose, and Video Production
Coordinator Mark Davis.
1. Call to Order- Chair Tina Allard called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes—August 6,2015
Commissioner Kern motioned to approve the August 6, 2015 Sherburne Wright Cable
Commission Meeting Minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Jim Bart,
unanimous ayes,motion carried.
3. Treasurer's Report
a. Financial Statements - Mert Auger presented the financial statements as outlined in the
staff report. No action taken.
b. Return of Franchise Fees -Auger also discussed that the return of Franchise Fees to each
member city would be appropriate at this time. Auger noted that cities should expect to
see the return by the end of November. Auger also informed the Commission that the
next payment is projected to be in March 2016.
Commissioner Kern motioned to approve a rebate of the December 3, 2015
payment to each member city. Seconded by Commissioner Bart, unanimous ayes,
motion carried.
4. Attorney's Report
a. Charter/Time Warner Update - Commission Attorney Bob Vose explained that the
assignment requires the Commission's consent for the merger of Charter/Time Warner.
Vose also noted that the company will continue to be branded as Charter. Discussion was
held that the converter changes have been a hindrance to the member cities and that
Charter has proposed adjustments identified in the letter to the Commission dated
October 29, 2015. Vose noted that the Commission will need to discuss how the
converter boxes will be billed in the future noting that numbers will be provided for each
city at the next meeting. Also discussed was the possibility to centralize billings for
converter boxes, and that reinstituting charges in 2016 does not comply with franchise
agreements.
Commissioner Auger motioned to approve Resolution No. 2015-01 consenting to
change of control over Cable Franchisee. Seconded by Commissioner Bart,
unanimous ayes,motion carried.
5. Equipment Report - Bill Bruce presented the equipment report. Bruce discussed the audio
system in the trailer, upgrades to the cable runs, and noted that issues with archived video
projects have been addressed by adding network attached storage to both the trailer and also
for footage produced individually. Bruce also reviewed various equipment repairs and
upgrades.
Sherburne Wright Cable Commission
Meeting Minutes from 1 1-05-15
Page 2 of 2
6. Programming Report - Mark Davis presented the programming report. Davis discussed
programming projects completed during the fall months for member cities including football
games, movie in the park events, parades, Buffalo's Operation Bounce Back shoot, Dassel's
Symphonic Orchestra shoot, an Elvis shoot in Delano, and a controlled fire burn in Delano.
Davis noted that he has been filling in as a producer in Monticello, and has been working on
the Sewer City Works video. Davis reviewed upcoming projects including the Big Lake
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon presentation and upcoming basketball games.
7. Commission Business
a. Employee Committee Update — Gina Wolbeck provided an employee committee update.
Committee Members met prior to the November 5 Commission Meeting and conducted a
follow up employee review for Mark Davis. The Committee discussed the status of the
items identified in the development plan set at the August 6, 2015 committee meeting.
The new Committee recommendations included: 1) continuing to work with Elk River on
the sewer City Works video with completion by December 1, 2015, 2) Start the process
for the public safety City Works video, 3) continue searching for educational
opportunities, 4) continue with live shoots in each community on a regular basis, and 5)
the committee proposed a 2% increase effective immediately with a discussion evaluating
wages sometime in 2016.
Commissioner Wolbeck motioned to approve a 2% salary increase for Mark Davis
effective immediately. Seconded by Commissioner Auger, unanimous ayes,
motion carried.
b. Bill Bruce reviewed the proposed job description and hiring of a student intern from the
U of M Journalism School. Committee Members discussed the benefits of Mark
enhancing his editing/shooting skills and the possibility of utilizing Bobby from Delano
to assist in this area.
8. Upcoming Meeting Date-The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday,February
4,2016, tentatively to be held in Maple Lake.
9. Adjourn-Meeting adjourned at 2:17 p.m.
Chair,Tina Allard Secretary, Gina Wolbeck