2.0. SWCSR 02-01-2018 Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission
Thursday, April 6, 2017, 1:00 p.m.
Dassel History Center
Present: Chair Tina Allard (Elk River), Commissioners Mert Auger (Buffalo), Tracey Bauman
(Dassel), Phil Kern (Delano), Rachel Leonard (Monticello), Annita Smythe (Cokato),
and Gina Wolbeck (Big Lake). Commissioners Shane Fineran (Watertown), Dan
Madsen (Rockford), and LeeAnn Yager (Maple Lake) were absent. Also present Paula
Baumen from Delano.
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—December 1,2016
Commissioner Auger motioned to approve the December 1, 2016 Sherburne Wright
Cable Commission Meeting Minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner
Smythe,unanimous ayes,motion carried.
3. Treasurer's Report
a. Financial Statements - Mert Auger presented the financial statements as outlined in the
staff report.
Commissioner Wolbeck motioned to accept the April Treasurer's Report as
presented. Seconded by Commissioner Smythe,unanimous ayes,motion carried.
b. Commission Basic Cable Comp Service Update —Auger discussed issues with paying for
Charter bills for the comp basic cable service.
c. Return of Franchise Fees - Auger discussed that the return of Franchise Fees to each
member city would be appropriate at this time. Discussion was held that the last rebate
approved was in September 2016, and that a rebate of the last quarter of 2016 would be
appropriate.
Commissioner Leonard motioned to approve a rebate of all provider's 4th quarter
2016 franchise fees to each member city. Seconded by Commissioner Wolbeck,
unanimous ayes,motion carried.
4. Attorney's Report
a. Charter Converter Charges Update —Bob Vose discussed Charter converter box charges
which are linked to the free service at specific sites stipulation in each city's franchise
agreement.Vose discussed how the charges should be disclosed on each city's bills.
b. Charter Franchise Renewal Notice — Vose reviewed the status of the Charter Franchise
renewal. Commissioners discussed the need to keep the process informal and the possible
use of a subcommittee instead of bringing in a consultant.
Commissioner Auger motioned to direct the Commission Attorney to draft a letter
offering negotiation of renewal rather than proceeding with a formal process.
Seconded by Commissioner Kern,unanimous ayes,motion carried.
Sherburne Wright Cable Commission
Meeting Minutes from 04-06-17
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c. Small Cell Wireless Deployment Bill — Vose provided an update on the status of the
Industry Bill HF 739 that was seeking access of small cells facilities to the ROW, creating
a new class of ROW users, and limiting city ROW management and zoning rights. Vose
noted that the Bill has been voted out of the omnibus bill and commended the League of
MN Cities for their efforts to educate legislators on the negative impact this Bill would
have on MN cities.
d. Minnesota Franchise Fee Requirements Bill —Vose discussed newly imposed regulations
on gas and electric utilities regarding notifications and reverse referendum requirements.
Vose also noted that the League of MN Cities believes the Bill is going to pass.
e. Frontier Franchise Update —Vose informed the Commission that Frontier and Century
Link have put on hold applications they previously submitted to Delano and Watertown,
and at this point the projects don't appear to be moving forward. Vose noted that these
providers will more than likely be looking at "over the top" cable service designs in place
of in-ground infrastructure.
5. Equipment Report-Bill Bruce
a. Report—Bill Bruce provided the April 2017 equipment report. Bruce discussed Playback
System upgrades, Elk River water damage, the Maple Lake St. Patrick's Day Parade, new
VieBit Features,and reviewed equipment repairs and upgrades.
b. Equipment Purchase Requests — Bruce reviewed equipment purchase needs which
included lighting on both trailers and the production truck, edit system upgrades in Elk
River, a lectern upgrade in Monticello,replacement of the display monitors in Maple Lake
and Cokato,and the purchase of new switchers in Elk River,Delano,Buffalo,and SWTV.
Commissioner Kern motioned to approve Equipment Purchase requests as
presented at an amount not to exceed $17,201.56. Seconded by Commissioner
Smythe,unanimous ayes,motion carried.
6. Programming Report-Mark Davis
a. Report — Mark Davis presented the April 2017 programming report. Davis discussed
programming projects completed during the winter months for member cities including
finalization of the City Works Public Safety video.
b. Spring& Summer Production Schedule—Davis discussed upcoming video shoots,Movie
in the Park events,upcoming parades,concerts and coronations.
7. Commission Business
a. Movie Schedule—Mark Davis reviewed the summer Movie schedule.
b. Commission Record Retention — Commissioners discussed what documents are
considered official records of the Commission.
8. Upcoming Meeting Date - The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday,July 13,
2017 to be held in Monticello.
Sherburne Wright Cable Commission
Meeting Minutes from 04-06-17
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9. Adjourn-Meeting adjourned at 2:21 p.m.
Chair,Tina Allard Secretary,Gina Wolbeck