Minutes_Cable TV Commission 10.23.24 Copyrighted
December 2, 2024
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: Cable TV Commission of October 23, 2024; City Council
Proceedings of November 18, 2024; Community
Development Advisory Commission of October 16, 2024;
Equity and Human Rights Commission of October 8, 2024;
Five Flags Civic Center Advisory Commission of September
9, 2024; Historic Preservation Commission of October 17,
2024; Library Board of Trustees Update of October 24, 2024;
Park and Recreation Commission of October 15, 2024;
Zoning Advisory Commission of October 2, 2024; Zoning
Board of Adjustment of October 24, 2024.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Cable TV Commission Minutes
2. 11 18 24 City Council Minutes
3. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
4. Equity and Human Rights Commission Minutes
5. Five Flags Civic Center Commission Minutes
6. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
7. Library Board of Trustees Update
8. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
9. Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
10. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
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APPROVED MINUTES OF CABLE TV COMMISSION MEETING
Oct. 23, 2024
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 350 W. SIXTH ST.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jennifer Tigges (Chair), Georgina Guerrero Galvan, Pauline
Maloney, Ron Tigges
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT:
• Randy Gehl, City of Dubuque Public Information Officer
• Felicia Carner, City of Dubuque Multimedia Specialist
JTigges called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
Acceptance of the Agenda
• Upon a motion by Maloney, seconded by Guerrero Galvan, the agenda was
accepted by a vote of 4 - 0.
Approval of the Minutes of Feb. 28, 2024, Meeting
• Upon a motion by RTigges, seconded by Maloney, minutes of the Feb. 28, 2024,
meeting were approved 4 - 0.
Oath of Office for Commissioner Jennifer Tigges
• JTigges recited and signed her oath of office.
Public Input
• Dubuque resident and Mediacom customer Clete Gartner of 410 Maplewood Dr.
addressed the commission regarding his concerns with Mediacom customer
services and questions of regulatory oversight of Mediacom. Mr. Gartner detailed
his experience with cable service issues and disruptions related to Mediacom's
decision to require all customers to have a box for video service. He cited issues
with finding phone numbers for service and in-person experiences with
Mediacom staff, at his residence and at the Mediacom office. Mr. Gartner also
described his communications with the lowa Utility Board (IUB) and their
insistence that the IUB does not have regulatory authority over Mediacom
despite the fact that the IUB issued the state franchise to Mediacom to operate in
Dubuque. Commissioners sympathized with Mr. Gartner's experience, explained
their understanding of the state franchise and regulatory authority and their lack
and the City's lack of regulatory authority in the matter, and offered suggestions
and phone numbers for future issues with Mediacom service.
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PEG Equipment Grant Program Update
• Carner and Gehl introduced and explained their recommended changes to
improve the processes related to the PEG Equipment Grant Program, including a
review of draft documents detailing those changes.
• Highlights of the recommended changes include the creation of two separate
processes, one for community members and one for PEG channel operators.
Other details included the conversion of the process to an annual grant cycle for
community member applications, a maximum number of grants awarded per year
and maximum grant amounts, required minimum amounts of programming for
grant recipients, and clarification of equipment eligible through the program and
ownership of equipment purchased through the program.
• Significant discussion followed with feedback and suggestions from
commissioners. Staff agreed to incorporate feedback and provide revised drafts
for commissioner review and consideration of approval at a future meeting. Staff
will also ask the City Attorney's Office to review the documents.
PEG Channel Guidelines
• Carner explained the goals of the Dubuque Cable Access Policy and Procedures
Guidelines document she developed, based on research and review of policies
used by other communities. The document outlines policies and procedures for
submission of programming for local PEG channels as well as program content
and restrictions, as well as enforcement. Commissioners expressed support for
the guidelines. Staff will ask the City Attorney's Office to review and submit a final
draft to the commission for their consideration at a future meeting.
PEG Programming Report
• Gehl provided an update on new public access programming received from grant
recipients since the February 29, 2024, commission meeting.
• The Dubuque County Historical Society submitted 10 new programs with a total
runtime of approximately 123 minutes.
• The Glasshouse, LLC received their equipment at the beginning of March 2024.
Since then, they submitted one program with an approximate runtime of 8
minutes. They report they intend to submit another program by November 1.
• Art4Us received their equipment at the beginning of March 2024 and committed
to submitting programming by July 1, 2024; however, they have not submitted
any programming and have stopped responding to City staff communication
requesting updates.
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• Gehl said the City expects updated programming from the Dubuque Community
School District and Loras College is expected when the City requests the 2024
programming report at the end of the year.
Staff Report
• Carner asked the commission for their support in the initiation of discussions with
PEG channel operators regarding developing a formal channel operator
agreement and on the future of PEG programming and channels in Dubuque as
streaming and video services continue to evolve. Commissioners expressed
support for these discussions to begin. Staff will initiate and keep the commission
updated.
Adjournment
• Upon a motion by Maloney, seconded by Guerrero Galvan, and 4-0 vote, the
meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
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