2.0.A SWCSR 04-22-2021Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission
Thursday, April 23, 2020, 1:00 p.m.
(Buffalo City Hall)
Present: Chair Tina Allard (Elk River), Vice Chair Gina Wolbeck (Big Lake), Commissioners
Mert Auger (Buffalo), Laureen Bodin (Buffalo), Terri Boese (Dassel), Phil Kern
(Delano), Rachel Leonard (Monticello), Audra Etzel (Rockford), Shane Fineran
(Watertown)
Absent: Andrew Carlson (Cokato), Sabrina Hille (Maple Lake)
Also present: Technology Consultant Bill Bruce, Attorney Bob Vose, Production Coordinator
Jackson Groskruetz
1. Call to Order – Chair Allard called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes – August 15, 2019
Commissioner Wolbeck made a motion to approve the August 15, 2019 minutes as
presented. Seconded by Commissioner Boese, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
3. Treasurer’s Report
a. Financial Statements – Treasurer Mert Auger presented the financial statements as outlined
in the staff report. He noted a balance of $548,372.04.
Commissioner Fineran made a motion to accept the financials. Seconded by
Commissioner Wolbeck, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
b. Return of Franchise Fees – Treasurer Auger recommended returning franchise fees to the
cities for the next two quarters, subject to review of the account balance. Commissioner
Kern spoke in support of the recommendation as it is consistent with commission
precedent and will help cities handle an uncertain financial future during the COVID-19
pandemic.
Commissioner Kern made a motion to refund franchise fees for the next two quarters
to the cities. Seconded by Commissioner Boese, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
c. Approval by consent of commissioners to have position of treasurer remain with the City
of Buffalo. Following Commissioner Auger’s retirement in April 2020, incoming
Commissioner Bodin will become treasurer.
4. Attorney’s Report
a. FCC Order 621 Update – Commission attorney Bob Vose reiterated the potential impacts
from the recent FCC order, but he noted Charter has not attempted to offset any costs yet.
No public position on the order from any of the large cable providers nationwide.
b. New Internet Providers – Mr. Vose highlighted a statewide influx of new, smaller wireless
and fiber optic internet providers. Commission cities have limited control over the
entrance of these companies into their communities since they are not seeking cable
franchise agreements.
c. Technology during COVID-19 Pandemic – Mr. Vose commented on how many
organizations are seeing the value of technology in real-time. He spoke about the
importance of the Commission’s work to provide a platform for virtual meetings, public
information, etc. and urged commission members to stay committed to this work going
forward.
Sherburne Wright Cable Commission
Meeting Minutes from 4-23-20
Page 2 of 2
5. Equipment Report
Bill Bruce provided the April 2020 equipment report. He highlighted recent system upgrades in
council chambers across the counties. He noted that most council chambers have been empty
due to the pandemic, and this has helped facilitate the improvements.
Mr. Bruce highlighted efforts to order equipment parts ahead of time and early in the COVID-
19 crisis. This has been important as supply and shipping delays have become more pronounced
around the world. He also noted the benefit of the relationships he’s cultivated with vendors
over the years. During this crisis, those relationships have been essential.
Finally, Mr. Bruce showed several photos to provide an overview of recent upgrades to council
chambers and meeting rooms in some of the Commission cities.
6. Production Report
Production Coordinator Jackson Groskruetz updated commissioners on activities since the last
meeting. He provided a video with footage from events over the last 6 months, highlighted
updated graphics and equipment, and noted Dassel’s use of SWCC to offer COVID-19 public
service announcements to their community.
7. Personnel Committee Report
Commissioner Wolbeck reported that Jackson Groskruetz has been working under the
supervision of Bill Bruce since October 2019. He will have his 6-month review with the
Personnel Committee in May 2020. Evaluation forms will be going out to Commission members
in the coming weeks.
8. Other Business
a. Retirement Recognition– Commission members took a moment to recognize the significant
contributions of Buffalo City Administrator and Commissioner Mert Auger in advance of
his upcoming retirement.
9. Adjourn - Meeting adjourned at 1:43 p.m.
Chair, Tina Allard Secretary, Rachel Leonard