Minutes Cable Teleprogr 3 6 01MINUTES OF CABLE COMMUNITY TELEPROGRAMMING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 6, 2001
CITY HALL ANNEX CONFERENCE ROOM # I
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Sr. Carol Hoverman, Paul Kohl, Jennifer Tigges, David
Wanamaker
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Anthony Allen, two seats remain vacant on the Commission
Jim Barefoot, AT & T Broadband
Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
Ms. Tigges called the meeting to order at 5:34 P.M.
1. Acceptance of the Agenda.
It was moved by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Mr. Wanamaker, the agenda was
accepted as published.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the February 6, 2001 Meeting.
Upon a motion by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Mr. Kohl, the Minutes of the
February 6, 200'1 Commission meeting were approved as distributed.
3. Public Comment.
Mr. Barefoot read excerpts from an e-mail message he had received from a
former teacher in Dubuque who had moved to Seattle, and who was not
impressed with the public access opportunities in that area. The teacher
commended Jim for the access operation in Dubuque.
4. Promotion.
Ms. Tigges has received the program schedule to place on the website and
the Commission discussed topics for articles for a newsletter, including reviews
of access programs currently airing, reminder of the ability to custom schedule
and access program airing for a viewer as needed, and others.
5. Franchise Transfer to Mediacom.
Mr. Crawford briefed the Commissioners on the information which has been
received so far regarding Mediacom and AT & T's intent to sell its cable
systems in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Georgia. He answered Commissioner
questions about the franchise transfer process and told them that the City of
Dubuque would most likely cooperate with other affected communities in
gathering general information about Mediacom's financial, legal, and technical
qualifications to operate the cable systems they propose to acquire.
Access Equipment Expenditures and Disposal of Old Equipment.
Mr. Barefoot told Commissioners that following a telephone conversation
between Mr. Crawford and Jori Koebrick, it is apparent that the process of
authorizing the purchase of access equipment is again moving forward and
equipment should be purchased shortly.
He also told Commissioners that Rex Lawrence of ECS in Davenport had visited
the AT & T facility and had helped to identify which items of old equipment
should be thrown away, which may be resold, etc.
Due to the time and pending loss of a quorum, the Commission agreed to move
to Item # 8, AT & T Broadband Report.
AT & T Broadband Report.
Mr. Barefoot distributed copies of his written report and highlighted items of
access use for the month of February 2001.
Cable Franchise Administrator Report.
Mr. Crawford told Commissioners that other than the pending City Council final
budget hearing at 6:30 P.M., he had nothing further to report.
Cable Franchise Renewal.
Mr. Crawford told Commissioners that the Cable TV Regulatory Commission
would like to schedule a joint work session with the Teleprogramming
Commission regarding needs for public, education and government access in the
renewed franchise. The Commissioners discussed the prospect of holding such
a work session at the AT & T studio facilities, perhaps with pizza, and perhaps
with an open invitation to access users and other interested parties to come and
share their opinions.
Mr. Wanamaker left the meeting at 6:1 5 P.M. and a quorum was lost.
MC/cj
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