12-01-2016 SWCSR MIN Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission
Thursday, December I, 2016, 1:00 p.m.
Delano City Hall
Present: Chair Tina Allard, Commissioners Mert Auger, Terri Boese, Shane Fineran, Phil
Kern, Makenzie Krause, Rachel Leonard, Annita Smythe, Gina Wolbeck, and
LeeAnn 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 - September 8, 2016
Commissioner Kern motioned to approve the September 8, 2016 Sherburne Wright
Cable Commission Meeting Minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner
Leonard, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
3. Treasurer's Report
a. Financial Statements - Mert Auger presented the financial statements as outlined in the
staff report.
Commissioner Yager motioned to accept the December Treasurer's Report as
presented. Seconded by Commissioner Boese, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
4. Attorney's Report
a. Charter Update - Bob Vose discussed Charter notices some member cities have received
that state that some services will be revoked. Vose reviewed what services Charter is
required to provide through Franchise Agreements and noted that no one locally at
Charter could clarify what services were going to be revoked. Commissioners discussed
concerns that the entire system could go down if we take a wait and see stance. It was
also discussed the need to be clear about expectations during the next Franchise
negotiation. Staff was directed to hold off on any further actions at this time.
b. Franchise Requests in Commission Member Cities - Vose informed the Commission
that Frontier has applied for Franchise Agreements with the cities of Delano and
Watertown. Commissioners discussed a Franchise Agreement Application fee/escrow
and reviewed City and Commission responsibilities for processing these types of
applications. The SWCC will lead the application process with member cities making
the final approval of applications pertaining to their specific city. Discussion was also
held on setting the term for any future franchise agreements to mirror Charter
franchise agreement terms so that all will renew at the same time.
Commissioner Auger motioned to set a Commission Wide Franchise Application
Fee of $10,000 with an Escrow of$5,000, payable to the Sherburne Wright Cable
Commission at time of application. Seconded by Commissioner Wolbeck,
unanimous ayes, motion carried.
5. Equipment Report - Bill Bruce presented the equipment report. Bruce discussed the 2.0
VieBit upgrade, install of the Leightronix IncodeX Vier, plans for phasing out DVD
recorders, the need to change out the Smart Sympodium equipment to the Kramer VIA
Connect PRO system due to the Smart Sympodium equipment no longer being sold, and
Sherburne Wright Cable Commission
Meeting Minutes from 12-01-16
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reviewed upgrades in Watertown. Bruce also discussed outreach events, equipment repairs,
and upgrades in various member cities.
Commissioner Auger motioned to approve the purchase of Nexus-HD and 2-TB Raid
Drive Systems in the amount of $26,849.50 for Delano and Elk River. Seconded by
Commissioner Fineran, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
6. Programming Report - Mark Davis presented the programming report. Davis discussed
programming projects completed during the fall months for member cities including
football games, and candidate forums, and reviewed volunteer recruitment. Davis also noted
that due to Watertown's Tricaster failing, he brought the trailer to record their School
board and City Council Meetings and has also filled in as needed for Council Meetings in
Buffalo, Big Lake, and Dassel. Davis also reported on the City Works Public Safety video.
7. Commission Business
a. Staff Memo's - Commissioners requested that in the future, staff provide their memo's
prior to Commission meetings.
8. Upcoming Meeting Date -The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March
9, 2017 to be held in the Dassel History Center
9. Adjourn - Meeting adjourned at 2:38 p.m.
Chair, Tina Allard Secretary, Gina Wolbeck