09-08-2016 SWCSR MIN Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission
Thursday, September 8, 2016, 1:00 p.m.
Buffalo City Hall
Present: Chair Tina Allard, Commissioners Mert Auger, Shane Fineran, Phil Kern,
Makenzie Krause, Rachel Leonard, Dan Madsen, Annita Smythe, and Gina
Wolbeck.
Absent: Terri Boese and Lee Ann Yager.
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 - February 4, 2016
Commissioner Smythe motioned to approve the February 4, 2016 Sherburne Wright
Cable Commission Meeting Minutes with a correction to the Election of Officers
appointing Phil Kern as Vice Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Kern, 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. Discussion was held that as no
rebate has been done in 2016, a rebate of two quarters would be appropriate.
Commissioner Wolbeck motioned to approve a rebate of two quarters of franchise
fees to each member city. Seconded by Commissioner Fineran, unanimous ayes,
motion carried.
Commissioner Leonard discussed including other providers in the rebate of franchise
fees.
Commissioner Kern motioned to authorize the rebate of franchise fees for all
providers provided the fees can be broken out. Seconded by Commissioner
Wolbeck, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
4. Attorney's Report
a. Charter Update - Bob Vose reviewed staffing changes at Charter Communications
noting that Tom Bordwell has again been appointed as their government relations
representative. Bordwell was very responsive previously and will be good to work with.
Sherburne Wright Cable Commission
Meeting Minutes from 09-08-16
Page 2 of 3
b. Franchise Requests in Commission Member Cities - Vose informed the Commission
that Frontier in Delano has made application to provide video services, and Century
Link is rolling out a competitive video product in the Twin Cities. Vose noted that
Charter has contested the Frontier Franchise Agreement and the Commission discussed
their concern with the Commission's liability of contesting future franchises. The
Commission is insured through the League of MN Cities Insurance Trust and if the
Commission is sued, the League Insurance Trust should kick-in. It was also discussed
that the suit would most likely be against the specific member City and the League
insurance does cover franchise litigation minus a deductible. The Commission directed
review of the policy by the Executive Committee to ensure terms are consistent.
Discussion was held on if Frontier is granted a franchise, that they would be required
to provide programming for the government channel and SWTV.
Commissioner Kern motioned to direct the Executive Committee to review policy
verbiage and to report back to the Commission for consideration. Seconded by
Commissioner Leonard , unanimous ayes, motion carried.
c. Hi-Definition - Vose provided an update on Hi-Definition. Frontier offers H.D. and
S.D. and the commission still wants Charter to offer H.D. The Charter deal is done in
St. Cloud, but now they are not willing to offer it to other MN Franchises. The
Commission will be required to do a Needs Assessment approximately three years prior
to renewal.
5. Equipment Report - Bill Bruce presented the equipment report. Bruce discussed the VieBit
Upgrade, school outreach efforts, the Nexus HD Upgrade, summer productions and Movie
in the Park events. Bruce also discussed the trailer file recorder, volunteer appreciation and
outreach, and reviewed equipment repairs and upgrades in member cities.
6. Programming Report - Mark Davis presented the programming report. Davis discussed
programming projects completed during the summer months for member cities including
Movie in the Park events, parades, coronations, and music concerts. Davis also reported on
the City Works Public Safety video, Expo's, and various projects completed for member
cities.
7. Commission Business
a. Employee Committee Update - Gina Wolbeck provided an employee committee
update. Committee Members met prior to the September 8`'' Commission Meeting
and conducted an employee review for Mark Davis. The Committee recommended the
following: 1) continuing to work with Big Lake on the public safety City Works video
with completion by December 31, 2016, 2) Start the process for the next City Works
video, 3) Start up monthly updates again and continue on a regular basis, 4) continue
with live shoots in each community on a regular basis including sporting events, and 5)
the committee proposed a 2% increase effective January 1, 2017.
Commissioner Wolbeck motioned to approve a 2% salary increase for Mark Davis
effective January 1, 2017. Seconded by Commissioner Auger, unanimous ayes,
motion carried.
b. Charter Invoices - Bill Bruce reminded member cities not pay any invoice charges from
Charter relating to cable until the commission Attorney Robert Vose completes
discussions on this issue with Charter.
Sherburne Wright Cable Commission
Meeting Minutes from 09-08-16
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8. Upcoming Meeting Date - The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday,
December 1, 2016 to be held in Delano.
9. Adj u - eeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
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Chair, Tina Al ar Secretary, Gina Wolbeck