12-19-2018 SWCSR MIN Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission
Wednesday, December 19, 2018, 1:00 p.m.
(Buffalo City Hall)
Present: Chair Tina Allard (Elk River), Vice Chair Gina \Vo]beck (Big Lake), Commissioners
Mert Auger (Buffalo), Andrew Carlson (Cokato), Paula Bauman (Delano), LecAnn
Yager (Maple Lake) and Rachel Leonard (Monticello).
Absent: "Terri Boese (Dassel), Dan Madsen (Rockford),Shane Fineran (Watertown).
Also present: Technology Consultant Bill Bruce, Attorney Bob Vose, Charter Representative
Patrick I laggerty.
1. Call to Order—Chair Allard called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Attorney's Report
a. Charter Restructuring Resolution — Vose distributed a resolution to address Charter's
requested internal restructuring. "The joint Powers Agreement grants authority to the
Commission to consent to this type of restructuring involving internal subsidiaries rather
than requiring resolutions from all member cities. Vose recommended approval of the
resolution.
Commissioner Auger motioned to approve Resolution No. 2018-01 consenting to
transfer of a cable franchise. Seconded by Commissioner Yager, unanimous ayes,
motion carried.
b. Charter Franchise Renewal—Vose provided a summary of the franchise renewal process
to this point. He negotiated with Charter on the collective behalf of the SWCC cities, but
noted each city must approve the franchise agreement and cable ordinance individually.
Vose highlighted the main components of the new agreement. Most terms stay the same,
including the 15-year term, availability of 2 PEG channels, and PEG fee of 85 cents per
subscriber. The changes in the new franchise agreement include updates to high definition
for PEG channels,language addressing competitor franchise agreements, removal of
right-of-way language,and limits to number of complimentary service sites and set-top
boxes.
Commissioner\V'olbeck asked about the performance bond in the agreement. Vose
confirmed it's a single performance bond in the amount of$50,000 that is available to all
commission cities.
Discussion ensued regarding the best way to bring the agreements forward to the
respective city council in each community. Commissioner Wolbeck suggested bringing
consistent information forward. Commissioner Auger noted the information should
include a recommendation from the Cable Commission as well as the memo provided by
the attorney. Mr. Vose stated there are two documents for approval, the franchise
agreement and the cable ordinance. Both need to be enacted as ordinances and he
provided summary ordinances for each city to adapt as needed.
Commissioner Allard asked about outstanding balances accrued during the dispute about
cable boxes during the negotiations. Bill Bruce said he thought this had been addressed
but would work with the attorney and any city with a remaining balance.
Commissioner Allard also asked about the timeline for approval. Vose requested cities act
to approve the ordinances within the first quarter of 2019.
finally,Vose stated his opinion that this is a good agreement that retains what the
commission needs. He recommended the commission move forward with recommending
approval.
Sherburne Wright Cable Commission
Meeting Minutes from 12-19-18
Page 2 of 2
Commissioner Wolbeck motioned to recommend all SWCC cities approve the
cable ordinance and Charter franchise renewal. Seconded by Commissioner
Carlson, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
9. Adour - 1eeting adjourned at 1:38 p.m.
Chair,Tina Allard Sccre rt,Rachel I corlon]